On the first International Day to Commemorate the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, Italy reaffirms its commitment at international level to promote the freedom of religion or belief and to protect the members of religious minorities. Religious freedom is a fundamental principle of the Italian Constitution and of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
In the last few months, numerous attacks and persecutions have been committed both against individuals and entire communities in various parts of the world based on their belonging to a religion or belief. The regularity of religion-based violence and the uptrend in violent extremism raises growing concern.
On this Day, we reaffirm our unwavering support for all those who have been the victims of attacks, persecutions, and the hate speech targeting the members of a religious group of belief, and we commit to be in the forefront, together with our European Union partners, in preventing such attacks and prosecuting the perpetrators.
