Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom

  • Media release

Australiawas pleased to participate in the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom,hosted by the United States in Washington DC from 24-26 July.

TheMinisterial presented an opportunity for Australia and other States, civilsociety and the private sector to come together to discuss how we can all worktogether to advance the protection of freedom of religion or belief.

Religiousfreedom and tolerance are fundamental to open, multicultural and resilientsocieties. All people are entitled to respect, dignity, and legal protectionregardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age,disability, indigeneity, national origin or any other status.

Advocatingfor the protection and promotion of the human right of freedom of religion orbelief is a priority of Australia's membership of the United Nations HumanRights Council. We regularly support the Council's relevant resolutions andmandates, and raise this issue through the Universal Periodic Review process.

Australiawas represented by our Deputy Ambassador to the US, Katrina Cooper. Thenational statement from the Ministerial is available on the Department ofForeign Affairs and Trade's website.

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