International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

Ref: PRS 2026/08/1066

August 22, 2026

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

Acts of intolerance and violence based on religion or belief continue to target individuals, including members of religious communities and minorities, across the world. The number and intensity of such incidents—often criminal in nature and sometimes with international characteristics—are increasing. For this reason, the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/73/296, titled “International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief”, strongly condemning ongoing violence and acts of terrorism targeting individuals, including persons belonging to religious minorities, on the basis of or in the name of religion or belief.

In Libya, many human rights observers affirm that a significant portion of violations committed against victims stemmed from incitement and hate speech directed at individuals due to their religious, ideological, tribal, or political affiliations. Although Libya is among the few countries where violence based explicitly on religion is rare due to religious homogeneity, hate speech and incitement to violence for tribal or political reasons produce similar outcomes and fuel widespread violations. Experts consider hate speech a primary driver of abuses and violence against victims of religion‑ or belief‑based violence, as well as a root cause of racism, xenophobia, and hostility toward foreigners, vulnerable minorities, and political dissidents under repressive authorities.

Impact of Conflict and Political Division

The situation in Libya has worsened due to ongoing political division and the absence of a central authority capable of enforcing the rule of law. This has created fertile ground for armed groups that exploit despair, poverty, unemployment, lack of basic services, absence of justice, and weak security and judicial institutions. The United Nations affirms that these factors are directly linked to political and social instability, making Libya an environment conducive to the expansion of terrorism and armed groups.

Freedom of Religion or Belief for People on the Move

The 2025 interim report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief emphasizes the urgent imperative of guaranteeing freedom of religion or belief for people “on the move” [internally displaced people, migrants, and refugees]. International law provides robust protection for this right, ensuring equal enjoyment for all persons—citizens and non‑citizens, documented and undocumented, refugees, internally displaced persons, migrant workers, and their families.

The Special Rapporteur stresses that States must not only respect this right but also ensure the fulfilment of their positive obligations to guarantee its enjoyment for every person and every community, including those on the move.

This message is particularly relevant to Libya. According to the IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report for January–February 2026, Libya hosts 936,134 migrants from 47 nationalities, in addition to large numbers of internally displaced persons. These populations face heightened challenges in exercising freedom of religion or belief due to precarious legal status, mobility restrictions, detention conditions, and the absence of effective protection mechanisms.

Supporting Victims is a Moral and Humanitarian Responsibility

Victims of religion‑ or belief‑based violence in Libya, as elsewhere, face obstacles in accessing justice, lack psychological and social support, and often see their long‑term needs ignored. The effects of trauma persist across generations. The United Nations underscores that supporting victims must be a core component of national and international efforts, and that protection, accountability, and redress are essential to preventing recurrence.

Promoting Dialogue, Diversity, and Respect for Beliefs

United Nations declarations on diversity and interreligious dialogue highlight that respecting the rights of religious communities, fostering mutual understanding, and combating hate speech are essential to preventing violence based on religion or belief. These declarations affirm that religious and cultural diversity should serve as a bridge for cooperation and understanding, and that education is fundamental to eliminating stereotypes and promoting mutual respect.

Call to Action

Human Rights Solidarity Organization (LHRS) affirm:

• Its unequivocal condemnation of all acts, methods, and practices of terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, in all forms and manifestations.
• Its rejection of any association between terrorism and any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group.
• The urgent need to end political division and conflict in Libya.
• The necessity of rebuilding state institutions to ensure security and stability.
• The importance of respecting human rights as the foundation for combating terrorism.
• The need to counter hate speech and incitement to violence.
• The importance of adopting charters and agreements that prohibit religious defamation and protect sacred beliefs.
• The vital role of memory and documentation in supporting victims and enabling justice.

Human Rights Solidarity Organization

Tripoli, Libya
August 22, 2026

References:

1. United Nations General Assembly, Resolution A/RES/73/296: “International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief”, 28 May 2019.
2. United Nations Department of Global Communications: “Human Rights Related to Freedom of Religion or Belief”, UN Information Note, 2026.
3. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief: “Interim Report: Freedom of Religion or Belief of People on the Move”, A/80/205, 18 July 2025.
4. International Organization for Migration (IOM): “Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), Libya, January–February 2026”.
5. World Conference on Dialogue among Religions and Civilizations: “Ohrid [Macedonia] Declaration”, A/62/553, 2007.
6. World Conference on Interfaith Dialogue (Madrid): “Madrid Declaration, A/63/499”, 2008.
7. Ministerial Conference “Common World: Progress Through Diversity”: “Astana Declaration”, A/63/512–S/2008/677, 2008.
8. Human Rights Solidarity (LHRS): “Statement on the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief”, 22 August 2025.