Universal or Particular … or Both? The Right to Freedom of Religion or Belief in Cross-Cultural Perspective (original) (raw)
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Understanding the Importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB)
The purpose of this briefing note is to specifically explain the history of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) - the founding document that enshrined freedom of religion or belief as a human right - and the nature of subsequent international covenants and procedures related to freedom of religion or belief at the international level. Whilst the theoretical framing of freedom of religion or belief principles are clearly stated, the nature and application of freedom of religion or belief in policies and practices around the world are far from simple. In order to grasp some of the complex facets of this freedom, this brief will also highlight a number of key global challenges to freedom of religion or belief.
“The Right to Freedom of Religion in International Perspective”
BAZÁN, José Luis, “The Right to Freedom of Religion in International Perspective”, in: VELLA GAUCI, Joe (compilation), International Perspectives on Religious Freedom. Proceedings of Conferences on Religious Freedom, EPP Group & COMECE, Brussels, 2013, pages 11-21.
Freedom of religion has been in the limelight all over the world in the past few years. It grabbed our attention due to controversies regarding the content of different legal documents of various governments (democratic and non-democratic) around the world or due to the manner in which religious values and practices have been empirically treated by both State and non-State actors. Several issues are at the centre of global attention, including women's rights, heresy laws, transgender issues, ethnic cleansing, ill-treatment of religious minorities, ban on display of religious symbols, xenophobia, and so on. Freedom of Religion or Belief: An International Law Commentary is the first academic commentary which treats the issue of freedom of religion or belief as a human right (v). Freedom of religion or belief was included in article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948 and in article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1966. Published in 2016, the Freedom of Religion or Belief marks fifty years after the adoption of ICCPR and sixty-eight years after the inclusion of religious freedom as a human right in UDHR. The authors, Heiner Bielefeldt, Nazila Ghanea, and Michael Wiener, rely on their academic expertise and practical experience to make a brilliant contribution to the scholarly discourse on freedom of religion or belief from an international legal perspective. The authors worked with the United Nations and conducted research on in human rights, international law, and freedom of religion. Their in-depth knowledge of the subject is reflected in this thoroughly researched book. Fifth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, Kazakhstan. photo credit: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas The commentary offers a detailed analysis of interpretation and implementation of relative international standards, including ICCPR. It is structured according to the thematic categories of the Special Rapporteur's framework for communications. Freedom of Religion or Belief also discusses relevant jurisprudence from Treaty Bodies, which is evident from the table of cases and legislation given at the beginning of the commentary. The book is comprehensive because it includes relevant national cases and legislations and is not confined to the cases and legislation of these bodies. It is divided into five parts with further subdivisions. These parts comprise of discussion on freedom of religion or belief, discrimination, vulnerable groups, intersection of freedom of religion or belief with other human rights, and cross-cutting issues. Acknowledging the selective use of commentaries, the https://acuns.org/review-of-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-an-international-law-commentary/
Both ? The Right to Freedom of Religion or Belief in Cross-Cultural Perspective
2018
The right to Freedom of Religion of Belief (FoRB) is a focus of increasing concern in academia and policy. A key disagreement is whether a universally recognized right to FoRB actually exists. This article explores this disagreement by considering global, universalist narratives and local, context-specific application of FoRB in India and Indonesia. We argue that the language of FoRB is not universal, but across different cultures, concepts and practices exist—such as honoring the traditions of others and living together in harmony—that are consistent with FoRB. Rather than insist on the language of FoRB, international actors should focus on these already existing practices.
Religious Freedom. The Case for International Consensus
Religious Freedom Institute, 2016
There is no doubt that, as a principle, religious freedom is widely recognized as a value to preserve and defend, at least in all societies where fundamental rights are (formally) respected. In a world where the great majority of people declare to believe in some divinity or in metaphysical entities and supernatural order, religions in themselves are part of the very identity of persons, communities, and peoples. This being the case, one may wonder why below the surface of that assumed consensus flow heated debates and polarized opinions that sometimes contest and even challenge the implications of religious freedom as a matter of national society and as a subject of international politics.
Freedom of Religion or Belief in Cross-Cultural Perspective
2018
The right to Freedom of Religion of Belief (FoRB) is a focus of increasing concern in academia and policy. A key disagreement is whether a universally recognized right to FoRB actually exists. This article explores this disagreement by considering global, universalist narratives and local, context-specific application of FoRB in India and Indonesia. We argue that the language of FoRB is not universal, but across different cultures, concepts and practices exist—such as honoring the traditions of others and living together in harmony—that are consistent with FoRB. Rather than insist on the language of FoRB, international actors should focus on these already existing practices.
Global Declarations on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Human Rights
World Evangelical Alliance
Only a small percentage of the world’s population enjoys real freedom of religion or belief. Discrimination and persecution are commonplace, and even martyrdom is far too common. And the lack of protection for the basic human right of religious liberty is very frequently connected with other human rights abuses. This book brings key human rights declarations under one cover for easy study and reference.