GENEVA (28 August 2013) – United Nations independent expert Heiner Bielefeldt will visit Jordan from 2 September to 12 September 2013, to assess the situation in the country regarding the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief, and to promote the adoption of related human rights measures.
“I would like to better understand how Jordan, being situated in an increasingly complicated regional environment, manages religious diversity based on equal respect for everyone’s religious or non-religious convictions,” Mr. Bielefeldt said.
“In this context I am interested to learn about existing interreligious dialogue projects, religious family courts and the situation of minorities, including Muslim minorities, different Christian denominations, Druzes, Baha’is and others,” he explained.
This will be the first visit to the country by an independent expert charged by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor freedom of religion or belief worldwide.
During his ten-day visit, the human rights expert will meet with a wide range of relevant Government officials and agencies, as well as representatives of religious or belief communities and civil society organizations in Amman, Karak, Adassiyeh and Zaatari refugee camp.
Mr. Bielefeldt will share his preliminary findings at a press conference to be held on 10 September 2013, at the Intercontinental hotel in Amman.
Following his visit, the Special Rapporteur will present a report containing his conclusions and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council in 2014.
