Mr. Doudou Diène, UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance

The Commission is invited to make an urgent appeal to Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure that the promotion and development of secularism do not lead to a questioning or denial of the right of everyone, irrespective of religion, to participate in public life. In this context respect for religious and cultural pluralism implies acknowledgment, not only of the right but also of the vocation of religions and spiritual traditions to deliver opinions on the fundamental issues in society, in particular those relating to ethics, the family, marriage and life. (Report submitted by Mr. Doudou Diène, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Addendum 4, DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS AND GLOBAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT RACISM: ANTI-SEMITISM, CHRISTIANOPHOBIA AND ISLAMOPHOBIA. Page 17ff. Full text: http://daccessdds.un.org/)