THE TANDEM PROJECT FELLOWSHIP

 

UNITED NATIONS, HUMAN RIGHTS
FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF

 

HIGHLIGHTS FOR DISCUSSION
THE TANDEM PROJECT & THE UNITED NATIONS

 

The Tandem Project is a UN NGO in Special Consultative Status
with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

 

HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS

 

The Tandem Project Internet Course
http://www.tandemproject.com/toc/toc.htm

 

1961: UN General Assembly adopted a resolution asking the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Human Rights Commission to prepare legally-binding international human rights convention on religious intolerance.  It was deferred by religious and diplomatic leaders because of its complexity and political sensitivity.

 

History: http://www.tandemproject.com/program/history.htm

 

1968: UN deferred work on a Convention on Religious Intolerance as too complicated and politically sensitive and instead began work on what was to become the non-binding 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. The Tandem Project believes until legally-binding human rights treaty, a Convention on Freedom of Religion or Belief, is adopted, international human rights law will be incomplete.


1984: The Tandem Project since 1984 has participated in dialogue and discussions on how to implement International Human Rights Instruments at a local level. A Tandem Project co- founder was the  delegate of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) to the Seminar on the Encouragement of Understanding, Tolerance and Respect in Matters Relating to Freedom of Religion or Belief (1984) ST/HR/SER.A/16, Geneva: United Nations.


2011: UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/167 by consensus to combat such intolerance.  It is the best hope in fifty years to reconcile issues and divergent views on human rights and freedom of religion or belief, assimilation and multiculturalism.  The Resolution calls for an open public debate of ideas and strengthened global dialogue at all levels to implement the Resolution – a Culture of Tolerance and Peace Based on Religion or Belief


United Nations Resolution – a Culture of Tolerance & Peace Based on Religion or Belief


Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief