A cause for concern in Europe –
Freedom of opinion, religion and belief. Persecution of and discrimination against minority-groups.
This October, 2013, in Brusells, Soteria International co-organized an event together with the European Interreligious Forum for Religious Freedom (EIFRF), United Sikh International, European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion (EMISCO), Federation Pro Europa Christiana, Coordination des Associations et des Citoyens pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAPLC Europe), Forum for Religious Freedom (FOREF). The stated purpose of the event was to inform the interested public about the politics of repression which is sadly still going on nowadays in what regards certain religious minorities of Europe and to raise attention to the threat of such politics in a democratic European Union. Speakers made the audience aware of the break of international human rights in such cases and also tried to provide beneficial examples that co-exist in Europe with such dubious practices.
Godfrey Bloom, from Britain, opened the event with his introductory speech on the kindred of all people disregard of their religion. He was followed by Father Aelthwine from the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Europe, introducing the first panel, which included Eric Roux (Steering Committee of EIFRF), Bashy Quraishy (Secretary General EMISCO – Strasbourg and Chairman of the Advisory Council European Network Against Racism – Brussels), Jasvir Singh (United Sikhs International) and Paul Herzog Von Oldenburg (Coordinator: International Federation, Pro Europa Christiana).
The first panel referred to the treatment of religious minorities in France, sometimes abusive and in danger of spreading in Europe, providing personal stories and also rising awareness on similar cases from Austria, Belgium, Germany and Russia.
SOURCE : SOTERIA INTERNATIONAL