Official Statement on the Occasion of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
31 Aug 2026
Today, the International Diplomatic Union joins the international community in observing the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to honour the memory of those who have suffered or lost their lives because of their faith or convictions, to stand in solidarity with survivors and affected communities, and to reaffirm the determination of the international community to uphold the inherent dignity and equal rights of every human being.
Across every region of the world, individuals and communities continue to be attacked, persecuted, and killed for no reason other than what they believe. Places of worship — churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and shrines — sanctuaries of peace and reflection, have themselves become targets of violence. Each such act is an assault not only upon its immediate victims, but upon a freedom that belongs to all humanity: the freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. When people cannot pray, gather, or express their convictions in safety, the foundations of every free society are shaken.
Violence based on religion or belief inflicts wounds that endure far beyond the moment of the attack. It spreads fear through entire communities, drives displacement and exclusion, deepens mistrust between neighbours, and hands victory to those who profit from division. History teaches with painful clarity that such violence rarely begins with weapons; it begins with words — with hatred, dehumanization, and incitement left unanswered. The responsibility to confront intolerance, therefore, begins long before violence erupts, and it belongs to us all.
The International Diplomatic Union emphasizes that protecting individuals from violence based on religion or belief requires unwavering commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and international human rights law, including the equal protection of all persons regardless of faith or conviction; the prosecution of those who commit or incite such violence; the safeguarding of places of worship; and the firm rejection of impunity. Yet legal protection alone is not sufficient. Lasting peace among communities of different faiths and beliefs is built through interfaith and intercultural dialogue, through education that teaches respect rather than suspicion, and through leadership — political, religious, and civic — that speaks against hatred with one voice.
Consistent with its mission and its founding commitment to intercultural dialogue, tolerance, and understanding among peoples, the International Diplomatic Union reaffirms its dedication to supporting initiatives that defend freedom of religion or belief, strengthen dialogue among cultures and faiths, promote education for tolerance and mutual respect, and build partnerships that make societies more inclusive, peaceful, and resilient against the forces of division.
On this solemn occasion, the International Diplomatic Union calls upon governments, international organizations, religious and community leaders, educational institutions, the media, and civil society to intensify their efforts to prevent violence based on religion or belief, to protect vulnerable communities and places of worship, to support victims and survivors with justice and compassion, and to work together toward a world in which every person may hold, practise, and express their beliefs in freedom, safety, and dignity.
Dr. Faisal Al-Mutairi
President
International Diplomatic Union
Brussels
