California, the Golden State, is known for its stunning landscapes, thriving entertainment industry, and diverse culture. Beneath the surface of this multifaceted state lies another remarkable aspect of its diversity: religious pluralism. From the Spanish missions of the 18th century to the bustling metropolises of the 21st century, California’s religious landscape has evolved into a vibrant tapestry of faiths and beliefs.
On our part “Karabakh Human Rights Awareness Campaign” launched last year to raise international awareness on human rights abuses in Karabakh is back with monitoring this process, revelation of human rights violation Karabakh Armenians experienced under the «gray zone» regime and ensuring restoration of their rights.
We, together with Human Rights Without Frontiers are deeply concerned about thousands of Ukrainian children who were taken away against their will from the Ukrainian occupied territories to Russia.
Thank you, I’m Christine Mirre, From CAP Liberté de Conscience We have discovered that over one hundred members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, a peaceful Muslim minority persecuted as heretics in several Muslim majority countries have been detained for over four months in Turkish immigration centers and are now being progressively released on the bases of a Turkish court decision.
On behalf of UNITED SIKHS and CAP Liberté de Conscience, I address a critical issue affecting our Sikh community and the principles of religious freedom, values we all hold dear.
In recent years, France has become a focal point of concern due to its long-standing ban on Sikh turbans in state schools.
This ban, in place for two decades, violates the fundamental rights of Sikh students to express their faith by wearing turbans, under-turbans, and top-knot coverings, directly contradicting principles of human rights and religious freedom.
We live in an era where journalism transcends boundaries and sparks positive change, and a remarkable example of this has emerged through the ground-breaking reporting by The Punjab Feed, a fresh start-up. Their insightful coverage on the Sikhs of France has ignited a wave of European solidarity for the right to turban, fostering change on an international scale.
This remarkable journey began when The Punjab Feed’s ground report shed light on the challenges faced by Sikh individuals in France due to the 2004 law prohibiting conspicuous religious symbols in state schools. The story reached the hearts of many, resonating with the fundamental principles of human rights and freedom of expression.
Geneva, Sep 29 — The United Nations Human Rights Council Friday heard a joint statement by UNITED SIKHS and CAP Freedom of Conscience, a European nonprofit, regarding Sikh turban rights in France.
Both organisations collaborated on this significant endeavour as co-signatories to the oral statement presented by CAP Freedom of Conscience in Geneva, Switzerland.
The incorporation of the France turban issue in the joint statement, representing both UNITED SIKHS and CAP Freedom of Conscience, underscores the imperative nature of addressing this matter on the international stage.
Anti-religious intolerance and hate crimes continues to be a concern across the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) region. Such manifestations of intolerance threaten both the security of individuals and societal cohesion, as discrimination and intolerant discourse often escalate into violence and wider scale conflict. At the same time, a comprehensive security regime is also needed to fully respect, protect and fulfil freedom of religion or belief, which is specifically acknowledged as one of the fundamental principles guiding mutual relations among OSCE participating States and an integral aspect of the OSCE’s concept of security. Furthermore, participating States of the OSCE have agreed on a broad range of commitments to address racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, discrimination and intolerance, including intolerance against Christians, Muslims, Jews, and members of other religions.
