PAMUN XIII RESEARCH REPORT - QUESTION OF: MEASURES TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND THE RIGHT TO BELIEVE
|
|
- Nicholas Merritt
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 PAMUN XIII RESEARCH REPORT - QUESTION OF: MEASURES TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND THE RIGHT TO BELIEVE I. Introduction of Topic: A person s religion is an important source of meaning, identity, dignity and purpose in one s life; the right to practice the religion of one s own choice is widely considered to be a basic human right. As such, religious freedom is an essential part of secure, thriving societies. Yet people worldwide are deprived of this right and subjected to violence, threats, discrimination and abuse because of their religious beliefs. This is truly a global issue, with violence occurring against Catholics and Falon Gong in China, Jews in Hungary, Bahá'ís in Egypt, Jehovah s Witnesses and Hare Krishnas in Russia, Shia and Sufi Muslims in Iran, and Ahmaddiya Muslims in Pakistan, to name just a few examples. Beyond the moral failure associated with the failure to protect the basic human right of religious freedom, and even beyond the unacceptable violence against individuals, religious intolerance can destabilize governments. For instance, in 2011 two high-ranking government officials in Pakistan were assassinated for their opposition to blasphemy laws, including Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab province. Less violent, but nonetheless important, challenges to religious freedom exist even in countries where the right of religious freedom is very well established. For instance, in 2011 France passed a law banning the wearing of face coverings such as Islamic niqābs 1, which generated significant controversy on the balance between societal norms and religious freedom. And in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (USA) some residents attempted to block the construction of a mosque in the spring of 2010 by claiming, as reported by the US Justice Department, that Islam is a political ideology rather than a religion and that mosques are political rather than religious in nature. The mosque officially opened in August 2012, but opponents are still challenging the mosque in federal court. Issues of religious freedom and the right to believe are often complicated by the strong emotional and spiritual fervor which opposing sides bring to the debate and by the equally important rights to freedom of speech which, in the perception of many religious faithful, enables others to take blasphemous and highly offensive actions. The challenge to the international community is to navigate these emotionally charged issues in a fair and balanced manner. II. Background: Governments in certain societies have recognized the right to religious freedom throughout the ages. For instance, Cyrus the Great, the ruler of the Persian Empire in the sixth century BC permitted the restoration of temples and religious practices of the local populations across an empire that extended from the border of Egypt to the north of India. More than two thousand years after Cyrus rule, Thomas Jefferson owned two replicas of a Persian cylinder with inscribed text that described the importance of religious freedom under 1 A niqāb is a face veil covering the lower part of the face (up to the eyes) worn by observant Muslim women. Page 1 of 6
2 Cyrus. This knowledge influenced Jefferson as he drafted, in 1777, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom that states: no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened 2 in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities. Twelve years afterwards, in 1789, the first amendment of the US constitution stated: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the fee exercise thereof. And Article 18 of the 1948 UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. The November 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief noted that religion or belief, for anyone who professes either, is one of the fundamental elements in his conception of life and that freedom of religion or belief should be fully respected and guaranteed. Unfortunately, even 65 years after the 1948 UN Declaration of Human Rights, religious tolerance is far from a universally practiced principle. The Institute on Religion and Public Policy estimates that more people were killed in the 20th century for their religious beliefs than in the previous 19 centuries combined. 3 As of 2010 approximately seventy five percent of the world s population lives in countries where religious freedom is highly restricted. 4 Beyond the denial of an individual s right to believe as he or she wishes, the restriction of religious choice can lead to significant other problems such as violence and societal violence. 5 Some countries have used blasphemy and apostasy 6 laws to curb religious freedom by preventing individuals the right to believe (or to not 2 Burthered is an archaic form of the term burdened. 3 Fig. 1 4 Fig.1 provides data from a 2010 study on religious freedom.by the Pew Research Center 5 Fig.2 illustrates data from a study by the Pew Research Center that found a strong correlation between social hostilities in countries where there are the greatest restrictions on religious freedoms. 6 Apostasy is the abandonment or renunciation of a religious belief. Page 2 of 6
3 believe) whatever religious teachings the personally chose. Fig. 2 The rights of free speech and expression and the right of religious freedom are distinct yet related rights: in fact both are part of the first amendment of the US constitution. Yet one person s freedom of expression can be deeply offensive to the faithful of religions that are targeted by that expression. The 1989 artistic photograph Immersion (Piss Christ) by the American artist and photographer Andres Serrano shows a crucifix 7 submerged in the artist s urine. The work generated extensive backlash and scandal because devout Christians considered the work to be blasphemous and offensive. The artist received multiple death threats and hate mail, and the art was vandalized when being exhibited in in the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia. Similarly, the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published twelve editorial cartoons not only depicting Muhammad s face 8 but also implying that Muhammad was a supporter of terrorism. This led to protests around the world, including 7 A crucifix is a sculpture of Jesus Christ on a cross. 8 Devout Muslim s believe that depictions of Muhammad are heretical and disrespectful. Page 3 of 6
4 violent demonstrations and riots in some Islamic countries, and an alleged plot to assassinate one of the cartoonists. And in 2007 Swedish artist Lars Vilks depicted Muhammad as a roundabout dog 9 also provoking major protests from the faithful around the Islamic world. Different parties and governments can disagree strongly in their individual interpretations of the best way to protect religious freedom, and on the degree to which individuals have a right to disagree with or to contest a religion or its tenets, and to what degree freedom of expression outweighs the right to protect that religion from what is considered blasphemous or obscene. In the wake of the Christ Piss exhibition, the US congress enacted legislation, later upheld by the Supreme Court when challenged by supporters of freedom of expression, that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) must take "into consideration general standards of decency" in awarding grants. In response to the Muhammad cartoons, the Muhammad as roundabout dog, and other offenses, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 10 successfully advocated the UN Human Rights Council to pass multiple resolutions to protect religions from defamation, despite the opposition of many western governments to these UN HRC resolutions. Supporters of anti-defamation of religion laws argue that Islam and other faiths need legal safeguards to discourage hate crimes, discrimination and the rising tide of Islamophobia in the world. Opponents of anti-defamation resolutions argue that this type of resolution, or laws based on similar concepts, infringe on individual rights of expression and that laws protecting religions from defamation or criticism actually increase intolerance and human rights violations. In 2011 the United States and the European Union finally supported a version of a OIC-sponsored resolution along these lines because changes in wording shifted the focus from protecting beliefs to protecting believers and called for "combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatisation of, and discrimination, incitement to violence, and violence against persons based on religion or belief". After passage by the HRC, a similar resolution passed the UN General Assembly in December 2011, also with US and European support. One of the biggest and fastest growing issues for religious freedom relates to the actions of non-state actors such as individuals, mobs, insurgents, militant organizations and terrorist organizations which are often motivated by a violent ideology, a desire to impose their religious beliefs on others, and to harshly punish those who do not follow their own religion. This occurs especially (but not only) in the case of failed states or poorly governed countries. For example, in northern Mali from 2008 to 2012 Islamist extremist groups conducted hudood 11 punishments and desecrated historic shrines of the Sufi branch of the Islamist religion. In northern Nigeria, the group Boko Haram has targeted Christians to cleanse Nigeria of morally corrupt religions that are not based on pure Shari ah law. 9 Roundabout dog refers to a Swedish fad that started in 2006 of anonymous people placing homemade sculptures of dogs in traffic circles. 10 The OIC is the largest voting block in the United Nations, representing 56 UN Member States plus the Palestinian Authority, whose population totals approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide 11 In Islamic law or Sharia, hudud usually refers to the class of punishments that are fixed for certain crimes that are considered to be "claims of God." Page 4 of 6
5 III. Relevant International Agreements, Conventions, Organizations and Resolutions: 1948: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) set out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected. 1966: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) requires its signatories to respect the rights of individuals, including their rights to religious freedom. 1981: UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief 2008: Combating Defamation of Religions was one of multiple resolutions passed by the UN Human Rights Council despite opposition by the US and many European UN member states based on their interpretation of the right to believe. 2011: Combating Intolerance, Negative Stereotyping, Stigmatization, Discrimination, Incitement to Violence and Violence Against Persons, Based on Religion or Belief. IV. Main Issues: Although the UN and many other bodies have worked diligently for decades to improve religious tolerance and freedom, significant issues remain to be addressed. Non-state actors: Individuals, mobs, vigilante groups, insurgents and other groups are often motivated by violent religious ideologies and seek to impose their religious beliefs on local populations and to punish harshly those who practice different religions, and/or different means of expressing the same religion. Central and local governments often have great difficulty, and insufficient resources, to counter non-state actors other than by military means, without addressing underlying causes that enable such groups to sprout in a country or community. Insult to Religions versus Free Speech: A balance must be struck between protecting the right of religious believers and the freedom of expression rights of others to criticize or even mock any subject they feel like, even if doing so offends the standards of decency and concepts of blasphemy that religiously devout people may hold. Detention of Asylum Seekers: Across the world, including in Europe, the US and Australia, refugees who have fled religious persecution are detained until the successfully apply for political asylum. Yet this process is often very complex legally and applies to people who often do not even speak the language of the country in which they have sought asylum. Legal representation and other resources are often sourly lacking, resulting in long delays (even years) occur, and refugees are sometimes kept in very poor conditions. Page 5 of 6
6 V. Web Sites: USCIRF (U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom) is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, the first of its kind in the world, dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad: UN (United Nations) provides a complete and thorough overview of worldwide peace and security, development, human rights, humanitarian affairs and international law: The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 States responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe: OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) is the world's largest regional security organization with 57 member States from Europe, Central Asia and North America. It has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico- military, economic, environmental, and human aspects: Religious Tolerence.org is a website of multi-faith group whose purpose is to disseminate accurate religious information, exposing religious fraud, hatred and misinformation and promoting religious tolerance: The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief is an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council whose mandate is to identify existing and emerging obstacles to the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief and present recommendations on ways and means to overcome such obstacles. The Institute on Religion & Public Policy is an international, inter-religious non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring freedom of religion as the foundation for security, stability, and democracy. The Institute works globally to promote fundamental rights, and religious freedom in particular, with government policy-makers, religious leaders, business executives, academics, non-governmental organizations and others. International Coalition for Religious Freedom "is a non-profit, non-sectarian, educational organization dedicated to defending the religious freedom of all, regardless of creed, gender, or ethnic origin. Page 6 of 6
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly. [on the report of the Third Committee (A/65/456/Add.2 (Part II))]
United Nations A/RES/65/211 General Assembly Distr.: General 30 March 2011 Sixty-fifth session Agenda item 68 (b) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [on the report of the Third Committee (A/65/456/Add.2
More informationSituation of Christians in the context of freedom of religion
P7_TA-PROV(2011)0021 Situation of Christians in the context of freedom of religion European Parliament resolution of 20 January 2011 on the situation of Christians in the context of freedom of religion
More informationAlgeria Bahrain Egypt Iran
Algeria The constitution provides for freedom of conscience and worship. The constitution declares Islam to be the state religion and prohibits state institutions from behaving in a manner incompatible
More informationInstitute on Religion and Public Policy. Report on Religious Freedom in Egypt
Institute on Religion and Public Policy Report on Religious Freedom in Egypt Executive Summary (1) The Egyptian government maintains a firm grasp on all religious institutions and groups within the country.
More informationCampion School Model United Nations
Fourth Session: October 8 th th 9, 2016 Campion School Model United Nations Special Conference on Faith and Freedom The OIC, the UN and apostaphobia. Chair: Nick Hagis Co-Chair: Tsitsiridakis Evangelos
More informationTHE PROBLEM OF BLASPHEMY AND DEFAMATION OF RELIGION LAWS
THE PROBLEM OF BLASPHEMY AND DEFAMATION OF RELIGION LAWS Paul Sturges Loughborough University, UK Introduction Precisely on the day the first words of this Spotlight were written, a newspaper story reported
More informationSt. Petersburg, Russian Federation October Item 2 2 October 2017
137 th IPU Assembly St. Petersburg, Russian Federation 14 18 October 2017 Assembly A/137/2-P.4 Item 2 2 October 2017 Consideration of requests for the inclusion of an emergency item in the Assembly agenda
More informationRESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. [on the report of the Third Committee (A/49/610/Add.2)]
UNITED NATIONS A General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/RES/49/188 6 March 1995 Forty-ninth session Agenda item 100 (b) RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY [on the report of the Third Committee (A/49/610/Add.2)]
More informationDeclaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief
Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief Proclaimed by General Assembly of the United Nations on 25 November 1981 (resolution 36/55)
