Statement on the Abuse of Members of Religions by Non-State Actors, Including Terrorist Groups

As representatives of the international community, we stand together in condemning the systematic, ongoing, and egregious abuse of members of religions by terrorist and other violent, non-state actors.  We support international efforts to prevent and counter terrorism and related violent extremism.  We stand in solidarity with the victims of terrorism and we call on authorities to pursue justice and accountability in accordance with relevant international law.  We commit ourselves to working to counter intolerance and discrimination, continuing to support religious groups and other communities that have been subject to terrorist and extremist violence, and moving swiftly to hold perpetrators of such violence accountable for their crimes.

Underscoring that violent extremism and terrorism are not limited to any one nationality, religion, culture, region, or level of economic development, we urge all authorities to govern inclusively and with respect for equality under the law, without bias as to religious identity and without misusing the authorities of the state – including counterterrorism laws and the state security apparatus – to perpetrate repression of members of religious or other groups.  We urge civil society and faith leaders to come together and advocate for mutual understanding, respect for pluralism and tolerance, and recognition of human rights and human dignity, and we urge all governing authorities to permit and support such independent efforts.

Co-Signatories: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Moldova, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Oman, Paraguay, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Serbia, Slovakia, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan