Protecting and Implementing the Right to Freedom of Religion or Belief: Interview with Heiner Bielefeldt

摘要

In our continuing series of reflections by human rights practitioners on their work, Heiner Bielefeldt reflects here on his first year in post as UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. In the interview, Professor Bielefeldt discusses various methodologies and vehicles for action available to him in the post, and reflects on a recent country visit to Paraguay. He also speaks about some of his chief concerns regarding protection and implementation of the right to freedom of religion or belief around the world today, and outlines some of his priorities for work in this area in the period ahead.