Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right, which is replicated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, includes the freedom to change one’s religion or belief and the freedom, either alone or in community with others, to manifest one’s religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance in public or private.

Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. We are committed to promoting freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as the rights of persons belonging to religious minorities. This commitment to promoting freedom of religion and belief is reaffirmed in the Global Island strategy.

Ireland advocates for inclusive societies through our work with the UN Human Rights Council and, in particular, its universal periodic review of the human rights records of UN member states. We are also a member of the International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief, an informal cross-regional network which aims to encourage information sharing and co-operation between governments to discuss joint advocacy strategies for the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief internationally.

Ireland works within and alongside the EU to address the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities. We played a key role in the adoption of EU guidelines on freedom of religion or belief during our Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2013. The current EU action plan on human rights and democracy 2015-2019 includes express reference to the promotion of freedom of religion or belief. We will continue to work to ensure that freedom of religion or belief is addressed within the framework of EU external human rights policy.

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