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<![endif]--> <title>South Africa - Universal Periodic Review &amp; Freedom of Religion or Belief</title></head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=Section1> <p align="right" class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:120.0pt;text-indent:-120.0pt;tab-stops: 120.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><script src="http://www.gmodules.com/ig/ifr?url=http://www.google.com/ig/modules/translatemypage.xml&up_source_language=en&w=150&h=50&title=&border=&output=js"></script>&nbsp;</p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>THE TANDEM PROJECT<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="http://www.tandemproject.com/">http://www.tandemproject.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><u><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p><span style='text-decoration: none'>&nbsp;</span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>UNITED NATIONS, HUMAN RIGHTS,<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><u><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p><span style='text-decoration: none'>&nbsp;</span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold; mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>SOUTH AFRICA</span></font></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>ADOPTED UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span></span></font></b><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=1><span style='font-size:8.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>&amp; FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>First Session U.N. Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (7-18 April, 2008)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>&nbsp;</p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><em>Available in other languages: <a href="javascript:window.location.reload(true)">click here</a> if the language box does not display.</em></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The <i style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>South Africa Universal Periodic Review</span></i> was held by the UN Human Rights Council on <st1:date Year="2008" Day="15" Month="4" w:st="on">Tuesday 15 April 2008</st1:date> from <st1:time Minute="30" Hour="14" w:st="on">2:30 p.m.  5:30 p.m.</st1:time><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>This link will open access to reports in the United Kingdom Universal Periodic Review: <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>National Report; Compilation of UN Information; Summary of Stakeholders Information; Questions Submitted in Advance; Report of the Working Group; Related Web cast Archives. </span></i></span></font><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><font size=1><span style='font-size:8.0pt; font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Link: <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>South Africa</span></i></st1:place></st1:country-region><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style: normal'> Adopted Universal Periodic Review. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><i style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt; font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/PAGES/ZASession1.aspx">http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/PAGES/ZASession1.aspx</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>There were 16 stakeholder submissions. Click on <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Summary of Stakeholders Information </span></i>footnote 3 for the letters of submission. The Stakeholder letter from <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization</span></i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Vhavenda People </span></i>refers to Cultural and Religious Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><i style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt; font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Universal Periodic Review </span></font></i><font size=2><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>recommendations by the UN Human Rights Council often do not refer specifically to Human Rights Standards on Freedom of Religion or Belief.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The Tandem Project NGO writes Open Letters on human rights standards on freedom of religion or belief as a <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic; mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>follow-up</span></i> to the <i style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Universal Periodic Review. </span></i>They include three proposals for an exchange of ideas on structure, dialogue and education; and a question on how to reconcile the universality of human rights with the truth claims of religious and non-religious beliefs.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>    </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold; mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The Tandem Project, a <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style: normal'>UN NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations </span></i>focus on issues relevant to Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights  Everyone has the right to freedom of religion or belief, and the 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>   </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The U.S. State Department 2007 Religious Freedom Report is the source of this information. <b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 11.0pt'>1. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region> - <u>Religious Demography</u><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The country has an area of 470,693 square miles, and a population of 47.4 million. The 2001 religious demography census estimated that 80 percent of the population is Christian. Hindus, Muslims, Jews, and adherents of traditional African beliefs constitute 4 percent of the population. Approximately 15 percent of the population indicated that it belongs to no particular religion or declined to indicate an affiliation.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The African Independent Churches are the largest group of Christian churches. There are more than 4,000 of these churches, with a membership of more than 10 million, constituting approximately 26 percent of the total Christian population. Although these churches were founded as breakaways from mission churches (the so-called Ethiopian churches), the African Independent Churches consist mostly of Zionist or Apostolic churches and also include some Pentecostal branches. The Zionist Christian Church is the largest <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">African</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Independent</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> with 11.1 percent of the population. The African Independent Churches attract practitioners in both rural and urban areas.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Other Christian churches include the Dutch Reformed family of churches, which comprise 6.7 percent of the population, the Roman Catholic Church, which comprises 7.1 percent, and Methodists 6.8 percent. Protestant denominations include Anglican, Baptist, Congregational, Lutheran, and Presbyterian churches. The largest traditional Pentecostal churches are the Apostolic Faith Mission, the Assemblies of God, and the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Full</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Gospel</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. In recent years a number of charismatic churches have been established. Their subsidiary churches, together with those of the Hatfield Christian Church in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pretoria</st1:place></st1:City>, are grouped in the International Fellowship of Christian Churches. The Greek Orthodox and Seventh-day Adventist churches are also active.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Approximately 15 percent of the population claims no affiliation with any formal religious organization. It is believed that many of these persons adhere to indigenous religions. Followers of indigenous religions believe that certain practitioners may manipulate the power of spirits using herbs, therapeutic techniques, or supernatural powers. Some practitioners are considered witches and may engender fear. Many persons combine Christian and indigenous religious practices.