International Religion Freedom Ministerial side event Separatism and Human Rights
France has a serious problem with radical Islam, but the draft law against “separatism” announced by President Macron may create more problems than it claims to solve.
USCIRF Releases New Report about United Nations Human Rights Mechanisms
Promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief within the UN Human Rights System Factsheet – This factsheet provides an overview of the UN human rights mechanisms, with a particular focus on those most relevant to freedom of religion or belief. The factsheet describes the mandate and composition of the Human Rights Council and its subsidiaries, which include the Universal Periodic Review Working Group, the Special Procedures mandate holders, and factfinding missions. The UN treaty-based mechanisms, such as the Human Rights Committee established by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, are also explained. The factsheet includes examples of engagement with these mechanisms that has advanced religious freedom. Although these bodies have limitations, they nevertheless provide opportunities for advocacy by and collaboration among states and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working to promote freedom of religion or belief internationally.
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR DIPLOMACY AND DIALOGUE
Four everyday people lie dead, another fifteen injured, as a result of yet another senseless terror attack that took place on November 2, 2020, this time in the streets of Vienna. Other victims will soon be found and, throughout Europe, the body-count is on the rise
Les caricatures et… l’espace sacré
Ce qui était au départ une réaction spontanée, légitime et populaire, face à une série d’assassinats barbares et qui cimentait l’opinion publique autour de valeurs universelles : le droit à la vie et la liberté d’expression…, risque de devenir une source de divisions, de conflits et la négation d’autres valeurs, tout aussi universelles, que sont le respect de l’autre, le droit à la différence et la tolérance…
French Draft Law Against “Separatism”: Targeting Radical Islam, but Problematic for Religious Liberty
France has a serious problem with radical Islam, but the draft law against “separatism” announced by President Macron may create more problems than it claims to solve. This is the conclusion of a “White Paper” co-authored or endorsed by well-know scholars of new religious movements Massimo Introvigne, Italian sociologist and managing director of CESNUR (Center for Studies on New Religions) and Bernadette Rigal-Cellard, from the University of Bordeaux, French lecturer in law Frédéric-Jérôme Pansier, and human rights activists Willy Fautré, of Brussels-based Human Rights Without Frontiers, and Alessandro Amicarelli, human rights attorney in London and chairperson of the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB).
REPORT OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON ITS 37TH SESSION
Coordination des associations et des particuliers pour la liberté de conscience noted
that a religious minority was undergoing trial in unacceptable conditions. The evidence had
been gathered by persons who were opposed to that religious minority. It was concerned that
Czechia had refused to listen to requests for that minority to be treated fairly, as any other
religious group in the country
NGOs accuse Irak saying that “Êzîdî culture is under threat of extinction and erasure from history”
A series of organizations denounce that the agreement of October 9, 2020, between the regional government surrounding the KDP and the Iraqi central government is another basis for the continuation of the genocide of August 3, 2014
Letter in Support of Having the French Anti-separatism Bill Reviewed by the Venice Commission
We write as an informal group of organizations and individuals who are scholars, religious leaders and human rights advocates. We are from many faiths or acting in a secular capacity, representing a high degree of diversity. While there is very little we agree on theologically, or politically, we all agree on the importance of religious freedom for all faiths and none.
