THE TANDEM PROJECT
UNITED NATIONS, HUMAN RIGHTS,
FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF
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Issue: Somali Violence in the Context of International Human
Rights Standards on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
For: United Nations, Governments, Religions or Beliefs,
Academia, NGOs, Media, Civil Society
Review: Suicide Bomber is Linked Locally,
The New York Times
and Star Tribune staff writers, Emily Johns and Richard Meryhew, contributed to
this report,
This is an article on
extremist beliefs and the Minneapolis Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center
accused of encouraging recruitment of young men to go to Somali as suicide
bombers. The leaders of the Islamic Center vigorously dispute this accusation.
Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center held a community dinner and open house to
get to know them as a neighborhood mosque on
This article follows The
Tandem Project Issue Statement from Newsweek,
There are five links to
this review:
Minneapolis
- Suicide Bomber is Linked Locally
Letter
to - Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center
In
Death's Shadow - Islam & Apostasy
The
Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression
How
Close Are We to Inclusive & Genuine Dialogue on Freedom of Religion or
Belief
The Tandem Project
respects Islam as a religion that explains the ultimate meaning of life and how
to live accordingly. These links however point to challenges many religions or
beliefs have in trying to reconcile their truth claims with International Human
Rights Standards on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
This tension is expressed
politically at the UN Human Rights Council in debates on issues such as: right
of a person to leave a religion or belief; meaning of blasphemy against a
religion or belief; protection of minority religions or beliefs; right to
conversion; registration of religions and beliefs; protection of sacred sites;
protection against discrimination based on religion or belief; how should these
issues be monitored, etc. This review is on the parameters of these issues in
The Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression & the Right to Freedom of
Religion or Belief.
Religion or belief lives
in a local ethnic and cultural context within a religion or belief itself and
the broader community at-large. An editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune
says: “this is true of the 25,000 or so people of Somali background in
As we are all painfully
aware, religious conflict continues to escalate worldwide whether in the
United Nations Secretary
General Ban Ki Moon, at the Alliance of Civilizations Madrid Forum said; “never
in our lifetime has there been a more desperate need for constructive and
committed dialogue, among individuals, among communities, among cultures, among
and between nations.” Another writer in different setting said; “the warning
signs are clear, unless we establish genuine dialogue within and among all
kinds of belief, ranging from religious fundamentalism to secular dogmatism,
the conflicts of the future will probably be even more deadly.”
International Human Rights Standards on Freedom of
Religion or Belief monitor governments, religions or beliefs, non-governmental
organizations, civil society and individuals living under constitutional
systems such as separation of church and state, state church, theocratic, and
non-constitutional legal frameworks. The concept Separation
of Religion or Belief and State means equal, fair and practical
support for all theistic, non-theistic and atheistic
beliefs, as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief, as
stated by International Human Rights Standards on Freedom of Religion or
Belief.
The Tandem Project is in its twenty-fifth year in
support of international human rights standards on freedom of religion or
belief. We focus on two proposals: (1) inclusive and genuine dialogue, (2)
early childhood education. Implementing them is essential
for long-term solutions to conflicts based on religion or belief.
STANDARDS: http://www.tandemproject.com/program/81_dec.htm
Inclusive and genuine
dialogue is essential as a first step in recognition of the inherent dignity,
equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family, and a
foundation for freedom, justice and peace in the world. Leaders of religious
and non-religious beliefs sanction the truth claims of their own traditions.
They are a key to raising awareness and acceptance of the value of holding
truth claims in tandem with human rights standards on freedom of religion or
belief.
Did God create us or did
we create God? This question calls for inclusive and genuine dialogue,
respectful and thoughtful responses, discussion of taboos and clarity by
persons of diverse beliefs. Inclusive and genuine is dialogue between people of
theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs, as
well as the right not to profess any religion or belief. These UN
categories are embedded in international law to promote tolerance and prevent
discrimination based on religion or belief.
The challenge is to
reconcile international human rights standards on freedom of religion or belief
with the truth claims of religious and non-religious beliefs.
Surely one of the best hopes for the future of humankind
is to embrace a culture in which religions and other beliefs accept one
another, in which wars and violence are not tolerated in the name of an
exclusive right to truth, in which children are raised to solve conflicts with
mediation, compassion and understanding.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Excerpts: Excerpts are presented under the Eight Articles of
the 1981 U.N. Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of
Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.
