Third Committee, 25th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session
Promotion and protection of human rights, Implementation of human rights instruments, Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives, Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action - Item 70, 70 (a), 70 (b), 70 (c), 70 (d) - A/81/189, A/81/286, A/81/376
Agenda items · 581st session
Item 70
Promotion and protection of human rights
Item 70(a)
Implementation of human rights instruments
Item 70(b)
Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms
Third Committee, 25th meeting of the 81st session. Agenda item taken up: “Promotion and protection of human rights, Implementation of human rights instruments, Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives, Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action - Item 70, 70 (a), 70 (b), 70 (c), 70 (d) - A/81/189, A/81/286, A/81/376”. 40 speakers were heard, representing 38 delegations.
Points of disagreement
Israel regretted that the report avoided naming Hamas as responsible for what it called a blatant disregard for human dignity, including the mutilation and burning of Israeli victims beyond recognition.
Lithuania, on behalf of Nordic Baltic states, expressed concern about the misuse of religion for political purposes and for justifying aggression, violence and repression within a country, stating that the Kremlin politically instrumentalizes Russia's Orthodox Church for its war of aggression against Ukraine.
Cuba rejected the inclusion of Cuba in what it called politically motivated lists drawn up by the United States government seeking to unilaterally judge religious freedoms in other countries.
Islamic Republic of Iran stated that during what it called an unlawful war of aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime, places of worship of religious minorities were destroyed, including the Rafiniya synagogue in Tehran, and that the Special Rapporteur was silent on attacks on places of worship inside Iran.
Key points
European Union, on behalf of European Union and its member states, asked the Special Rapporteur which examples of best practice she had come across to guide future actions.
Kenya, on behalf of African group, welcomed Ms. Zaina Jalad as the new Special Rapporteur and appreciated her inaugural report and its eight thematic priorities.
Namibia welcomed the Special Rapporteur's report, which it said confirms that harm from unilateral cohesive measures extends far beyond the targeted state and is felt most in humanitarian settings.
Statement by statement · 38 speakers
🇬🇭 Ghana
Ghana stressed that emergency situations do not suspend the obligation to respect freedom of religion or belief, which is non derogable, and that limitations on funeral rights must meet requirements of legality, absolute necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination.
Ghana emphasized that the right to honor the dead is inseparable from the return of remains, that memorialization should be treated as integral to truth, accountability and remedy, and that return and memorialization must be matched by reparations.
🇳🇬 Nigeria
Nigeria welcomed the Special Rapporteur's visit to the country from 8th to 19 June 2026, undertaken at the invitation of the government of Nigeria, and looked forward to the visit report being presented to the Human Rights Council in March 2027.
Nigeria expressed concern that banks, insurance and other commercial actors obstructed lawful transactions and humanitarian assistance even where exemptions formally existed, and asked what practical measures the Special Rapporteur recommended so that unilateral coercive measures did not undermine the rights to development and humanitarian assistance.
🇳🇱 Kingdom of the Netherlands
Kingdom of the Netherlands reaffirmed that freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right that must be guaranteed to everyone without discrimination, including the freedom to have, adopt or change a religion or belief, or to have no religion or belief at all.
Kingdom of the Netherlands asked how states can ensure that affected communities are meaningfully consulted when adopting emergency measures that may interfere with funeral rites, particularly where public health or security considerations are at stake.
🇨🇱 Chile
Chile stated that funeral rights are an inherent and inalienable right tied to freedom of religion and belief, that limitations for public safety may apply in exceptional circumstances, but that these should not lead to a permanent limitation on the rights.
🇵🇱 Poland
Poland expressed concern about the desecration of the dead and of cemeteries in armed conflict and about the refusal to return the bodies of persons killed in so called counter-terrorism operations, including Crimean Tatar Muslims in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
🇮🇹 Italy
Italy asked what practical measures states can take to ensure that the protection of funeral rights is systematically integrated into emergency responses and recovery planning, particularly when burial sites and places of remembrance have been damaged or destroyed.
