Religious freedom expert's first official visit to Lebanon

UN expert on religious freedom launches first official visit to Lebanon

GENEVA / BEIRUT (18 March 2015) – United Nations Special Rapporteur Heiner Bielefeldt will carry out his first information-gathering visit to Lebanon, from 23 March to 2 April 2015, to assess the freedom of religion or belief in the country.

“I am keen to learn more about the coexistence of different religious or belief communities in Lebanon and find positive examples,” Mr. Bielefeldt said. “It will also be an opportunity for me to assess the freedom of religion or belief of refugees and migrants.”

The work of the Special Rapporteur, as mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, also requires him to identify existing and emerging obstacles to the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief and present specific recommendations to overcome them.

During this eleven-day mission, Mr. Bielefeldt will meet with various government officials, representatives of religious or belief communities, civil society organizations and the UN.

The expert will share with the media his preliminary findings during a press conference on 2 April 2015, at 11:00 in the Cedars Conference Room at Raddison Blu Martinez Hotel, Phoenicia Street, Ain El Mreisseh, Beirut. Access to the press conference is strictly limited to journalists.

Following his visit, the Special Rapporteur will present a report containing his conclusions and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council at a future session in 2016.

ENDS

© Scoop Media