FAITH & FREEDOM OF BELIEF-2019

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LIGHTING A PATH TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEFInternational community must(1) Recognize the importance of FoRB;(2) EU and MS must make FoRBpermanent and important condition ofexternal relations;(3) We need to organize efficientcooperation on FoRB promotion withlike-minded actors – against violentextremism, religious fundamentalism andintolerance.With the adoption of the EU Guidelineson the promotion and protection offreedom of religion or belief in 2013,the EU has committed to advance thisfundamental freedom in its externalaction, including through its financialinstruments. Since then, there has beena significant increase in FoRB-funding incomparison to the previous period 2007-12 (2013-18: 18 million EUR, 28 projects,versus 4 million EUR, 23 projects).Other entry points opted by EUDelegations in the past for promotingFoRB are e.g. non-discrimination and equalcitizenship, minority rights, intercultural/-religious dialogue, prevention of violentextremism.The foundational principle of HRs isdignity. Culture of Human Dignity is basedon respect of the universal principle: Weare all different in identity; we are all equalin dignity.Dignity is crucially important forChristians (Dignitatis Humanae is VaticanCouncil II major document on religiousfreedom), for Muslims it is the Quranicconcept of Karamah, for adherents ofBible it is Imago Dei and Medaber al kabotin Hebrew tradition.EU Charter of Fundamental Rightsstarts with Dignity as the first out of fourmain values. In India, the most populouscountry, with secular ConstitutionPreamble we can find call for dignity.I had good experience when sharingthese principles at Punjab Institute ofIslamic Studies at the University of Lahoreor at Ahfad University for Women inSudan.Human dignity may serve as a meetingpoint for both, religious and secularhumanists. Punta del Este Declaration onHuman Dignity for Everyone Everywherefrom December 2018 is the recent proof.I am happy that many scholars, expertsand activists signed up to commemoratethe 70 years of the UDHR, but also torecommit to its foundational principle.The document is still open for signatures.The ethical principle of equal dignityis a departure point for socio-politicalprinciple of equal citizenship (inclusive,dignified one). It brings us to a pluralistsociety – like a mosaic,to a civil state based on equalcitizenship. E. g. this is the best option forthe future of Iraq. The fair civil (secular)state is blessing for FoRB and differentfaiths coexistence.Inter-religious and inter-culturaldialogue must become a norm, not anexception. Dialogue not just for dialogueand exchange, but also as a quest fortruth, justice, common good.This is spirit of also Art. 17 TreatyDialogue, where I was regularly invitedby FVP Timmermans.We need to move from respect ofidentity towards1) awareness of interdependence,and2) ethics of shared responsibility.Pope Francis and Grand Imam of AlAhzar, the latest one in Abu Dhabi, set aninspiring example. People generally verylittle read encyclicals or fatwas. However,they see images and they get the messageimmediately.United Europe, it is a lesson oncommon good, winning over hatredand violence. It grew from the definitionof common ground, understanding,definition of common values andinterests, bringing common good andcommon future.I know well from my missions thatthe EU is welcomed when not teachingor preaching, but sharing; when notimposing, but proposing.Evil is very successful todaybecause it has very widely spread andinfluential allies. These are indifference,ignorance, fear – they are siblings of evil.Therefore, we must learn how to live indiversity, not only to coexist in diversity.We need to nurture allies of good –engagement, education, courage.Religious literacy is important (digitalone is not enough).More and faster smartphones?Yes, but this is not sufficient ambition.We need smart people – in diplomacy,public policy, schools, media, communityleaders (with modern smart technologies)I am supportive of activities of the newlyestablished European Academy ofReligion in Bologna (2016) as networkof universities, faculties, journals andscholars on nexus between religion anddifferent sciences.I was happy to get FoRB visible atEuropean Development Days, andespecially