More informationSt. Petersburg, Russian Federation October Item 2 6 October 2017
137 th IPU Assembly St. Petersburg, Russian Federation 14 18 October 2017 Assembly A/137/2-P.7 Item 2 6 October 2017 Consideration of requests for the inclusion of an emergency item in the Assembly agenda
More informationStatement by Heiner Bielefeldt SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF. 65 th session of the General Assembly Third Committee Item 68 (b)
Check against delivery Statement by Heiner Bielefeldt SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF 65 th session of the General Assembly Third Committee Item 68 (b) 21 October 2010 New York Honourable
More informationObservations and Topics to be Included in the List of Issues
Observations and Topics to be Included in the List of Issues On the occasion of Myanmar s Combined Fourth and Fifth Periodic Reports on the Implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
More informationInstitute on Religion and Public Policy Report: Religious Freedom in Uzbekistan
Executive Summary Institute on Religion and Public Policy Report: Religious Freedom in Uzbekistan (1). The Republic of Uzbekistan pays homage to the concept of religious freedom in name only. The Law of
More informationUnited Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Bangladesh
United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Bangladesh Submission of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty 1 September 2008 1350 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 605 Washington, D.C. 20036
More informationStruggle between extreme and moderate Islam
EXTREMISM AND DOMESTIC TERRORISM Struggle between extreme and moderate Islam Over half of Canadians believe there is a struggle in Canada between moderate Muslims and extremist Muslims. Fewer than half
More informationInstitute on Religion and Public Policy Report: Religious Freedom in Kuwait
Executive Summary Institute on Religion and Public Policy Report: Religious Freedom in Kuwait (1) The official religion of Kuwait and the inspiration for its Constitution and legal code is Islam. With
More informationRemarks by Bani Dugal
The Civil Society and the Education on Human Rights as a Tool for Promoting Religious Tolerance UNGA Ministerial Segment Side Event, 27 September 2012 Crisis areas, current and future challenges to the
More informationCompendium of key international human rights agreements concerning Freedom of Religion or Belief
Compendium of key international human rights agreements concerning Freedom of Religion or Belief Contents Introduction... 2 United Nations agreements/documents... 2 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
More informationApostasy and Conversion Kishan Manocha
Apostasy and Conversion Kishan Manocha In the context of a conference which tries to identify how the international community can strengthen its ability to protect religious freedom and, in particular,
More informationMUSLIM MOB AT MISSIONS WEEK
Monday, 18 July 2005, the Frontline Fellowship Field Director, was surrounded by a mob of Muslim students at the University of Pretoria threatening him and demanding that the Frontline Fellowship missions
More informationUNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW JOINT SUBMISSION 2018
NGOS IN PARTNERSHIP: ETHICS & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION (ERLC) & THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM INSTITUTE (RFI) UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW JOINT SUBMISSION 2018 RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN MALAYSIA The Ethics & Religious
More informationArticle 31 under Part 3 on Fundamental Rights and Duties of current draft Constitution provides for Right to Religious freedom:
HAUT-COMMISSARIAT AUX DROITS DE L HOMME OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PALAIS DES NATIONS 1211 GENEVA 10, SWITZERLAND www.ohchr.org TEL: +41 22 917 9359 / +41 22 917 9407 FAX: +41 22
More informationInstitute on Religion and Public Policy: Religious Freedom in Greece
HDIM.NGO/396/08 7 October 2008 Executive Summary Institute on Religion and Public Policy: Religious Freedom in Greece (1) The Constitution of Greece begins by asserting that the state s principal duty
More informationNGO: EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE (ECLJ) UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW MAY-JUNE 2012 RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN BAHRAIN
NGO: EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE (ECLJ) UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW MAY-JUNE 2012 RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN BAHRAIN www.eclj.org 4,quai Koch 67000 Strasbourg, France Phone: +33 (0)3.88.24.94.40 Fax: +33
More informationII. The Elimination of All Forms of Religious Intolerance
II. The Elimination of All Forms of Religious Intolerance By acting together to end discrimination, we can lift humanity as a whole. As societies become multi-ethnic, multireligious and multi-cultural,
More informationNATIONS UNIES HAUT COMMISSARIAT DES NATIONS UNIES AUX DROITS DE L HOMME UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
NATIONS UNIES HAUT COMMISSARIAT DES NATIONS UNIES AUX DROITS DE L HOMME PROCEDURES SPECIALES DU CONSEIL DES DROITS DE L HOMME UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
More informationDECLARATION OF THE CONTACT GROUP ON ROHINGYA MUSLIMS OF MYANMAR HELD ON THE SIDELINES OF THE ANNUAL COORDINATION MEETING 19 SEPTEMBER 2017
OIC/ACM/CG-ROHINGYA/REPORT -2017 DECLARATION OF THE CONTACT GROUP ON ROHINGYA MUSLIMS OF MYANMAR HELD ON THE SIDELINES OF THE ANNUAL COORDINATION MEETING 19 SEPTEMBER 2017 NEW YORK, USA DECLARATION OF
More informationLesson Plan: Religious Persecution For Christian schools and home schools in Canada (Grades 10 12)