🇦🇫 Afghanistan
Afghanistan stated that freedom of religion or belief in Afghanistan continued to face serious and growing restrictions under Taliban rule, with religious and ethnic minorities, particularly Shia Muslims, including Hazaras, and Ismailis, facing discrimination, restrictions on religious practices and threats to their safety.
Afghanistan expressed concern over the use of religious interpretations to justify systematic discrimination against women and girls, including their exclusion from education, employment, and public life.
🇮🇱 Israel
Israel stated that Israel was deeply committed to protecting the freedom of religion of all its citizens, and that any alleged deviation from its policies was subject to scrutiny by its independent justice system.
Israel regretted that the report avoided naming Hamas as responsible for what it called a blatant disregard for human dignity, including the mutilation and burning of Israeli victims beyond recognition.
European Union · on behalf of European Union and its member states
European Union, on behalf of European Union and its member states, asked the Special Rapporteur which examples of best practice she had come across to guide future actions.
🇨🇴 Colombia
Colombia reiterated support for the rapporteur's mandate and stated that freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental right for building peaceful, inclusive and democratic societies, amid continuing intolerance, hate speech, discrimination and violence.
Colombia stressed the need to strengthen efforts to stop incitation to discrimination for religious reasons, especially in digital spheres, while preserving fundamental rights and human rights, and recognized the importance of intercultural and interreligious cooperation.
🇲🇦 Morocco
Morocco welcomed the report's emphasis on memorialization, the protection of cemeteries and memorial sites, and meaningful consultation with communities, saying these principles were close to Morocco's approach.
Morocco stated that Morocco's constitution guarantees freedom of thought and expression and the free exercise of worship for all, and that Morocco guarantees all residents, whatever their nationality or belief, the freedom to practice their religion.
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
Bangladesh recognized that funerals and mourning are important religious and social practices, including during conflicts, emergencies, and natural disasters, and noted that its constitution protects freedom of religion and peaceful assembly, subject to relevant constitutional provisions and lawful restrictions.
Bangladesh rejected any generalized characterization suggesting that the authorities discourage public mourning or interfere with religious rights, noting that the report's concerns were based on submissions, including a confidential one, without sufficient detail about the alleged incidents.
🇸🇮 Slovenia
Slovenia stated that Slovenia is committed to the protection and promotion of freedom of religion or belief, which it described as a universal fundamental right, and that, regardless of circumstances, the dead must be treated with respect and dignity.
Slovenia asked how a dignified burial consistent with the religious and cultural customs of families and communities, as recommended by the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, can be guaranteed in health emergencies, including infectious disease epidemics, and in natural disasters.
🇷🇺 Russian Federation
Russian Federation reaffirmed Russia's position that it was counterproductive for the Special Reporteur to insert new legal concepts such as burial rights without broad discussion with states, and said the reports cited in paragraph 25 were unreliable.
Russian Federation urged the international community to close ranks to resist what it called illegitimate restrictions, stating that its country faced 26,000 restrictions as of October of this year.
Russian Federation stated that Russia advocated reforming the global currency and financial system, which should operate on principles of justice, transparency and non discrimination, and that the Bretton Woods institutions should reflect the growing role of developing countries.
🇬🇹 Guatemala
Guatemala recognized that freedom of belief or religion is essential to peaceful coexistence and mutual respect, reflected in the multicultural and multilingual character of Guatemalan society and in the protection of the traditions, languages and cultural expressions of Indigenous peoples.
Guatemala asked the Special Rapporteur what the main challenges had been in implementing state measures so that responses to emergencies, displacement or disasters respect the funerary and spiritual practices of Indigenous peoples.
🇦🇺 Australia
Australia reiterated its commitment to protecting and promoting freedom of religion or belief for all, and said all people should be able to mourn and honor the deceased safely, freely and with dignity in accordance with their religion or belief, including in exceptional circumstances.
