Today’s first UN International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief was initiated by Kent Law School postgraduate research scholar Ewelina Ochab.
Ewelina authored the initiative in 2017 in a bid to recognise the importance of providing victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief and members of their families with appropriate support and assistance in accordance with applicable law. It was proposed at the UN by Poland at the end of 2018 and adopted by the UN General Assembly on 28 May 2019.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres said: ‘On this Day, we reaffirm our unwavering support for the victims of violence based on religion and belief. And we demonstrate that support by doing all in our power to prevent such attacks and demanding that those responsible are held accountable.’
In an article for The Conversation, Ewelina lists ‘Five reasons the world needs a wake-up call on religious persecution’ and explains the need to shine a light “those dark corners where acts of violence based on religion or belief are a daily reality.”
Ewelina says: ‘This initiative is intended to raise awareness and provide a springboard towards an action plan rather than being an end in itself. What will become of this day is up to all states, civil society and individuals. Everyone needs to play their role in making this a meaningful day – one that can bring a change to the lives of the people targeted for their religion or belief.
‘Any action plan needs to address the different types of atrocities perpetrated in different parts of the world and improve human rights by adjusting them to international standards. Introducing mechanisms to strengthen implementation and oversight would be key. Also, placing more focus on criminal prosecutions would help deter crime and human rights violations.’
A video on Ewelina’s Twitter feed features contributions from academics, politicians and policymakers from across the world affirming their support for the Day’s message.
As well as being a PhD in Law scholar, Ewelina is a legal researcher, human rights advocate and author. She works on the topic of persecution of minorities around the world, with major projects including Daesh genocide in Syria and Iraq, Boko Haram atrocities in West Africa, and religious minorities in South Asia. Ochab has written over 30 UN reports (including Universal Periodic Review reports) and has made oral and written submissions at the Human Rights Council sessions and the UN Forum on Minority Issues. She has been published in Forbes, the Huffington Post, Oxford Human Rights Hub and many more. Her book Never Again: Legal Responses to a Broken Promise in the Middle East was published by Kairos Publications in 2016.
Ewelina’s thesis in International Law, Human Rights and Medical Ethics focuses on the accountability of medical professionals for their involvement and complicity in torture in American detention centres.
Follow Ewelina on Twitter @EwelinaUO