Lesson Plan: Religious Persecution For Christian schools and home schools in Canada (Grades 10 12) www.arpacanada.ca 1-866-691-ARPA mark@arpacanada.ca Religious Persecution Unless otherwise noted, the
More informationDissent from Vice Chair Zogby On IRFA Implementation Section of 2017 Annual Report
In 2013, and again in 2015, President Barack Obama appointed me to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). It has been an honor to have served as a Commissioner these past four
More informationGerman Islam Conference
German Islam Conference Conclusions of the plenary held on 17 May 2010 Future work programme I. Embedding the German Islam Conference into society As a forum that promotes the dialogue between government
More informationUNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW THIRD CYCLE. Submission to the 29 th session of the Human Rights Council s Universal Periodic Review Working Group
ECOSOC Special Consultative Status (2010) UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW THIRD CYCLE Submission to the 29 th session of the Human Rights Council s Universal Periodic Review Working Group January 2018, Geneva,
More informationECOSOC Special Consultative Status (2010) UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW THIRD CYCLE
ECOSOC Special Consultative Status (2010) UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW THIRD CYCLE Submission to the 27 th session of the Human Rights Council s Universal Periodic Review Working Group April-May 2017, Geneva,
More informationLarge and Growing Numbers of Muslims Reject Terrorism, Bin Laden
Large and Growing Numbers of Muslims Reject Terrorism, Bin Laden June 30, 2006 Negative Views of West and US Unabated New polls of Muslims from around the world find large and increasing percentages reject
More informationWHAT FREEDOM OF RELIGION INVOLVES AND WHEN IT CAN BE LIMITED
WHAT FREEDOM OF RELIGION INVOLVES AND WHEN IT CAN BE LIMITED A QUICK GUIDE TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Further information Further information about the state of religious freedom internationally together with
More informationCouncil on American-Islamic Relations RESEARCH CENTER AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION ABOUT ISLAM AND MUSLIMS
CAIR Council on American-Islamic Relations RESEARCH CENTER AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION ABOUT ISLAM AND MUSLIMS 2006 453 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20003-2604 Tel: 202-488-8787 Fax: 202-488-0833 Web:
More informationRight to freedom of religion or belief
International human rights Right to freedom of religion or belief Prepared by Catherine Morris, BA, JD, LLM December 2017 Overview of this presentation 1. United nations instruments and treaties The Universal
More informationA/HRC/S-27/..Situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar
FOR SECRETARIAT USE ONLY A/HRC/S-27/L.1 Received from (main sponsors): Algeria, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan and Turkey Date and time: 4.12.2017, 17:58 Initials: PT Pages:
More informationIn defence of the four freedoms : freedom of religion, conscience, association and speech
In defence of the four freedoms : freedom of religion, conscience, association and speech Understanding religious freedom Religious freedom is a fundamental human right the expression of which is bound
More informationUNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW - THIRD CYCLE. Submission to the 33 rd session of the Human Rights Council s Universal Periodic Review Working Group
ECOSOC Special Consultative Status (2010) UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW - THIRD CYCLE Submission to the 33 rd session of the Human Rights Council s Universal Periodic Review Working Group April 2019, Geneva,
More informationTHE IMMIGRATION ACTS. Heard at Field House Decision & Reasons Promulgated On November 30, 2018 On December 7, Before
Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) Appeal Numbers: PA/13137/2017 THE IMMIGRATION ACTS Heard at Field House Decision & Reasons Promulgated On November 30, 2018 On December 7, 2018 Before DEPUTY
More informationShias in Prison. Sunni Muslims in Prison
SAUDI ARABIA The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a population of around 29 million, although only 20 million of these inhabitants are citizens, as the country has a large expatriate community. The country
More informationReligions and government policies fundamentalism vs. modernity/secularism
Religious Conflicts Religions and government policies fundamentalism vs. modernity/secularism strict adherence to specific theological doctrines usually understood as reaction against modern or secular
More informationTHE ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION
THE ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) (formerly Organization of the Islamic Conference) is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United
More informationECOSOC Special Consultative Status (2010) UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW THIRD CYCLE
ECOSOC Special Consultative Status (2010) UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW THIRD CYCLE Submission to the 28 th session of the Human Rights Council s Universal Periodic Review Working Group October-November 2017,
More informationRELIGIOUS FREEDOMS IN REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
ALBANA METAJ-STOJANOVA RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS IN REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA DOI: 10.1515/seeur-2015-0019 ABSTRACT With the independence of Republic of Macedonia and the adoption of the Constitution of Macedonia,
More informationThis document consists of 10 printed pages.
