Geneva, Switzerland, June 10, 2014. [CD EUDNews; A. Mazza]. As part of the launch of the publication of the AIDLR special edition of the Conscience and Liberty book, with the title “Worldwide Human Rights and Religious Liberty - A New Equilibrium or new Challenges, AIDLR in co-sponsorship with the permanent delegations at the UNITED NATIONS IN GENEVA OF The COUNCIL OF EUROPE and the REPUBLIC OF URUGUAY is organizing a panel on “Worldwide Human Rights, Religious Liberty and Religious Minorities: ‘Dialog Five’ – Developing a Holistic Framework” at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, at the 26th Session of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) - on June 10, 2014.
The panel will bring together representatives of international, regional and national institutions proposing synergy between a network of relevant stakeholders –what AIDLR has named ‘Dialog Five’ as a framework / structure for the organization of the “AIDLR Worldwide Congress on Religious Liberty” at the 28th Session of HRC (9-11 March, 2015).
The panel will provide an opportunity for participants to share information on the International Conference hosted in Madrid on January 17, 2013 at the University of Complutense, with the participation of important guests representing UN, COE, EP, Government of Spain, religious, international scholars, diplomats and INGOs, etc. According to the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, the International Conference organized by AIDLR “sets an example”, that “we should copy”; “we should establish that on a regular basis in fact”. Why is it so important?
“We have human rights obligations at different levels: national, regional and international and religious beliefs and human rights develop in different directions and can mutually undermine each other. We have the UN approach, EU approach, COE approach, various national approaches…and as a matter of fact, these different institutions sometimes are worlds of their own,” said SR UN Heiner Bielefeldt.
Coordination is needed between UN, EU, COE, OSCE, and other commissions and working groups at international, regional and national level etc., and we need to discuss how all of these institutions and organizations can work together effectively.
It is anticipated that the panel will establish a platform for the next Congress proposed by AIDLR to take place at the 28th Session of HRC in Geneva on “Worldwide Human Rights and Religious Liberty” and will advance suggestions that international, regional and national institutions can employ to protect and promote human rights and the principle of religious freedom and belief for all people.
It is also expected that a report reflecting the discussions and recommendations for follow up and other information shared during the discussion will be published soon afterwards.
The soon to be launched, the AIDLR’s ‘Conscience and Liberty’ - Worldwide Human Rights and Religious Liberty - A New Equilibrium or New Challenges - Volume I, „is an important tool, and stresses that each one (actors and stakeholders) is important and matters in promoting and defending the peace, human rights and religious liberty for all people", stated Liviu Olteanu, General Secretary of AIDLR.
The book contains articles, press releases and reflections of four UN Secretaries General, the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights, Ambassadors, Scholars, Religious leaders and articles/letters of former presidents of the Honorary Committee of AIDLR including Eleanor Roosevelt, René Cassin, Leopold Sédar Senghor, Mary Robinson, and also former secretaries general of AIDLR starting with Dr. John Nussbaum.