when Lorenzo Natali MediaSpecial FoRB Prize was the first timegiven to both professional and amateurjournalists (Tunisia, Burkina Faso). Wediscuss a FoRB Award for the best studentsat EMA Global Campus of Human Rightsin Venice.Most of the information one can findin my report. Nevertheless, I would like toconclude on a more personal note.CONCLUSION:ON A MORE PERSONAL NOTEWhen genocide in the Middle Eastin 2014 started, I tried to persuade EUleaders and Slovak government thatwe have to do something credible tohelp victims of persecution. I sent morethan 70 urging letters, we organizedpublic manifestations. When the EPadopted a strong resolution demandingto establish a permanent position of EUSpecial Representative for FoRB, thisissue came back to me like a boomerang.I want to thank Commission, especiallyto the President Jean-Claude Junckerfor giving me the opportunity to startsomething really important, sensitive andunprecedented. He asked me for visibility.I told him then, at the beginning, yes, butwe must keep visibility connected withcredibility. I think this agenda is now bothvisible and credible. I had constructivesupport of Commissioner Mimica and hisCabinet, DG DEVCO led by S. Manservisiwith very reliable collaboration of V.16 2019 | OUR WORLD
FAITH & RELIGIOUS FREEDOMManzitti, J. Journal and B. Philippe.I held frequent meetings with EEAS, EP leadership andcommittees, CSO, FBOs, media. Via Art. 17 Treaty Dialogue Icooperated with the FVP Timmermans and DG JUST, but alsowith Johannes Hahn and his DG NEAR.In spite of very limited working conditions or because of thatI combined a lot of HARDWORKING, TEAMWORKING and NET-WORKING. This was my recipe for success. This was behind veryencouraging stories of releases – of two groups in Sudan (CzechChristian humanitarian worker Petr Jašek sentenced for lifelongjail, and his two Sudanese collaborators; and HRs defender Prof.Ibrahim Mudawi – threatened by lifelong imprisonment - withfive other activists) and famous Asia Bibi from Pakistan, beingdouble sentenced to death for blasphemy. It is important to add:autocratic regime in Sudan in the meantime collapsed with U.Bashir being investigated for his bloody crimes. In Pakistan, wehave started a series of activities promoting equal citizenshipand pluralism.I want to thank all partners Member States, MEPs, EEAS,Commission services, CSO, FBOs and academia for very goodcooperation on the common cause of FoRB protection. We arenot perfect, but we tried to be reliable and constructive partners.The stocktaking event is not only on reflexion of the last years,but also setting a vision for the future.There are five recommendations in my report:1. Work on FoRB within an HRs framework and through theSDGs agenda - including education, gender equality, and peace.2. Boost FoRB literacy.3. Support engagement with religious actors and interreligiousdialogue.4. Implement a more strategic and contextualized approachat country level.5. Step up coordination among MS and the EU on FoRB.My report is not exhaustive text, but it is my input into thetwo-day debate. I hope this conference will bring additionalpoints to the future FoRB agenda. And it will be handed over tothe incoming President and Commission for further reflexionand decision.My nomination in 2016 was invoked by the genocide in theMiddle East. Year 2016 marked Century of genocides – over 100years. There were many, too many. What is coming next: Centuryof hope or Century of continuity (business as usual)? The worldurgently needs a change; we must stick to the commitmentNEVER AGAIN. We need FoRB climate change! FoRB is part ofRobert Schuman’s legacy.FoRB protection and promotion are in the best EU interestand global responsibility. This is a preventive antidote againstpersecution and the refugee crisis. The EU was born on fightagainst totalitarian oppression, against political, ethnic andreligious persecution. This must stay alive in our memory andbecome a permanent part of our responsibility.Therefore our effort on FoRB protection and promotionshould continue. At the same time, it needs more adequateinstitutional support, stronger political conditions, and moreefficient cooperation with MS, institutions and all relevantpartners.Man, with open hands, worship God.SHUTTERSTOCKOUR WORLD | 201917
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