Australia highlighted the importance of meaningful consultation with religious, belief and First Nations communities, and described Australian measures including special envoys on anti Semitism and Islamophobia, education task forces and strengthened hate crime laws.
🇱🇹 Lithuania · on behalf of Nordic Baltic states
Lithuania, on behalf of Nordic Baltic states, expressed concern about the misuse of religion for political purposes and for justifying aggression, violence and repression within a country, stating that the Kremlin politically instrumentalizes Russia's Orthodox Church for its war of aggression against Ukraine.
Lithuania, on behalf of Nordic Baltic states, asked the Special Rapporteur what additional measures states and the international community should take in armed conflict and occupation so that individuals and communities can exercise religious and belief-based practices related to mourning, burial and commemoration of the deceased.
🇪🇸 Spain
Spain reaffirmed commitment to the defense of freedom of religion or belief as a fundamental expression of human rights, and said the Spanish constitution places it as an inalienable fundamental right inherent to the human dignity of all persons.
Spain stated that safeguarding funeral rights is one of the basic pillars of religious freedom, and that a dignified burial in accordance with the deceased's beliefs is part of religious freedom.
🇨🇺 Cuba
Cuba stated that the Cuban Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion and belief without discrimination, that all beliefs and religions enjoy equal consideration in Cuba, and that intolerance, discrimination or violence based on religion is punished.
Cuba rejected the inclusion of Cuba in what it called politically motivated lists drawn up by the United States government seeking to unilaterally judge religious freedoms in other countries.
Cuba condemned the political manipulation of the right to freedom of religion or belief or any other human right.
🇮🇪 Ireland
Ireland condemned all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are, including Baha'is, Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
Ireland noted the Special Rapporteur's recommendations on respect for the dignity of the dead and for those who mourn, and the particular challenges in armed conflict and disaster contexts described as exceptional circumstances.
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Pakistan highlighted the report's findings on what it called systemic denial of funeral rights for Kashmiris killed by the Indian Armed Forces in what it termed Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, calling this appalling and unacceptable.
🇨🇦 Canada
Canada expressed concern over reports of interference with funeral and mourning practices, and condemned the weaponization of these practices as tools of repression or discrimination.
Canada welcomed the report's emphasis on protecting burial and memorial sites, facilitating access to places of remembrance, and ensuring that affected families and communities can participate meaningfully in decisions affecting them.
🇬🇷 Greece
Greece noted that it had regulated, by Law 5324 of 2026, the conditions of specific preparatory services for deceased Muslims in the Mosque of Athens in conformity with Islamic burial customs and rules, and that there were more than 250 operative mosques in Thrust, Greece.
Greece asked the Special Rapporteur what specific measures should be promoted, and what concrete safeguards could ensure meaningful consultation with affected persons, in protecting cemeteries, ancestral graves and memorial sites from destruction or commercial development.
🇶🇦 Qatar
Qatar stated that the country was committed to ensuring non-discrimination and equality of everyone in light of the charter, and that freedom of religion was guaranteed under its laws and public laws.
Qatar highlighted the Vision 2030, which underscores the need for multicultural dialogue, and the International Doha Center, Center for Dialogue of Religions, intended to build a bridge among religions and cultures.
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan underscored that upholding religious freedom, including the sanctity of places of worship and burial sites, is very important, and said mandate holders should include information that is reliable, cross-checked and drawn from credible sources, in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
Azerbaijan rejected the allegations concerning Azerbaijan in paragraphs 16 and 17 of the report, stating that during almost 30 years of what it called occupation, at least 65 mosques were razed and cemeteries desecrated, and said the rapporteur's silence raised the question of impartiality and objectivity.
🇮🇳 India
India asked what benefit the report derived from not mentioning similar tragic situations in the developed world, given that it suggested discrimination and wrong practices during COVID-19 took place only in the global south.
🇩🇪 Germany
Germany welcomed the report's focus on funeral rights in exceptional circumstances, and recognized that freedom of religion or belief extends beyond life.
Germany called for all states to uphold funeral rights as an integral part of freedom of religion or belief, also in exceptional circumstances, and to strengthen efforts to combat religious intolerance.
