INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND FREEDOM OF RELIGION The rights to freedom of expression and freedom of religion are well-established in international law. State signatories to international human rights treaties under the International Bill of Rights are required to: protect fundamental rights and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of belief or opinion. Specifically, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) guarantees the right to hold opinions without interference and guarantees everyone the right to FoE and the right to receive and impart information. Any limitations placed on this right must meet the standards required and justified by provisions in Article 19(3) of the ICCPR. Article 18 of the ICCPR also guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Article 20 of the ICCPR declares that any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law. Similarly, relevant provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, and the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees prevent discrimination on the grounds of belief or opinion. Standards for protection of these rights can also be drawn from relevant general comments, resolutions, and reports of the UN Human Rights Council, including General Comment No. 34 of the Committee on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) on freedoms of opinion and expression, General Comment No. 22 of the Human Rights Committee protecting the freedom to manifest religion or belief in worship,  UN Human Rights Council resolution 22/20 on freedom of religion or belief, UN Human Rights Council resolution 17/19 on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, and  UN Human Rights Council resolution 16/18, which sets out a programme to combat intolerance, incitement to violence, stereotyping, stigmatisation of and discrimination against people because of their religion or belief. These rights are applicable to both offline and online spaces, as was reaffirmed in the UN Human Rights Council resolution 20/8 in 2012. The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of Religion or Belief, in his recent report to the UNHRC, has specifically looked at the intersection of the rights to freedom of expression and religion.1 The report explains in detail the interconnected and mutually-reinforcing nature of the two rights. The Special Rapporteur has recognised individuals as the right holders, not religions or belief systems per se. He has also reiterated the need for restrictions to meet international standards. 1 Please see United Nations, Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, (23 December, 2015) A/HRC/31/18 available at http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Religion/A-HRC-31-18_en.pdf 18