UNITED NATIONS, Oct 24: Asma Jehangir, United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of religion or beliefs, on Monday decried “that measures adopted by governments in countering terrorism have significantly affected the freedom of religion or belief of numerous religious groups around the world, particularly Muslims.”

Addressing the UN General Assembly on the issue of “Elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religious belief,” she noted that on many occasions, members of groups perceived to have extreme religious groups have been harassed , arrested and deported.

Ms Jehangir stressed: “It is vital to recognise that freedom of religion or belief primarily protects the individual and to some extent collective rights of communities concerned but does not protect religions or beliefs”

She observed that “it is important to keep a balanced approach to follow principles of proportionality while legislating on matters of religion or belies and to judge acts dispassionately.

Ms Jehangir reflected religious communities or beliefs continue to be targets of critical forms of expression and noted “often expressions against major religions attract attention but numerous cases of advocacy of religious hatred against members of similar religious groups go unnoticed.”

Referring to the detainees at the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay and the religious rights she observed “some interrogation techniques were based on religious discrimination and were aimed at offending the religious beliefs of the detainees.”