In observance of the Day of Remembrance for Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religious Beliefs or Convictions, Kaya Callas issued a statement emphasizing that 'all people have the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief.'
She expressed regret that nearly two-thirds of the world's population lives in countries where this right is seriously violated and trampled upon. Callas noted that millions of people are victims of intolerance, discrimination, hatred, hostility, and violence daily due to their actual or perceived religion or beliefs.
The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy called on all states to fight against discrimination and violence based on religion or belief, as well as to respect, protect, and uphold the exercise of this human right.
In her statement, which was also published in Arabic and Mandarin, she insisted that this also implies renouncing the criminalization of apostasy and the inadmissibility of abusing blasphemy laws.
According to Kaya Callas, as long as discrimination and violence persist, the responsibility lies with everyone to work 'constructively' towards a world where freedom, respect, tolerance, and peace for people of all religions become the norm.
The High Representative also stated that the EU and its Member States 'promote the right to freedom of religion or belief for all, everywhere' and are tirelessly working to protect this right.
In the same statement, she stressed that EU policy includes special initiatives to combat antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred, which are resolutely condemned everywhere, as well as discrimination and violence against Christians and members of other religious communities.
Beyond the EU, Callas highlighted that the bloc 'takes an active position within the United Nations,' presenting resolutions on the right to freedom of religion.
She added that projects are funded in other areas aimed, among other things, at strengthening civil society and institutions promoting freedom of religion or belief in Asia, supporting dialogue and peace to combat racial discrimination in the Sahel, and working with partners to promote religious coexistence.
The International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religious Beliefs or Convictions is observed annually on August 22 and was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.
The UN points out that this day 'condemns acts of intolerance and terrorism against persons belonging to different religious groups or minorities' and serves as a 'call for attention to actions threatening the values and principles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.'
The UN asserts that 'constructive dialogue of ideas, intercultural and interreligious dialogue is urgent to give way to a more tolerant world.'