Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief 2025.
On this day, the EU pays tribute to all those who suffer, or have suffered from, intolerance, discrimination, hostility, hatred, persecution or violence because of their actual or perceived religion or belief, or lack thereof. Over the past year, the world has continued to witness how millions of people from different religious affiliations, communities or minorities fall victim to violence brought by conflict, terrorism, repression, mob intimidation and hate speech. Intolerance, extremism, authoritarianism and conflict-driven hatred continue to jeopardise the rights and freedoms of all too many people, putting at risk their families, communities, religious sites and places of worship. The EU firmly upholds the right of all individuals to enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, and to manifest or change their religion or belief without risk of discrimination, persecution or violence. All individuals have the right to practice their religion or belief alone or in commu...