THE TANDEM PROJECT
UNITED NATIONS, HUMAN RIGHTS,
FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF
UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW
Caste-based Discrimination
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Issue:
For: United Nations, Governments, Religions or Beliefs,
Academia, NGOs, Media, Civil Society
Review:
The Universal Periodic
Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights
records of all 192 UN Member States once every four years. UPR Introduction and
News:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UPRMain.aspx
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a new
opportunity for UN Member States, NGOs and civil society to support inclusive
protection and promotion of UN standards on human rights and freedom of religion
or belief.
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THE TANDEM PROJECT FOLLOW-UP
The Tandem Project Mission is education, progress
assessment and advocacy of Article 18 – “everyone shall have the right to
freedom of thought, conscience and religion… or belief”- International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights, and the 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination
of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.
In 1968 the UN deferred
work on an International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of
Religious Intolerance because of its complexity and sensitivity. Violence,
suffering and discrimination based on religion or belief in many parts of the
world is greater than ever. It is time for
a UN Working Group to draft what they deferred in 1968, a comprehensive core
international human rights treaty-a United Nations Convention on Freedom of
Religion or Belief: United
Nations History – Freedom of Religion or Belief
The Universal Periodic
Review (UPR) process is a four year cycle to implement National Reports on
human rights obligations and responsibilities, and recommendations made by UN
Member States, NGOs, civil society and other stakeholders. The Tandem Project
Follow-up objective is to encourage everyone in
this process to exchange ideas and programs on human rights and freedom of
religion or belief.
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CASTE- BASED DISCRIMINATION
On the issue of Caste-based Discrimination this is an opportunity for
organizations with opposing core beliefs; theist-atheist,
religious-non-religious, to fulfill the inclusive and fundamental intent of
human rights and freedom of religion or belief by encouraging each other in a joint effort in India to eliminate all forms of intolerance
and caste-based discrimination.
The Indian Constitution has outlawed caste-based
discrimination and the Indian Parliament recently elected its first woman and a
Dalit as Speaker. Nevertheless, the caste system, in various forms, continues
to survive in modern
“Hinduism is a diverse system of thought with beliefs
spanning monotheism, polytheism, panentheism, pantheism, monism, and atheism,
and its concept of God is complex and depends on each particular tradition and
philosophy. Among its roots is the historical Vedic religion of Iron Age
There are those who consider caste-based
discrimination in a racial context without a religious dimension. This does not
contribute to genuine and inclusive dialogue on the dimensions of race and
religion.
Genuine dialogue on human
rights and freedom of religion or belief calls for respectful discourse,
discussion of taboos and clarity by persons of diverse beliefs. Inclusive
dialogue includes people of theistic, non-theistic and
atheistic beliefs, as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief.
The warning signs are clear, unless there is genuine dialogue ranging from
religious fundamentalism to secular dogmatism; conflicts in the future will
probably be even more deadly.
The Tandem Project in its
title, Separation of Religion or Belief and State (SOROBAS), reflects the far-reaching scope of UN General Comment
22 on Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
1993, by the Human Rights Committee (CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.4). The General
Comment on Article 18 is a guide to international human rights law, peaceful
cooperation, respectful competition and resolution of conflicts:
http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/9a30112c27d1167cc12563ed004d8f15?Opendocument
For an overview of Hinduism and the Caste System in
Hinduism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism
Caste system in
Websites, Conferences and
Reports
The Tandem Project
Follow-up (TPF) selected organizations with specific programs relating to the
elimination of all forms of caste-based discrimination in
Lutheran World
Federation; International Humanist and Ethical Union; International Dalit
Solidarity Network; United Evangelical Lutheran Church of India; Arcot Lutheran
Church of India; Atheist Centre of India; Henry Martyn Institute, Oslo
Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Report, UN Special Rapporteur on
Contemporary Forms of Racism, Githu Muigai (A/HRC/11/36). Open and browse their
websites for information on caste-based discrimination.
Lutheran World Federation; http://www.lutheranworld.org
The Lutheran World
Federation (LWF) consists of 140 member churches in 79 countries with 68.5
Lutheran followers in all regions of the world. There are five program areas
within the Lutheran World Federation; World Service & Diakonia, Mission and
Development, Theology, Ecumenical Affairs, International Affairs and Human
Rights. The Tandem Project is interested in to know if or how the program areas
relate to each other in India to address the issue of caste-based
discrimination at international, national and congregation levels (See: Attachment)
Conference: http://www.lutheranworld.org/What_We_Do/OIAHR/OIAHR-Dalit_Justice.html
“Labels such as “untouchable,” “outcaste,” “polluting”
are labels in a social structure that deny individual’s rights and God given
dignity. Due to caste discrimination, a significant proportion of the world’s
population must struggle daily to realize the fundamental human right to life
and dignity.” On 21-24 March 2009 LWF held a Global
Ecumenical Conference on Justice for Dalits, in
United
“The LWF, in conjunction with the United Evangelical
Lutheran Churches of
The United Evangelical
Lutheran Churches of
The Tandem Project is
interested to know if an action plan for local congregations has been drafted
and if the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights is aware of International
Standards on Human Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief.