Cambridge International Examinations Cambridge International Advanced Level THINKING SKILLS 9694/43 Paper 4 Applied Reasoning MARK SCHEME imum Mark: 50 Published This mark scheme is published as an aid
More informationSpeaking Freely About Religion: Religious Freedom, Defamation and Blasphemy
Speaking Freely About Religion: Religious Freedom, Defamation and Blasphemy International Humanist and Ethical Union policy paper 1 Gower Street, London WC1E 6HD, United Kingdom E-mail: iheu-office@iheu.org
More informationRESOLUTION ON THE SITUATION OF THE ROHINGYA MUSLIM MINORITY IN MYANMAR PRESENTED TO THE
OIC/ EX-CFM/2017/FINAL RES RESOLUTION ON THE SITUATION OF THE ROHINGYA MUSLIM MINORITY IN MYANMAR PRESENTED TO THE EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE OIC COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS (CFM) ON THE SITUATION OF
More informationSUBMISSION BY THE INTERNATIONAL HUMANIST AND ETHICAL UNION
1 Gower Street, London WC1E 6HD, United Kingdom E Mail iheu-office@iheu.org Website www.iheu.org SUBMISSION BY THE INTERNATIONAL HUMANIST AND ETHICAL UNION (IHEU) JOINTLY WITH THE (UK) NATIONAL SECULAR
More informationFINAL PAPER. CSID Sixth Annual Conference Democracy and Development: Challenges for the Islamic World Washington, DC - April 22-23, 2005
FINAL PAPER CSID Sixth Annual Conference Democracy and Development: Challenges for the Islamic World Washington, DC - April 22-23, 2005 More than Clothing: Veiling as a Cultural, Social, Political and
More informationNGO: EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE (ECLJ) UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW MAY-JUNE 2012 RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
NGO: EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE (ECLJ) UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW MAY-JUNE 2012 RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA 4,quai Koch 67000 Strasbourg, France Phone: +33 (0)3.88.24.94.40 Fax:
More informationAMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE S MEMORANDUM OF LAW REGARDING THE CRIMINAL TRIAL OF ABDUL RAHMAN FOR CONVERTING FROM ISLAM TO CHRISTIANITY
Jay Alan Sekulow, J.D., Ph.D. Chief Counsel AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE S MEMORANDUM OF LAW REGARDING THE CRIMINAL TRIAL OF ABDUL RAHMAN FOR CONVERTING FROM ISLAM TO CHRISTIANITY March 24, 2006
More informationQATAR. Executive Summary
QATAR Executive Summary The constitution stipulates that the state religion is Islam and national law incorporates both secular legal traditions and Sharia (Islamic law). Sunni and Shia Muslims practiced
More informationNanjing Statement on Interfaith Dialogue
Nanjing Statement on Interfaith Dialogue (Nanjing, China, 19 21 June 2007) 1. We, the representatives of ASEM partners, reflecting various cultural, religious, and faith heritages, gathered in Nanjing,
More informationMuslims and Multiculturalism in Canada
Muslims and Multiculturalism in Canada Presentation of Landmark Public Opinion Research April 2007 DEMOGRAPHICS Percent of population foreign-born Source: OECD 2003 30 20 23 19.3 10 12.3 8.3 0 Australia
More informationNational Association of Muslim American Women PO Box 72032, Columbus Ohio 43207
National Association of Muslim American Women PO Box 72032, Columbus Ohio 43207 Executive Office for United States Attorneys United States Department of Justice Director, Michael Battle 950 Pennsylvania
More informationThe Speck in Your Brother s Eye The Alleged War of Islam Against the West Truth
The Speck in Your Brother s Eye The Alleged War of Islam Against the West Truth Marked for Death contains 217 pages and the words truth or true are mentioned in it at least eleven times. As an academic
More informationHAUT-COMMISSARIAT AUX DROITS DE L HOMME OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PALAIS DES NATIONS 1211 GENEVA 10, SWITZERLAND
HAUT-COMMISSARIAT AUX DROITS DE L HOMME OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PALAIS DES NATIONS 1211 GENEVA 10, SWITZERLAND Mandates of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection
More informationChapter 5 The Peace Process
Chapter 5 The Peace Process AIPAC strongly supports a negotiated two-state solution a Jewish state of Israel living in peace and security with a demilitarized Palestinian state as the clear path to resolving
More informationDorata RABCZEWSKA. Third-party intervention submissions by ARTICLE 19
In the European Court of Human Rights App. No. 8257/13 Between Dorata RABCZEWSKA Applicant v. Poland Respondent Government Third-party intervention submissions by ARTICLE 19 Introduction 1. This third-party
More informationIntroduction. Special Conference. Combating the rise of religious extremism. Student Officer: William Harding. President of Special Conference
Forum: Issue: Special Conference Combating the rise of religious extremism Student Officer: William Harding Position: President of Special Conference Introduction Ever since the start of the 21st century,
More informationTestimony on ENDA and the Religious Exemption. Rabbi David Saperstein. Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Testimony on ENDA and the Religious Exemption Rabbi David Saperstein Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism House Committee on Education and Labor September 23, 2009 Thank you for inviting
More informationUnited Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review. Ireland. Submission of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.
United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Ireland Submission of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty 21 March 2011 3000 K St. NW Suite 220 Washington, D.C. 20007 T: +1 (202) 955 0095
More informationWhether our foreign policy is up to the challenge is, in my view, a question of increasing concern.
