Human Rights and Democracy - Official Documents

Special Tribunal for Lebanon
During 2010, the tribunal continued its investigative phase and prepared for the start
of judicial activity. On 17 January 2011 the Prosecutor submitted the first indictment
to the pre-trial judge. The UK announced a further £1 million funding for the tribunal
for 2011, which brought our total contribution up to £2.3 million.
Equality and Non-discrimination
Freedom of religion or belief
The Government strongly supports the right to freedom of religion or belief as set out
in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights. We also encourage the full implementation of the 1981 UN
Declaration on the Elimination of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion
or Belief. Our embassies and high commissions routinely raise concerns about
freedom of religion or belief with host governments and take action on individual
cases where persecution or discrimination has occurred. They also lobby for
changes in discriminatory practices and laws.
We are concerned about the ongoing conflict in Plateau State in Nigeria where
Christian and Muslim communities suffered terrible loss of life in 2010 in violence
driven by underlying social, political, economic and religious factors. We made clear
to the government of Nigeria at ministerial level that the perpetrators of these crimes
must be brought to justice and that more must be done to find long-term solutions.
Henry Bellingham raised this issue during his meeting with Vice President Namadi
Sambo in October. The High Commissioner discussed these issues in September
with Chief Solomon Lar, chair of the Presidential Committee on the Jos Crisis, and
we have continued to encourage the government of Nigeria to consider
implementation of the committee’s report. Our High Commission, together with
DFID, continues to explore further ways in which we can help the process of
reconciliation between the religious and ethnic communities in Plateau State,
including by encouraging the involvement of NGOs and governmental, traditional
and religious leaders.
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