PREAMBLE: 1981 UN Declaration:
Considering that one of the basic principles of the Charter of
the United Nations is that of the dignity and equality inherent in all human
beings, and that all Member States have pledged themselves to take joint and
separate action in co-operation with the Organization to promote and encourage
universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms
for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,
Considering that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
the International Covenants on Human Rights proclaim the principles of
non-discrimination and equality before the law and the right to freedom of
thought, conscience, religion or belief,
1. 1 Everyone shall have the
right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include
freedom to have a religion or whatever belief of his choice, and freedom,
either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to
manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practices and teaching.
1. 2. No one shall be subject to
coercion which would impair his freedom to have a religion or belief of his
choice.
1. 3 Freedom to manifest one’s
religion or belief may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by
law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, morals or the
fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
2. 1 No one shall be subject to
discrimination by any State, institution, group of persons or person on the
grounds of religion or other beliefs.
SUICIDE
BOMBER LINKED LOCALLY
Excerpts:
FBI Director Robert Mueller said Monday in
Shirwa Ahmed, the first known suicide bomber with
U.S. citizenship, immigrated with his family to the
Late Monday, an Abubakar spokesman said again that
the mosque had nothing to do with the men’s disappearances.
Ahmed was driving a vehicle laden with explosives
that blew up in northern
Federal authorities have said that Ahmed was one
of as many as two dozen young men of Somali descent who disappeared in the past
two year from their homes in Minneapolis area after being recruited by the
Shabab, a militia suspected of having ties to Al-Qaida that has waged war
against the Somali government.
Some in
Attorney Mahir Sherif, a consultant to the mosque,
said in a telephone interview late Monday that Mueller “doesn’t really know
what’s happened” and that he’s “surprised that he would make such a comment.”
The mosque is the largest in
“It’s just frustrating to see people at high
levels make such statements,” he said. “It angers me they can just say this.
This is affecting a lot of people. The mosque and Somalis have received a lot
of hate messages because of this.”
Two weeks ago, the mosque’s director also rebuffed
rumors. “We have nothing to do with these kids who left,” said Director Farhan
Hurre, “Mean, we don’t know the time they left, we don’t know why they left, we
don’t know who convinced them to go there.”
This past weekend, the mosque held a seminar about
how suicide is prohibited by Islam attended by hundreds of Somali youth, Sahir
said.
“What more can this mosque do?” he said. “They’ve
gone out publicly, and they’ve put it on paper, that there’s nothing secret
going on, there are not two separate messages going out…The Koran says you
can’t kill yourself. If you do, you’re going straight to hell.”
On Monday in
ISSUE STATEMENT: International Human Rights Standards on Freedom or
Religion or Belief are international law and universal codes of conduct for
peaceful cooperation, respectful competition and resolution of conflicts. The
standards are a platform for inclusive and genuine dialogue on core principles
and values within and among nations, all religions and other beliefs.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
STANDARDS: http://www.tandemproject.com/program/81_dec.htm
The Tandem Project: a non-governmental organization founded
in 1986 to build understanding, tolerance and respect for diversity, and to
prevent discrimination in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief.
The Tandem Project, a non-profit NGO, has sponsored multiple conferences, curricula,
reference materials and programs on Article 18 of the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights – Everyone shall have the right to freedom of
thought, conscience and religion - and 1981 United Nations Declaration on the
Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or
Belief.
The Tandem Project
initiative is the result of a co-founder representing the World Federation of
United Nations Associations at the United Nations Geneva Seminar, Encouragement of Understanding, Tolerance
and Respect in Matters Relating to Freedom of Religion or Belief,
called by the UN Secretariat in 1984 on ways to implement the 1981 UN
Declaration. In 1986, The Tandem Project organized the first NGO International
Conference on the 1981 UN Declaration.
The Tandem Project
Executive Director is: Michael M. Roan, mroan@tandemproject.com.
The Tandem Project is a UN NGO in
Special Consultative Status with the
Economic and Social Council of the
United Nations
Goal: To eliminate all forms of intolerance and
discrimination based on religion or belief.
United Nations Secretary
General Ban Ki Moon, at the Alliance of Civilizations Madrid Forum said; “never
in our lifetime has there been a more desperate need for constructive and
committed dialogue, among individuals, among communities, among cultures, among
and between nations.” Another writer in different setting said; “the warning
signs are clear, unless we establish genuine dialogue within and among all
kinds of belief, ranging from religious fundamentalism to secular dogmatism,
the conflicts of the future will probably be even more deadly.”
Challenge: to reconcile international human rights
standards on freedom of religion or belief with the truth claims of religious
and non-religious beliefs.
Did God create us or did
we create God? This question calls for inclusive and genuine dialogue,
respectful and thoughtful responses, discussion of taboos and clarity by
persons of diverse beliefs. Inclusive and genuine is dialogue between people of
theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs, as
well as the right not to profess any religion or belief. These UN
categories embodied in international law promote tolerance and prevent
discrimination based on religion or belief.
