60 Times Religion Defied the United Nations' Resolve for Peace and Security

Throughout history, mainstream religions have played a significant role in shaping societies, providing guidance, and fostering a sense of community for billions of people worldwide. However, there have been instances where certain religious practices and beliefs have led to gross human rights violations. These violations prompted the United Nations to intervene, both politically and financially, in order to address these conflicts and protect vulnerable populations. In this article, we will explore some examples of human rights crimes committed by mainstream religions and examine the financial cost incurred by the UN and governments to deal with these conflicts.

1. The Arab-Israeli conflict: The UN has been involved in numerous attempts to resolve the ongoing conflict between Israel and various Arab states.

2. The Kashmir conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to resolve the territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over the region of Kashmir.

3. The Cyprus conflict: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping efforts to resolve the dispute between Greek and Turkish Cypriots on the island of Cyprus.

4. The Sudanese Civil War: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts to resolve the conflict between the Sudanese government and rebel groups in Sudan.

5. The Lebanese Civil War: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping efforts to resolve the conflict between various factions in Lebanon.

6. The Nigerian sectarian conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the ongoing conflict between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.

7. The Bosnian War: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping efforts and war crimes investigations during the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

8. The Rwandan genocide: The UN was involved in peacekeeping efforts during the genocide in Rwanda and faced criticism for its failure to prevent the mass killings.

9. The Sri Lankan Civil War: The UN has been involved in efforts to resolve the conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers.

10. The Northern Ireland conflict: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping efforts and mediation between Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland.

11. The Afghan Civil War: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan following the overthrow of the Taliban regime.

12. The ongoing conflict in Yemen: The UN has been involved in peace negotiations and humanitarian aid efforts to address the conflict between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels.

13. The Central African Republic conflict: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping efforts to resolve the conflict between various armed groups in the Central African Republic.

14. The Israeli-Lebanese conflict: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping efforts to prevent hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.

15. The Colombian conflict: The UN has been involved in peace negotiations and monitoring efforts to address the conflict between the Colombian government and guerrilla groups.

16. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to resolve the territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

17. The East Timor conflict: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping and nation-building efforts in East Timor following its independence from Indonesia.

18. The South Sudanese Civil War: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts to address the conflict between the South Sudanese government and rebel groups.

19. The Ivory Coast conflict: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping efforts and political mediation to resolve the conflict in Ivory Coast.

20. The Democratic Republic of Congo conflict: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping efforts to address the conflict and humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

21. The Mali conflict: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping efforts to address the conflict between the Malian government and various armed groups.

22. The Somalia conflict: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts to address the conflict and instability in Somalia.

23. The Western Sahara conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to resolve the territorial dispute between Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

24. The Mozambican Civil War: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping efforts and humanitarian aid to address the conflict between the Mozambican government and rebel groups.

25. The Burundian Civil War: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping and political mediation to resolve the conflict in Burundi.

26. The Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to resolve the border dispute and conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

27. The Nigerian-Biafran conflict: The UN was involved in peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts during the Nigerian-Biafran war in the late 1960s.

28. The Indonesian sectarian conflicts: The UN has been involved in efforts to address religious and ethnic conflicts in Indonesia, including conflicts in Aceh and Maluku.

29. The Iraq War: The UN was involved in diplomatic efforts and humanitarian aid during the Iraq War and its aftermath.

30. The Ivory Coast-Burkina Faso border conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to resolve the border dispute and conflict between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.

31. The Uganda-Lord's Resistance Army conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the conflict between the Ugandan government and the Lord's Resistance Army.

32. The Sudan-South Sudan border conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to resolve the border dispute and conflict between Sudan and South Sudan.

33. The Thai-Muslim insurgency: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the ongoing insurgency in Southern Thailand, which has a religious dimension.

34. The Georgian-Abkhazian conflict: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping and political mediation to address the conflict between Georgia and the breakaway region of Abkhazia.

35. The Ethiopian-Somali conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the conflict between Ethiopia and Somali armed groups, including the Ogaden National Liberation Front.

36. The Nigerian-Fulani conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the conflict between farmers and Fulani herders in Nigeria, which has a religious and ethnic dimension.

37. The Sudan-Darfur conflict: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts to address the conflict and humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan.

38. The Philippines-Moro conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the conflict between the Philippine government and Muslim separatist groups in Mindanao.

39. The Thai-Buddhist-Muslim conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the conflict between Buddhist and Muslim communities in Southern Thailand.

40. The Nigerian-Boko Haram conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the conflict between the Nigerian government and the extremist group Boko Haram.

41. The Myanmar-Rohingya conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the persecution and displacement of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar.

42. The Afghan-Taliban conflict: The UN has been involved in peace negotiations and stabilization efforts in Afghanistan, including addressing the conflict with the Taliban.

43. The Central African Republic religious violence: The UN has been involved in peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts to address religious violence and conflict in the Central African Republic.

44. The Nigerian-Jos conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the religious and ethnic conflict in the city of Jos, Nigeria.

45. The Lebanese-Syrian conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the spillover of the Syrian civil war into Lebanon and mitigate sectarian tensions.

46. The Myanmar-Kachin conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the conflict between the Myanmar government and the Kachin Independence Army, which has ethnic and religious dimensions.

47. The Nigerian-Plateau conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the conflicts and violence between different ethnic and religious groups on the Plateau region of Nigeria.

48. The Sudan-Blue Nile conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the conflict between the Sudanese government and rebel groups in the Blue Nile region, which has ethnic and religious dimensions.

49. The Sri Lankan-Buddhist-Muslim conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the religious and ethnic tensions between the Buddhist and Muslim communities in Sri Lanka.

50. The Myanmar-Chin conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the conflict between the Myanmar government and the Chin National Front, which has ethnic and religious dimensions.

51. The Nigerian-Shia Muslim conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the tensions and violence between the Nigerian government and the Shia Muslim community led by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).

52. The Ethiopian-Oromo conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the conflict between the Ethiopian government and the Oromo ethnic group, which has religious and ethnic dimensions.

53. The Myanmar-Rakhine conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the violence and persecution targeting the Rohingya Muslim minority in the Rakhine State of Myanmar.

54. The Syrian sectarian conflict: The UN has been involved in attempts to mitigate the sectarian tensions and violence that have emerged during the Syrian civil war.

55. The Nigerian-Tiv-Jukun conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the intercommunal conflict between the Tiv and Jukun ethnic groups in Nigeria, which has a religious dimension.

56. The Iraqi-Kurdish conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the tensions and conflicts between the Iraqi government and the Kurdish population, which has religious and ethnic dimensions.

57. The Myanmar-Karen conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the conflict between the Myanmar government and the Karen National Union, which has religious and ethnic dimensions.

58. The Indian-Pakistani sectarian conflicts: The UN has been involved in efforts to mitigate the tensions and violence arising from sectarian conflicts between different religious communities in India and Pakistan.

59. The Sri Lankan-Buddhist-Tamil conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the long-standing conflict between the Sri Lankan government, dominated by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority, and the Tamil minority.

60. The Nigerian-Itsekiri-Ijaw conflict: The UN has been involved in efforts to address the intercommunal conflict between the Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic groups in Nigeria, which has religious and ethnic dimensions.

These are just a few examples, and there have been numerous other instances where the UN has played a role in addressing religious conflicts around the world.

Financial Cost to the United Nations and Governments

Addressing human rights crimes associated with mainstream religions comes at a significant financial cost to the United Nations and governments. The UN's involvement in conflict resolution, peacekeeping missions, and humanitarian aid in regions affected by religious conflicts requires substantial resources. These resources are necessary to ensure the protection of vulnerable populations, provide emergency relief, and support long-term peacebuilding efforts.

Additionally, governments often bear financial burdens when dealing with the aftermath of religious conflicts. They must allocate funds for reconstruction, rehabilitation, and providing essential services to affected communities. Moreover, governments may incur expenses related to legal proceedings, as accountability and justice play a crucial role in addressing human rights abuses.

It is essential to acknowledge and address the human rights abuses that have occurred under the guise of religious practices. The United Nations has played a vital role in advocating for religious freedom, combating discrimination, and protecting vulnerable populations affected by religious conflicts. However, the financial cost incurred by the UN and governments underscores the urgent need for religious leaders, communities, and governments to actively promote human rights, equality, and tolerance within religious contexts. Only through collective efforts can we create a world where religious beliefs and practices coexist harmoniously with human rights and dignity.