UN Study on Status of Women & Religion or Belief-Background
Author: Womens UN Report Network
Date: May 15, 2006
Freedom of Religion or Belief and Traditions, is available on the WUNRN website
– http://wunrn.wpengine.com, in the official
French translation and the unofficial English version.
Religion or Belief, from his 1999 report to the UN Commission on Human
Rights (E/CN.4/1999/58) wrote: “Discrimination and intolerance against women,
supposedly prescribed by religion or tradition, must be resolutely condemned. To
that end, the Special Rapporteur reiterates his recommendation that a seminar
should be held on the status of women from the standpoint of religion,
traditions and human rights, so as not only to identify manifestations of
discrimination and intolerance, but also to formulate practical recommendations
and a plan of action for eradicating such practices.”
Three years later,
in 2002, the Special Rapporteur published a comprehensive report that is a nexus
between women’s rights and freedom of religion or belief. The Study on Freedom
of Religion or Belief and the Status of Women From the Viewpoint of Religion and
Traditions (E/CN.4/2002/73/add.2) is a significant UN document on intolerance
and discrimination against women based on religion and traditions. Published in
French, it was translated into English by Dr. John Taylor, of the NGO
Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Geneva.
6. In order to encourage reflection on and
analysis of matters of freedom of religion and belief, while giving greater
consideration to priority issues such as economic, social and cultural rights,
the right to development, gender issues and women’s rights, the Special
Rapporteur wishes to undertake an initial series of studies on the following
topics:
(a) Discrimination against women attributable
specifically to their status as women within churches and religions;
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
B. External factors
125. In acknowledging the need to lay the
foundations of prevention at the earliest opportunity, the Special Rapporteur
deems it a matter of priority to attack the dual scourge of extremism and
discrimination against women:
(b) Discrimination and intolerance against
women, supposedly prescribed by religion or tradition, must be resolutely
condemned. To that end, the Special Rapporteur reiterates his recommendation
that a seminar should be held on the status of women from the standpoint of
religion, traditions and human rights, so as not only to identify manifestations
of discrimination and intolerance, but also to formulate practical
recommendations and a plan of action for eradicating such practices.
____________________________________________________________________
Fifty-fifth
session
Item 11 (e) of the provisional
agenda
CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS,
INCLUDING RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE
Report submitted by Mr.
Abdelfattah Amor, Special Rapporteur, in
accordance with Commission on Human Rights resolution
1998/18
CONTENTS
Paragraphs
Introduction 1 –
2
I. INITIATIVES BY THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR TO IDENTIFY
LEGISLATION AND CONDUCT STUDIES IN THE FIELD OF TOLERANCE AND NON-DISCRIMINATION
CONCERNING RELIGION OR BELIEF AND TO DEVELOP A CULTURE OF
TOLERANCE 3 – 13
A. Legislation 3
– 5
B. Studies 6
C. Culture of tolerance 7 – 13
II. INITIATIVES BY STATES AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS 14 – 16
III. IN
SITU VISITS AND
FOLLOW-UP 17 – 22
IV. POSITION AS REGARDS COMMUNICATIONS SENT BY THE
SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR AND REPLIES RECEIVED FROM STATES SINCE THE COMMISSION’S
FIFTY-FOURTH SESSION 23 – 114
A. Summary of communications sent and replies
received 24 – 103
B. Analysis of communications 104 – 114
V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 115 – 127
A. Internal factors 118 – 122
B. External factors 123 – 127
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