Inclusive and genuine
dialogue is essential as a first step in recognition of the inherent dignity,
equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family, and a
foundation for freedom, justice and peace in the world. Leaders of religious
and non-religious beliefs sanction the truth claims of their own traditions.
They are the key to raising awareness and acceptance of the value of holding
truth claims in tandem with human rights standards on freedom of religion or
belief.
To build understanding
and support for Article 18, International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights –Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and
religion - and the 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of
Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. Encourage the
United Nations, Governments, Religions or Beliefs, Academia, NGOs, Media and
Civil Society to use International Human Rights Standards on Freedom of
Religion or Belief as essential for long-term solutions
to conflicts in all matters relating to religion or belief.
Objectives:
1. Use International
Human Rights Standards on Freedom of Religion or Belief as a platform for genuine
dialogue on the core principles and values within and among nations, all
religions and other beliefs.
2. Adapt these human
rights standards to early childhood education, teaching children, from the very
beginning, that their own religion is one out of many and that it is a personal
choice for everyone to adhere to the religion or belief by which he or she
feels most inspired, or to adhere to no religion or belief at all.1
History: In 1968 the United Nations deferred work on an
International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Religious
Intolerance, because of its apparent complexity and sensitivity. In the
twenty-first century, a dramatic increase of intolerance and discrimination on
grounds of religion or belief is motivating a worldwide search to find
solutions to these problems. This is a challenge calling for enhanced dialogue
by States and others; including consideration of an International Convention on
Freedom of Religion or Belief for protection of and accountability by all religions
or beliefs. The tensions in today’s world inspire a question such as:
Should the United Nations
adopt an International Convention on Freedom of Religion or Belief?
Response: Is it the appropriate moment to
reinitiate the drafting of a legally binding international convention on
freedom of religion or belief? Law making of this nature requires a minimum
consensus and an environment that appeals to reason rather than emotions. At
the same time we are on a learning curve as the various dimensions of the
Declaration are being explored. Many academics have produced voluminous books
on these questions but more ground has to be prepared before setting up of a UN
working group on drafting a convention. In my opinion, we should not try to
rush the elaboration of a Convention on Freedom of Religion or Belief,
especially not in times of high tensions and unpreparedness. - UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief,
Option: After forty years this may be the time,
however complex and sensitive, for the United Nations Human Rights Council to
appoint an Open-ended Working Group to draft a United Nations Convention on
Freedom of Religion or Belief. The mandate for an Open-ended Working Group
ought to assure nothing in a draft Convention will be construed as restricting
or derogating from any right defined in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights, and the 1981 UN
Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of
Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.
Separation of Religion or Belief
and State
Concept: Separation of Religion or Belief and State - SOROBAS. The First Preamble to the 1948 United Nations
Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads; “Whereas
recognition of the inherent
dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human
family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. This concept suggests
States recalling their history, culture and constitution adopt fair and equal
human rights protection for all religions or beliefs as described in General
Comment 22 on Article 18, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
UN Human Rights Committee,
Article
18: protects theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs, as well as the right not
to profess any religion or belief.
The terms belief and religion are to be broadly construed. Article 18 is not
limited in its application to traditional religions or to religions and beliefs
with international characteristics or practices analogous to those of
traditional religions. The Committee therefore views with concern any tendency
to discriminate against any religion or belief for any reasons, including the
fact that they are newly established, or represent religious minorities that
may be the subject of hostility by a predominant religious community.
Article
18: permits
restrictions to manifest a religion or belief only if such limitations are
prescribed by law and necessary to protect public safety, order, health or
morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
Dialogue: International Human Rights Standards on
Freedom or Religion or Belief are international law and universal codes of
conduct for peaceful cooperation, respectful competition and resolution of
conflicts. The standards are a platform for genuine dialogue on core principles
and values within and among nations, all religions and other beliefs.
Education: Ambassador
1981 U.N. Declaration on Freedom
of Religion or Belief
5.2: Every child shall enjoy the right to have access
to education in the matter of religion or belief in accordance with the wishes
of his parents, and shall not be compelled to receive teaching on religion or
belief against the wishes of his parents, the best interests of the child being
the guiding principle.” With International Human Rights safeguards, early
childhood education is the best time to begin to build tolerance, understanding
and respect for freedom of religion or belief.
5.3: The child shall be protected from any form of
discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief. He shall be brought up in
a spirit of understanding, tolerance, and friendship among peoples, peace and universal
brotherhood, respect for the freedom of religion or belief of others and in
full consciousness that his energy and talents should be devoted to the service
of his fellow men.