Today, we observe the UN’s International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. The UN rightly states that “freedom of religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to peaceful assembly and the right to freedom of association are interdependent, interrelated and mutually reinforcing.
They are enshrined in articles 18, 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Upholding these rights plays an important role in the fight against all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief.
“The open, constructive and respectful debate of ideas, as well as interreligious, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, at the local, national, regional and international levels, can play a positive role in combating religious hatred, incitement and violence...
“There are continuing acts of intolerance and violence based on religion or belief against individuals, including against persons belonging to religious communities and religious minorities around the world, and the number and intensity of such incidents, are often of a criminal nature and may have international characteristics, and are increasing.”
Section 4 of Trinidad and Tobago’s 1976 Republican Constitution provides for freedom of conscience and religious belief and practice, including worship. It prohibits discrimination based on religion. T&T’s Equal Opportunity Act protects the right to freedom of religion. T&T’s laws prohibit actions that incite religious hatred and violence, acts of sedition and seditious intent.
Although the adherents of various religions/beliefs in T&T co-exist in relative harmony, we must do more to harness our religious diversity to build the common good. T&T’s Inter Religious Organisation must play a more active role in advocating for matters of religious and social concern, and promote interfaith dialogue/cooperation.
Since their establishment, the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) and the Equal Opportunity Tribunal (EOT) have dealt with a number of complaints/cases based on religious discrimination. Courts continue to uphold religious rights, eg of students over strict conformance to school dress codes - the right to wear the hijab, rakhi, or longer hair as a religious observance.
Our Government must do more to partner with faith communities to find solutions to local and global challenges. Faith communities can help build stronger democracies and more inclusive/sustainable/peaceful communities.
Years ago, Pope Francis urged us all to “pray that those who suffer discrimination and suffer religious persecution, may find in the societies in which they live the rights and dignity that comes from being brothers and sisters in the human family.”
Last year, Pope Leo XIV reminded us: “Every person’s right to religious freedom is not optional but essential. Religious freedom is the cornerstone of society, since it safeguards the moral space in which we may form and exercise our conscience.”
He went on to note that, when religious freedom is denied, people witness the slow disintegration of ethical and spiritual bonds within communities. He acknowledged that we live in a time of rising hostilities and violence “against those who hold different convictions, including Christians” (Vatican News).
The March 2026 Annual Report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom provides “a comprehensive assessment of the state of global freedom of religion or belief during 2025...The report emphasises that religious freedom remains under severe threat in many parts of the world, with millions of individuals facing violence, imprisonment, discrimination, or legal penalties because of their religious beliefs or practices.”
In May 2026, UN Human Rights issued a report to the Human Rights Council documenting religious-based violence, discrimination and incitement against Christians, Jews, Muslims and other religious minorities across the world, both online and offline.
The report reveals that “religious minorities are systematically pushed to the margins of public life, sometimes at the cost of their lives...
The report also highlights how artificial intelligence and predictive tools used by law enforcement are reinforcing discrimination. These data-driven systems frequently display significant biases that ‘adversely affect racial, ethnic and religious minorities in particular.’”
The 2026 report provides several recommendations, including to governments that are “urged to enact and enforce comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and to collect disaggregated data on religious hatred incidents.
Religious and political leaders are called to reject divisive rhetoric, champion dialogue, and translate shared principles of dignity into concrete acts of solidarity.”
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said: “There is an urgent need for religious leaders from all faiths to work together to promote the shared, universal principles of human dignity and compassion.”
Let’s support victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief.
Humanity is ONE.
