said<\/a> the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt.<\/p>\n\u201cBefore coming to Sierra Leone I expected to see a country characterized by a high degree of religious tolerance. What I have experienced here by far exceeds this expectation,\u201d the expert stated, as he wrapped up his first official visit. \u201cAll interlocutors, without exception, agreed that religious communities, in particular Muslims and Christians, live peacefully and harmoniously side-by-side.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the climate of religious tolerance in Sierra Leone is all the more \u201castounding\u201d against the background of the country’s tragic civil war. \u201cWhile ethnic, regional and other differences \u2013 whether real or merely imagined \u2013 became factors of political fragmentation and violent escalation, religion was never drawn into the conflict.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sierra Leone was torn by a civil war that lasted from 1991 to 2002, and was often punctuated by acts of extreme brutality as marauding bands of armed youths terrorized the countryside, conscripting child soldiers and used the amputation of limbs to intimidate civilians.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn all attempts to further develop the country, religious communities can \u2013 and do \u2013 play a crucial role,\u201d said Mr. Bielefeldt, who briefed reporters in the capital, Freetown. \u201cThe unusual degree of interreligious tolerance and cooperation remains a great asset for rebuilding and developing the nation \u2013 also beyond the reconciliation process.\u201d<\/p>\n
He recalled that a Christian person remarked that when the church is overcrowded he might well decide to go to a mosque to pray. \u201cSuch a statement, which in many countries would be fairly unusual or even unthinkable, seems rather indicative of the tolerant situation in Sierra Leone,\u201d he stated. \u201cLikewise, Muslims told me they have no difficulty to pray in a Christian church.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Bielefeldt noted that people in Sierra Leone can freely change their religious affiliation. \u201cConversions are a common phenomenon and can go into all directions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cReligious pluralism in Sierra Leone is a dynamic pluralism in the sense that religious communities can grow and develop,\u201d he added. \u201cPeople generally do not encounter problems when bearing witness to their faith in private or in public and they can also invite others freely to join their community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Commending the high degree of religious tolerance enjoyed by Sierra Leoneans, he added that it should not be taken for granted.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the face of religious mistrust, hostility and hatred in many parts of the world, it is obvious that a climate of cross-denominational openheartedness and cooperation, as it exists in Sierra Leone, requires broad commitment and active investments,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a precious accomplishment that deserves to be cherished and further developed. Obviously, societal and State institutions play an indispensable role in this ongoing endeavour.\u201d<\/p>\n
During his six-day visit, the Special Rapporteur met with a wide range of relevant Government officials and agencies, as well as representatives of religious or belief communities and civil society organizations in Freetown and Moyamba.<\/p>\n
Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back, in an unpaid capacity, on specific human rights themes. Mr. Bielefeldt will present a report containing his conclusions and recommendations to the Council in 2014.<\/p>\n
UN News<\/i><\/p>\n
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n\n
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