Mr. Abdellefatah Amor, (Former) UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, from his 1999 report to the UN Commission on Human Rights (E/CN.4/1999/58) wrote: "Discrimination and intolerance against women, supposedly prescribed by religion or tradition, must be resolutely condemned. To that end, the Special Rapporteur reiterates his recommendation that a seminar should be held on the status of women from the standpoint of religion, traditions and human rights, so as not only to identify manifestations of discrimination and intolerance, but also to formulate practical recommendations and a plan of action for eradicating such practices."

Three years later, in 2002, the Special Rapporteur published a comprehensive report that is a nexus between women's rights and freedom of religion or belief. The Study on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Status of Women From the Viewpoint of Religion and Traditions (E/CN.4/2002/73/add.2) is a significant UN document on intolerance and discrimination against women based on religion and traditions. Published in French, it was translated into English by Dr. John Taylor, of the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Geneva.

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B. Studies

6. In order to encourage reflection on and analysis of matters of freedom of religion and belief, while giving greater consideration to priority issues such as economic, social and cultural rights, the right to development, gender issues and women's rights, the Special Rapporteur wishes to undertake an initial series of studies on the following topics:

(a) Discrimination against women attributable specifically to their status as women within churches and religions;

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B. External factors

125. In acknowledging the need to lay the foundations of prevention at the earliest opportunity, the Special Rapporteur deems it a matter of priority to attack the dual scourge of extremism and discrimination against women:

(b) Discrimination and intolerance against women, supposedly prescribed by religion or tradition, must be resolutely condemned. To that end, the Special Rapporteur reiterates his recommendation that a seminar should be held on the status of women from the standpoint of religion, traditions and human rights, so as not only to identify manifestations of discrimination and intolerance, but also to formulate practical recommendations and a plan of action for eradicating such practices.

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COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Fifty-fifth session
Item 11 (e) of the provisional agenda

Paragraphs

Introduction 1 - 2

I. INITIATIVES BY THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR TO IDENTIFY LEGISLATION AND CONDUCT STUDIES IN THE FIELD OF TOLERANCE AND NON-DISCRIMINATION CONCERNING RELIGION OR BELIEF AND TO DEVELOP A CULTURE OF TOLERANCE 3 - 13
A. Legislation 3 - 5
B. Studies 6
C. Culture of tolerance 7 - 13

II. INITIATIVES BY STATES AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS 14 - 16

III. IN SITU VISITS AND FOLLOW-UP 17 - 22

IV. POSITION AS REGARDS COMMUNICATIONS SENT BY THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR AND REPLIES RECEIVED FROM STATES SINCE THE COMMISSION'S FIFTY-FOURTH SESSION 23 - 114
A. Summary of communications sent and replies received 24 - 103
B. Analysis of communications 104 - 114

V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 115 - 127
A. Internal factors 118 - 122
B. External factors 123 - 127

Annex: Follow-up of the missions to Australia and Germany