UN expert warns of growing attacks on sacred sites worldwide

New York, November 21, Interfax – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Elena Marquez, has expressed alarm over a sharp increase in attacks on sacred sites and religious monuments worldwide. Speaking at a UN panel on Thursday, she urged governments to adopt stronger protective measures and to prevent the “political exploitation of religious heritage.”

According to Marquez, the UN has recorded dozens of new incidents over the past year, ranging from arson at rural chapels to vandalism of cemeteries, desecration of mosques and temples, and politically motivated attempts to restrict access to pilgrimage sites.

“Sacred places are often symbols of the deepest cultural and spiritual identity of a community,” Marquez said. “When such sites are targeted, the goal is often to intimidate a group or to erase its historical presence. This cannot be tolerated.”

She stressed that many of the attacks coincide with periods of political tension, especially in regions experiencing elections, demographic shifts, or unresolved territorial disputes. “Religious heritage becomes an easy target for those who seek to provoke fear or manipulate public sentiment,” she added.

Representatives from several religious and human-rights organizations attended the discussion. Father Miguel Ortega, a representative of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Latin America, noted that rural churches in some areas lack any form of state protection. “Local communities often guard their chapels themselves because resources are limited. But this is not a sustainable solution,” he said.

Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist speakers echoed similar concerns. Dr. Leila Farrokh from the International Islamic Council warned that online campaigns targeting religious groups often translate into real-world violence. “Digital hate quickly becomes physical destruction,” she said.

Rabbi Noah Bernstein of the World Jewish Congress added that many attacks are not spontaneous but are carried out by organized groups. “We must recognize the ideological networks behind these acts,” he said, calling for international cooperation to track extremist organizations.

The UN panel emphasized that governments should not only increase security but also invest in interfaith education programs. “A community that understands the history and value of its neighbors’ traditions is far less likely to tolerate acts of hatred,” Marquez noted.

In its concluding statement, the panel urged national authorities to ensure transparent investigations of crimes against sacred sites, to hold perpetrators accountable, and to preserve the cultural and spiritual heritage of all religious communities.

Marquez expressed hope that the UN’s renewed attention to the issue would “encourage states to take concrete steps toward protecting sacred spaces and strengthening mutual respect among believers.”