Of Down Syndrome and Violence: Religious Freedom and US Foreign Policy Remarks at a Conference on "International Religious Freedom: An Imperative for Peace and the Common Good," September 12, 2012, The
More informationIslam and Religion in the Middle East
Islam and Religion in the Middle East The Life of Young Muhammad Born in 570 CE to moderately influential Meccan family Early signs that Muhammad would be Prophet Muhammad s mother (Amina) hears a voice
More informationEuropean Parliament resolution of 13 June 2013 on the situation of Rohingya Muslims (2013/2669(RSP))
P7_TA-PROV(2013)0286 Situation of Rohingya Muslims European Parliament resolution of 13 June 2013 on the situation of Rohingya Muslims (2013/2669(RSP)) The European Parliament, having regard to its previous
More informationPakistan - Researched and compiled by the Refugee Documentation Centre of Ireland on 25 April 2012
Pakistan - Researched and compiled by the Refugee Documentation Centre of Ireland on 25 April 2012 Treatment of Hazara s in Pakistan An article in Dawn from April 2012 points out that: Eight more people
More informationThe Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center November 25, 2010 Hamas and Hezbollah's satellite channels continue broadcasting via Arab-Muslim and Western satellites. The broadcasts spread
More informationLiving by Separate Laws: Halachah, Sharia and America Shabbat Chukkat 5777
Living by Separate Laws: Halachah, Sharia and America Shabbat Chukkat 5777 June 30, 2017 Rabbi Barry H. Block In 1960, when John F. Kennedy ran for President, many Americans questioned whether our country
More informationSouthwest Asia (Middle East) History Vocabulary Part 1
Southwest Asia (Middle East) History Vocabulary Part 1 Mandate An official order to carry out something example The government issued a mandate for citizens to carry identification. Partition To divide
More informationA TIME FOR RECOMMITMENT BUILDING THE NEW RELAT IONSHIP BETWEEN JEWS AND CHRISTIANS
A TIME FOR RECOMMITMENT BUILDING THE NEW RELAT IONSHIP BETWEEN JEWS AND CHRISTIANS In the summer of 1947, 65 Jews and Christians from 19 countries gathered in Seelisberg, Switzerland. They came together
More informationConsultation with Islamic scholars on polio eradication
Summary report on the Consultation with Islamic scholars on polio eradication WHO-EM/POL/404/E Cairo, Egypt 6 7 March 2013 Summary report on the Consultation with Islamic scholars on polio eradication
More informationIslam in other Nations
Islam in other Nations Dr. Peter Hammond s book can be obtained at http://www.amazon.com/ and type in Dr Peter Hammond for his books if you want to follow up on his research. This if for your information
More informationJefferson, Church and State By ReadWorks
Jefferson, Church and State By ReadWorks Thomas Jefferson (1743 1826) was the third president of the United States. He also is commonly remembered for having drafted the Declaration of Independence, but
More informationDivisions over the conflict vary along religious and ethnic lines Christianity in Syria Present since the first century Today comprise about 10% of the population: Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant; Arabs,
More informationTreatment of Muslims in Canada relative to other countries
TREATMENT OF MUSLIMS IN CANADA Treatment of Muslims in Canada relative to other countries Most Canadians feel Muslims are treated better in Canada than in other Western countries. An even higher proportion
More informationRe: Criminal Trial of Abdul Rahman for Converting to Christianity
Jay Alan Sekulow, J.D., Ph.D. Chief Counsel March 22, 2006 His Excellency Said Tayeb Jawad Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Afghanistan Embassy of Afghanistan 2341 Wyoming Avenue, NW Washington,
More informationSyria's Civil War Explained
Syria's Civil War Explained By Al Jazeera, adapted by Newsela staff on 02.22.17 Word Count 1,055 Level 1000L A displaced Syrian child, fleeing from Deir Ezzor besieged by Islamic State (IS) group fighters,
More informationENKA INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2018 World in Crisis
ENKA INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2018 World in Crisis Resolving the refugee placement issue in Myanmar and the surrounding region Ekin Özruh Vice President Committee: Security Council Issue: Resolving
More informationCato Institute 2017 Free Speech and Tolerance Survey
Cato Institute 2017 Free Speech and Tolerance Survey Cato Institute/YouGov August 15-23, 2017 N=2,300 Margin of error +/- 3.00%. Columns may not add up to due to rounding. ALL 1. Which of the following
More informationUNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW THIRD CYCLE. Submission to the 29 th session of the Human Rights Council s Universal Periodic Review Working Group
ECOSOC Special Consultative Status (2010) UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW THIRD CYCLE Submission to the 29 th session of the Human Rights Council s Universal Periodic Review Working Group January 2018, Geneva,
More informationAssessing ISIS one Year Later
University of Central Lancashire From the SelectedWorks of Zenonas Tziarras June, 2015 Assessing ISIS one Year Later Zenonas Tziarras, University of Warwick Available at: https://works.bepress.com/zenonas_tziarras/42/
More informationUnited Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review France
United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review France Submission of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty 8 February 2008 1350 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 605 Washington, D.C. 20036 T: +1
More informationKURZ-INFOS. Islamism in Germany BRIEF INFORMATION. A project of the Catholic and Protestant secretaries for Religious and Ideological Issues
ISLAMISMUS IN DEUTSCHLAND ENGLISCH Islamism in Germany BRIEF INFORMATION KURZ-INFOS A project of the Catholic and Protestant secretaries for Religious and Ideological Issues Evangelische Zentralstelle
More informationConference on Peaceful Coexistence, Dialogue and Combating Radicalization
The Venue The first conference on peaceful coexistence, dialog and combating radicalization was held in Stockholm, Sweden on the16 th and 17 th of April 2010 by The Nordic Union of the Somali Peace and
More informationCIFORB Country Profile Nigeria
CIFORB Country Profile Nigeria Demographics Nigeria has a population of 186,053,386 (July 2016 estimate), making it Africa's largest and the world's seventh largest country by population. Almost two thirds
More informationEgypt s Sufi Al-Azmiyya: An Alternative to Salafism?