🇮🇷 Islamic Republic of Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of religion or belief for all recognized religious minorities within its territory, in accordance with its constitution, national laws and charter based obligations, and said Zoroastrian, Jewish and Christian communities are constitutionally recognized minorities.
Islamic Republic of Iran stated that during what it called an unlawful war of aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime, places of worship of religious minorities were destroyed, including the Rafiniya synagogue in Tehran, and that the Special Rapporteur was silent on attacks on places of worship inside Iran.
Sovereign Order of Malta
Sovereign Order of Malta stated that freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right, yet persecution and discrimination on account of faith remain widespread, and that safeguarding religious freedom is inseparable from upholding human dignity and serving all those in need.
🇰🇪 Kenya · on behalf of African group
Kenya, on behalf of African group, welcomed Ms. Zaina Jalad as the new Special Rapporteur and appreciated her inaugural report and its eight thematic priorities.
Kenya, on behalf of African group, expressed concern about the gap between formal humanitarian exemptions and their practical effectiveness, and that adverse effects of unilateral coercive measures may persist after removal; asked what practical steps would restore financial, trade and development cooperation.
🇳🇦 Namibia · on behalf of African group
Namibia welcomed the Special Rapporteur's report, which it said confirms that harm from unilateral cohesive measures extends far beyond the targeted state and is felt most in humanitarian settings.
Namibia called for the rejection of UCMs and a renewed commitment to multilateralism as the cornerstone of international relations and diplomacy.
Namibia asked the Special Rapporteur what message she would convey to states that continue to support the use of UCMs.
🇻🇪 Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirmed its position of principle on unilateral coercive measures, which it considered incompatible with international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the principles of cooperation and respect for sovereignty.
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela called for the immediate non-conditional cessation of all unilateral coercive measures applied in breach of international law.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
United Kingdom welcomed the proactive engagement of the Special Rapporteur since taking up her mandate and the evidence and data driven approach to gathering input set out in her report.
United Kingdom stated that the UK's autonomous sanctions are targeted and focused in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, and are not so called unilateral coercive measures, with which they are often confused.
🇧🇷 Brazil
Brazil reaffirmed its principled stance that unilateral coercive measures violate international law, and welcomed the rapporteur's vision to focus her report on the impact of UCMs on vulnerable populations, humanitarian actors, and sustainable development efforts.
Brazil stated that the proliferation of these measures erodes the multilateral order and impairs international cooperation, and that such measures disregard the principles of sovereignty, non intervention, and respect for human rights.
🇺🇬 Uganda · on behalf of non-aligned movement
Uganda, on behalf of non-aligned movement, welcomed the report presented by the Special Rapporteur, Ms. Zaina Jalad, to the current session of the General Assembly, contained in document A 81 286, which highlights the negative aspects of unilateral coercive measures and includes recommendations to minimize their adverse impact.
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe commended the Special Rapporteur's comprehensive report on the multi sectoral impact of unilateral coercive measures, and welcomed its recognition of the long term impact of UCMs long after their formal removal.
Zimbabwe expressed concern about the persistence of financial restrictions and overcompliance by international financial institutions and private actors, even where certain measures have been lifted, with adverse consequences for ordinary citizens.
🇪🇷 Eritrea
Eritrea welcomed the appointment of Ms. Dana as Special Reporter on the negative impact of unilateral policy measures, and expressed support and wished her success in her mandate.
Eritrea condemned all forms of ECMs, which it said were illegal under international law and a breach of the cardinal principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including sovereign equality of states and non-interference in internal affairs.
🇨🇳 China
China stated that UCMs grossly violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, undermine fundamental norms of international law, infringe basic human rights such as the right to life and the right to development, and hinder implementation of the 2030 agenda.
China urged the countries concerned to immediately lift all illegal unilateral sanctions imposed on developing countries, and said that, as a victim of UCMs, China was willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with all parties, including United Nations human rights mechanisms.
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