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>2. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region> - <u>Legal/Policy Framework</u><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respected this right in practice. The Government at all levels sought to protect this right in full and did not tolerate its abuse, either by governmental or private actors.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The Bill of Rights prohibits the Government from unfairly discriminating directly or indirectly against anyone based on religion, and it states that persons belonging to a religious community may not be denied the right to practice their religion and to form, join, and maintain religious associations with other members of that community. Cases of discrimination against a person on the grounds of religious freedom may be taken to the <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Constitutional Court</st1:address></st1:Street>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>While Christianity is the dominant religion, the law does not recognize a state religion, and the Constitution is deliberately religion-neutral. Leading government officials and ruling party members adhere to a variety of faiths, including various Christian groups, Islam, and Judaism. Many are atheists or practice no established religion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>3. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region> - <u>Restrictions on Freedom of Religion or Belief</u><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Government policy and practice contributed to the generally free practice of religion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>There were no reports of religious prisoners or detainees in the country.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Anti-Semitism<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>While there were no reported cases of violent physical abuse attributable to anti-Semitism, there were limited instances of anti-Semitic verbal assaults and vandalism of Jewish property and institutions. In December 2006 a Member of Parliament from the African National Congress (ANC) spoke at an academic conference at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">South Africa</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pretoria</st1:place></st1:City> during which he stated that the notoriously anti-Semitic Czarist forgery, <em><i style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'><font face="Times New Roman">The Protocols of the Elders of Zion</font></i></em>, was a reliable historical document. Another delegate to the conference expressed doubt as to whether the Holocaust was real and reiterated Iranian President Ahmadinejad's claim that the Holocaust was a &quot;myth&quot;. Following the conference, ANC spokesman Smuts Ngonyama stated that the ANC s position was that the Nazi genocide should be &quot;condemned with the contempt it deserves.&quot;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>4. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region> - <u>Societal Abuse and Discrimination<o:p></o:p></u></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>There were no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>There are many ecumenical and interdenominational organizations among the various churches. The largest of these is the South African Council of Churches, which represents the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Methodist</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, the Church of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Province</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">South Africa</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> (Anglican), various Lutheran and Presbyterian churches, and the Congregational Church, among others. The major indigenous religions, most of the Afrikaans-language churches, and the Pentecostal and charismatic churches are not members of the SACC and usually have their own coordinating and liaison bodies. The Catholic Church's relationship with other churches continued to become more open, and it worked closely with other churches on the socio political front.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>There continued to be reports of killings of purported practitioners of witchcraft. In November 2006 the killer of five persons accused of bewitching one of the killer's relatives was sentenced to five life sentences by the Pietermaritzberg High Court. In September 2006 a family of three was burned to death in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Limpopo</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Province</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> in an incident police identified as &quot;witchcraft-related&quot;. The investigation was ongoing at the end of the reporting period. In <st1:place w:st="on">Eastern Cape Province</st1:place>, a woman died after an angry mob stoned her. She allegedly told a man she had bewitched his wife. No arrests had been made, but police stated the investigation continued.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><u><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Update</span></font></u><font size=2 color=black><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>: <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> State Department 2008 International Religious Freedom <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Report</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">South Africa</st1:country-region></st1:place>: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>In April 2008 the U.S. Embassy sponsored one local government leader to participate in a three-week International Visitor Leadership Program in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> on &quot;Religious Tolerance and Interfaith Dialogue.&quot;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>The U.S. Consulate General in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cape Town</st1:place></st1:City> continued its support of the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative (CTII). The CTII brings together Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Baha'is, Buddhists, and African traditionalists.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:black'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-weight:bold; mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>HISTORY</span></font></b><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'>: </span></font></b><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><a href="http://www.tandemproject.com/links/history.pdf">United Nations History  Freedom of Religion or Belief</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>____________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>* Direct Link to complete reports: Overview; Religious Demography; Legal/Policy Framework; <b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'>Restrictions on Freedom of Religion or Belief; Societal Abuse/Discrimination </span></b>in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief. Click to open <b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>complete </span></b>reports: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><a href="http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90121.htm">http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90121.htm</a></span></font><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Source: <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> State Department 2007 International Religious Freedom Report; <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><a href="http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108392.htm">http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108392.htm</a></span></font><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Source: <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> State Department 2008 International Religious Freedom Report: <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Links to State Department sites are welcomed. Unless a copyright is indicated, information on the State Department s main website is in the public domain and may be copied and distributed without permission. Citation of the U.S. State Department as source of the information is appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>_____________________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'>&nbsp;</p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'>Documents Attached:</p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'>&nbsp;</p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><a href="040909_upr_files/040909_upr.doc" target="_blank">South Africa - Universal Periodic Review &amp; Freedom of Religion or Belief</a></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><a href="040909_upr_files/040909_upr2.doc" target="_blank">Open Letter to South Africa</a></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><a href="040909_upr_files/040909_upr3.doc" target="_blank">Open Letter to UNPO South Africa - Vhavenda People</a></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'>&nbsp;</p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-weight:bold; mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>STANDARDS</span></font></b><font size=2><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>: <a href="http://www.tandemproject.com/program/81_dec.htm">http://www.tandemproject.com/program/81_dec.