– Prevention against violence on religious or belief grounds should be of particular importance for us and has been constantly raised by Poland in the international debate’ – said the Polish Deputy Minister Piotr Wawrzyk during yesterday’s panel discussion, which was co-organized by the Regional Center for International Debate in Torun and the Warsaw Institute.
‘Restrictions on the freedom of religion or belief take place on all continents and concern people who are religious, have different beliefs and who are not religious’ – said Deputy Minister Piotr Wawrzyk.
‘This year’s celebrations have a fairly special dimension due to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, which has exacerbated some existing inequalities and discrimination’ – emphasized the Deputy Minister Wawrzyk.
International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, celebrated on the 22nd of August, was established unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019 at the initiative of Poland. This idea was supported by an inter-regional group of States, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria and Pakistan.
‘Apart from commemoration aspect, the establishment of this day and its annual celebrations, both at the international and national level, will contribute to raising awareness of the international community about the victims of religious persecution’ – wrote the Press Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs