441-00108 (Civil and human rights)

The promotion and protection of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief, is a Canadian foreign policy priority.

Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental freedom guaranteed by Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Canada is a signatory to both. It is recognized in the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief and is an important component of peaceful, democratic and inclusive societies.

To ensure the global protection of these fundamental freedoms, Global Affairs Canada’s Office of Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion (OHRFI) leads Canada’s policy development and advocacy on human rights, democracy and inclusion. The OHRFI supports Canada’s bilateral and multilateral diplomacy regarding human rights, and serves as the focal point for the Government of Canada’s engagement with faith and belief communities, civil society actors, and the broader international community.

Canada seeks to protect and advance respect for human rights through bilateral diplomacy and technical assistance, public advocacy, support for local and international human rights defenders and civil society entities, the imposition of sanctions and export bans, and actions in regional and global multilateral forums. Through multilateral and bilateral engagements, Canada works to advance the human rights of those too often marginalized in social, economic, and civic life, including those belonging to religious minorities. The OHRFI supports this diplomatic leadership through a programming unit that delivers timely and targeted programming initiatives to protect human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.

The Government of Canada continues to be committed to the protection of the rights of individuals to believe or not believe, to change one's religion if one desires, and to speak and act on those beliefs.

Discrimination, including against individuals on the basis of their religion or belief, causes suffering; spreads division; and contributes to a climate of fear, intolerance, and stigmatization. Discriminatory actions motivated by intolerance have no place in any country and run in opposition to respect for human rights, diversity, inclusiveness and justice.

Canada works with partner governments and civil society organizations to counter discrimination against individuals on the basis of their religion or belief. As part of this effort, Canada led the establishment of the International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief (ICG-FoRB) in 2015. Co-chaired by Canada and the U.S., the ICG-FoRB is abody that encourages multilateral action beyond traditional regional blocks, sharing information, and deepening coordination between like-minded countries on protecting and promoting freedom of religion or belief. This forum has been instrumental in advancing coordinated state-to-state initiatives in support of this fundamental human right. Participants of the ICG-FoRB promote freedom of religion or belief by, inter alia: initiating early warnings of a looming crisis or issue; coordinating advocacy and programming activities; fostering an exchange of best practices; and creating Friends of freedom of religion or belief groups in countries of concern for on-the-ground coordination. The ICG-FoRB regularly meets with experts and high-level officials to foster understanding and effective collaboration.

Canada continues to be active in all multilateral bodies that support human rights, including the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, as well as through the G7, global coalitions and bilateral diplomacy. Canada is a strong voice, its diplomacy is valued, and it takes a leadership role on many key resolutions and initiatives.