At the heart of the human rights system, freedom of belief and the prohibition of discrimination based on belief appear as two inseparable and complementary values. The first represents an existential act, embodying the individual’s right to freely adopt any belief—or none—without fear or coercion. The second is a negative act , which requires refraining from any discriminatory, exclusionary, or punitive behavior because of this difference. Thus, these two dimensions complement each other: one affirms the right, the other protects it against any violation.
This complementary relationship between the existential act (freedom of belief) and the negative act (the prohibition of discrimination) makes the protection of religious and cultural minorities a fundamental pillar of democratic systems. It is not enough to recognize individual freedoms; it is also necessary to create a legal and social environment that prevents marginalization, exclusion, and discrimination.
From Discourse to Mechanisms: International Law and the Responsibility to Protect
International law has not been limited to declarations of intent calling for respect for minority rights. It has evolved towards the adoption of legal and institutional mechanisms to monitor and evaluate States’ compliance with their commitments in this regard. Instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights, as well as on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (1992) , clearly affirm the right to freedom of belief, non-discrimination, and equality before the law.
In addition, several international bodies have been established, such as the Human Rights Committee, the Human Rights Council, as well as special rapporteur mandates, including the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief , to actively monitor the implementation of these principles. These bodies publish reports, make recommendations and, if necessary, exert political or moral pressure in the event of violations.
Human rights work as a tool for pressure and accountability
In this context, human rights work plays a central and essential role, not only as a humanitarian approach, but also as a mechanism for pressure and accountability. Human rights organizations, whether local or international, represent the voice of marginalized groups. They highlight violations often ignored by the media or global public opinion. They also contribute to the collection of evidence, the documentation of testimonies, and the submission of reports to international bodies, thus exerting real pressure on offending states, which may be forced to review their policies or, at least, to justify their practices to the international community.
Therefore, human rights work is not a luxury reserved for an elite: it is a necessity to ensure the balance between the commitments of States and their actual practices. It also helps to strengthen the culture of rights within societies and to spread awareness that minority rights are not a secondary cause, but an essential component of universal human rights .
Conclusion
Freedom of belief and the resulting prohibition of discrimination are not mere legal or ethical principles: they constitute the foundation of any humane and just system. The real challenge lies in the ability to translate these principles into concrete realities, which requires political will, effective legal mechanisms, and an active civil society. Only then can we affirm that minority rights are no longer a mere slogan, but a lived reality.
