United Nations Special Rapporteur: ‘States should not use religious beliefs to justify women and LGBT+ rights violations’

The United Nations Special Rapporteur, Ahmed Shaheed presented his report on freedom of religion or belief to the Human Rights Council on 2 March. “I firmly reject any claim that religious beliefs can be invoked as a legitimate ‘justification’ for violence or discrimination against women, girls or LGBT+ people. The right to freedom of religion protects individuals and not religions as such,” he said in the report. (Image: UN Photo/Amanda Voisard)
Read more about the report.