Volume 8, Number 8 April 26, 2014 Egypt s Sufi Al-Azmiyya: An Alternative to Salafism? Michael Barak Political and religious figures in Egypt are trying to capitalize on the wave of terrorism that has
More informationDo we still have universal values?
Third Global Ethic Lecture Do we still have universal values? By the Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan at the University of Tübingen on December 12, 2003 Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
More informationTED ANTALYA MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2019
TED ANTALYA MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2019 Forum: SOCHUM Issue: Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism Student Officer: Ali Başar Çandır Position: Co-Chair INTRODUCTION
More informationUnited Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review India
United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review India Submission of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty 20 November 2007 1350 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 605 Washington, D.C. 20036 T: +1
More informationCOUNTRY RANK North Korea Somalia
2015 The World Watch List (WWL) is a ranking of 50 countries where persecution of Christians for religious reasons is most severe. Open Doors works in the world s most oppressive countries, strengthening
More informationUnited Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Islamic Republic of Iran. Submission of Jubilee Campaign USA, Inc.
United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Islamic Republic of Iran Submission of Jubilee Campaign USA, Inc. 1 September 2009 Jubilee Campaign promotes the human rights and religious
More informationModule 7: Body Politics:
Module 7: Body Politics: Module 7a: Hijab 101 (powerpoint) Module 7b: Multiple Meanings & Images of the Hijab (powerpoint) Module 7c: Belonging & Banishment Quebec s Bill 94 (powerpoint) Module 7d: Educator
More informationMOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
EUROPEAN PARLIAMT 2009-2014 Plenary sitting 8.10.2013 B7-0451/2013 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the
More informationOSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting: Freedom of Religion or Belief Vienna June 2017
PC.SHDM.NGO/1/17 22 June 2017 ENGLISH only OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting: Freedom of Religion or Belief Vienna June 2017 Hungary: Discrimination Regarding Church of Scientology Budapest Place
More informationCumberland Lodge Briefing
The Rule of Law - Not Rule by Law : International Legal Implications for FoRB Cumberland Lodge Briefing June 2017 SEVENTY YEARS Author: Kat Eghdamian #FoRB #clforb @CumberlandLodge about Cumberland Lodge
More informationRELIGIOUS LIBERTY INTERNATIONALLY EUROPE EAST AREA. Religious Freedom 2015 Annual Review David A. Channer Office of General Counsel
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY INTERNATIONALLY EUROPE EAST AREA Religious Freedom 2015 Annual Review David A. Channer Office of General Counsel Europe East Area Observations on Challenges to Religious Freedom Foundational
More informationReligious Diversity in Bulgarian Schools: Between Intolerance and Acceptance
Religious Diversity in Bulgarian Schools: Between Intolerance and Acceptance Marko Hajdinjak and Maya Kosseva IMIR Education is among the most democratic and all-embracing processes occurring in a society,
More informationFreedom of Speech Should this be limited or not?
Freedom of Speech Should this be limited or not? Van der Heijden, Rachel Student number: 2185892 Class COAC4A Advanced Course Ethics 2014-2015 Wordcount: 2147 Content Content... 2 1. Normative statement...
More informationStatement by Mr. Heiner Bielefeldt SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF
Check against delivery Statement by Mr. Heiner Bielefeldt SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF 71 st session of the General Assembly Third Committee Item 68 (b & c) 28 October 2016 New York
More information