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>The Tandem Project:</span></font></b><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> 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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>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, <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style: normal'>Encouragement of</span></i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Understanding, Tolerance and Respect in Matters Relating to Freedom of Religion or Belief</span></i>, 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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>The Tandem Project Executive Director is: Michael M. Roan, <a href="mailto:mroan@tandemproject.com">mroan@tandemproject.com</a>.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-style:italic; mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><i style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt; font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>The Tandem Project is a UN NGO in Special Consultative Status with the <o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><i style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:11.0pt; font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Economic and Social Council of the United Nations<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><i style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt; font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Challenge</span></font></b><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>: to reconcile international human rights standards on freedom of religion or belief with the truth claims of religious and non-religious beliefs.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Genuine dialogue on freedom of religion or belief calls for open mind. It demands respectful and thoughtful responses, discussion of taboos and clarity by persons of diverse beliefs. Inclusive dialogue is between people of <i style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs, as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief.</span></i> These UN categories were defined in the 1960 seminal study on human rights and freedom of religion or belief by Arcot Krishnaswami. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>_____________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Goal</span></font></b><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=2><span style='font-size:11.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>: </span></font></b><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>To eliminate all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief</span></font><font size=2><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-style:italic; mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>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 <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>long-term solutions</span></i> to conflicts in all matters relating to religion or belief.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Objectives:</span></font></b><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>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.</span></font><font size=1><span style='font-size:8.0pt'>1</span></font><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold; mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>History: </span></font></b><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>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: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Should the United Nations adopt an International Convention on Freedom of Religion or Belief?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold; mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Response: </span></font></b><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>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. <i style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>- UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Asma Jahangir</st1:PersonName>, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Prague</st1:place></st1:City> 25 Year Anniversary Commemoration of the 1981 UN Declaration, <st1:date Year="2006" Day="25" Month="11" w:st="on">25 November 2006</st1:date>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Option: </span></font></b><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><i style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Separation of Religion or Belief and State<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify'><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Concept:<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span></span></font></b><i style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic; mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Separation of Religion or Belief and State - </span></font></i><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><font size=1><span style='font-size:8.0pt; font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>SOROBAS</span></font></i><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>. </span></font></i><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>The First Preamble to the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads;  <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Whereas</span></i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style: normal'>recognition of<b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> </span></b>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</span></i>.<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style: normal'> </span></i><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>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, <st1:date Year="1993" Day="20" Month="7" w:st="on">20 July 1993</st1:date> (CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.4): <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify'><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Article 18:</span></font></b><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> protects <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style: normal'>theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs, as well as the right not to profess any</span></i> <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>religion or belief</span></i>. 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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Article 18:</span></font></b><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> 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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Dialogue: </span></font></b><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold; mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold; mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Education: </span></font></b><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Ambassador<st1:PersonName w:st="on"> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Piet de Klerk</st1:PersonName></st1:PersonName> addressing the Prague 25 Year Anniversary Commemoration of the 1981 U.N. Declaration said;  Our educational systems need to provide children with a broad orientation: from the very beginning, children should be taught 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. </span></font><font size=1><span style='font-size: 8.0pt'>1<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>1981 U.N. Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:8.0pt; font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p> </div> </body> </html>