Germany’s Special Representative for Religious Freedom and Worldviews, Thomas Rachel, has urged a renewed commitment to protecting freedom of religion and belief globally.
Speaking on Friday, Rachel highlighted a persistent pattern of violent attacks and persecution targeting individuals based on their faith or worldview. He emphasized that this freedom is not merely an abstract concept, but a fundamental right with life-or-death implications for many.
According to the Special Representative, numerous countries continue to witness violence, persecution, arbitrary detention, discrimination, hate speech and administrative harassment directed at individuals because of their religious or ideological convictions. He stressed the urgent responsibility of all states to fully protect religious minorities and hold perpetrators of discrimination and violence accountable.
Rachel also noted the potential for both religious communities and civil society organizations to actively contribute to bolstering religious freedom, thereby fostering peaceful coexistence. He affirmed his commitment to upholding the right of every individual to practice, change, or abstain from religion, either individually or within a community.
The representative further stated that in an era marked by rising authoritarianism and societal polarization, it is particularly crucial to safeguard democracy, the rule of law, empathy, humanity and open societal discourse.