International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief aims to honour the memory of those who have suffered due to intolerance and prejudice related to their religious beliefs. This observance serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting peace, tolerance, and understanding among people of diverse faiths. It highlights the responsibility of governments and communities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of individuals who are susceptible to violence and persecution due to their religious affiliation.

The United Nations General Assembly established the day on 28 May 2019 through a resolution. New Zealand, as a nation that values diversity and inclusiveness, has also experienced tragic incidents related to religion, such as the Christchurch mosque shootings in March 2019, which saw 51 victims lose their lives. It is particularly important for New Zealanders to embrace this day as an opportunity to strengthen the bonds between different religious communities and educate the public about the dangerous consequences of discrimination and hatred.

To observe the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief in New Zealand, various events and activities are organized by government bodies, religious organizations, and civil society groups. Through seminars, panel discussions, and community gatherings, the public is encouraged to engage in interfaith dialogues and express solidarity with those who suffered due to their religious beliefs. Integrating diverse perspectives in a respectful manner allows for a better understanding of each other and fosters social cohesion. This annual observance takes place on 22 August, providing New Zealanders with the occasion to both remember the victims of religious violence and strive towards preventing future occurrences of hate-driven acts.

Facts about this day

• According to the Pew Research Center, government use of force against religious or belief communities occurred in 95 countries in 2018.
• In 2018, more than a quarter of the world’s countries experienced a high incidence of hostilities motivated by religious hatred, mob violence related to religion, terrorism, and harassment of women for violating religious codes
• Most incidences perpetrated against victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief are considered hate crimes. Hate crimes are criminal actions intended to harm or intimidate people because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or other minority group status.
• On March 15, 2019, a terrorist attack occurred at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 51 people and injuring over 40 others. The attacker, a white supremacist, targeted the Muslim community during Friday prayers.
• Within a month of the Christchurch attacks, the government passed a law banning military-style semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles.

In the News and Trending in NZ for International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

Top things to do in NZ for this observance

• Learn more about the UN's Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism. The plan focuses on preventing the spread of violent extremism by creating counter-terrorism measures.
• Watch the UN's video about their campaigning against attacks on religious communities. The video features a Jewish family and their struggle against anti-Semitism.
• Watch a Documentary to learn more about Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief in New Zealand:
  They Are Us (2022) - A dramatized film based on the tragic Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, which resulted in the deaths of 51 people. The film focuses on how the people of New Zealand, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, came together in the wake of the attack. Note that this film has faced some controversy surrounding its production, with concerns raised about the potential re-traumatization and exploitation of victims' stories.
• Read a book to learn more about Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief in New Zealand:
  1)The Christchurch Massacre: A Legacy of Extremism - edited by Paul Spoonley
  2)The Moral Economies of Ethnic and Nationalist Claims - edited by Monica Duffy Toft, Allison Spencer Hartnett, and Elizabeth Mendenhall (features a chapter on the New Zealand Christchurch shootings)