Arcot Lutheran Church, Cuddalore,
The Arcot Lutheran Church of Cuddalore, India is one
of nine member church bodies in
Henry Martyn Institute; http://www.hmiindia.com
“The Henry Martyn Institute – International Centre for
Research, Relations and Reconciliation (HMI) – is an ecumenical Christian
organization founded in 1930. It has an ever widening circle of research
scholars from both within the country and abroad. HMI’s goal is to combine
academic research with praxis, reflected in HMI’s work of reconciliation which has
grown out of the contemporary context of inter-religious alienation and
violence. HMI’s emphasis is on study and action at various levels in order to
reduce prejudice, resolve conflict and increase trust, cooperation and
understanding between individuals and groups.” The conference, In Solidarity with the Dalits: Nurturing New Partnerships
sponsored by United Evangelical Lutheran Church of India was held at the Henry
Martyn Institute in
International Humanist and Ethical
The International
Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is “a world union of over 100 Humanist,
rationalist, secular, ethical culture, atheist and free-thought organizations
in more than 40 countries.” Founded in
Conference:
The World Conference on Untouchability
a global initiative against caste discrimination was held on 9-10 June 2009 in
Atheist Centre; http://atheistcentre.in/
The Atheist Centre is a
social change institution founded in the year 1940 at
“The Oslo Coalition works to advance freedom of
religion or belief (FORB) as a common benefit that is accepted and embraced by
all religions and persuasions. Drawing on and promoting the internationally accepted
human rights standards on FORB, the Coalition works to promote mutual
understanding and cooperation between communities of different persuasions and
to hinder injustice, intolerance and distrust springing from religious
differences. The Oslo Coalition was established by the participants of the Oslo
Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which was held in August 1998 in
the context of the 50 year anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. The activities of the Oslo Coalition are based on the Oslo Declaration
on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which was adopted by the Conference, and was
signed by leaders of all major Norwegian faith communities in 2001.”
Proselytism by missionaries and the conversion of
Dalits in
The dimensions of Dalit proselytism is shown in
personal stories such as this biography, “An American in Ghandhi’s
India: foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” Indiana University Press, 2008, by
“Social norms of the hill community presented
insurmountable problems to Hindu converts. Earlier conversions in the area had
been only from the poor low-cast kolis or of destitute or orphaned high-caste
children. Since the kolis were considered ‘untouchables’ their conversion did
not much affect their relationship with the rest of the community- they were
outcastes and remained so even after conversion. But the conversion of
high-caste Hindu boys of influential families was a sensitive issue. High-caste
Hindus made no concession for those who dared to violate the sanctity of their
religion. A violation of the rules meant the entire family would be
ostracized.”
International Dalit Solidarity Network; http://www.imadr.org
The International Movement against All Forms of
Discrimination (IMADR) “is an international non-profit, non-governmental human
rights organization, founded in 1988 by one of
Letter: for the
This letter titled Caste-based discrimination
in
Report: 2009 Report by the UN Special Rapporteur
(A/HRC/11/36):
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/11session/A.HRC.11.36.pdf
Report: to the eleventh session of the UN Human Rights
Council (A/HRC/11/36) by the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Githu
Muigai. Caste discrimination “clearly falls within my mandate” claimed the
newly-appointed UN Special Rapporteur, Mr. Muigai, speaking on
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THE TANDEM PROJECT PROPOSALS
Proposals for constructive, long-term solutions to conflicts based on
religion or belief:
(1) Develop a model local-national-international
integrated approach to human rights and freedom of religion or belief,
appropriate to the cultures of each country, as follow-up to
the Universal Periodic Review. 1. (2) Use International Human Rights Standards on Freedom of Religion
or Belief as a rule of law for inclusive and genuine dialogue on core values
within and among nations, all religions and other beliefs, and for protection
against discrimination. (3) Use the standards on freedom of religion or belief
in education curricula and places of worship, “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.” 2.
Documents Attached:
India - Caste-based Discrimination & UPR Follow-up
India - Universal Periodic Review & Freedom of Religion or Belief
Call for Input - to Lutheran World Federation
Call for Input - to International Humanist and Ethical Union
Standards: http://www.tandemproject.com/program/81_dec.htm
1:
2: Mr.
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SYNOPSIS
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.”
Genuine dialogue on human
rights and freedom of religion or belief calls for respectful discourse,
discussion of taboos and clarity by persons of diverse beliefs. Inclusive
dialogue includes people of theistic, non-theistic and
atheistic beliefs, as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief.
The warning signs are clear, unless there is genuine dialogue ranging from
religious fundamentalism to secular dogmatism; conflicts in the future will
probably be even more deadly.
The challenge to
religions or beliefs at all levels is awareness, understanding
and acceptance of international human rights standards on freedom of
religion or belief. Leaders, teachers and followers of all religions or
beliefs, with governments, are keys to test the viability of inclusive and
genuine dialogue in response to the UN Secretary General’s urgent call for
constructive and committed dialogue.
The Tandem Project title,
Separation of Religion or Belief and State (SOROBAS), reflects the far-reaching scope of UN
General Comment 22 on Article 18, International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, Human Rights Committee (CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.4). The General Comment on
Article 18 is a guide to international human rights law for peaceful
cooperation, respectful competition and resolution of conflicts:
http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/9a30112c27d1167cc12563ed004d8f15?Opendocument
Surely one of the best
hopes for 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.
We welcome ideas on how this can be accomplished; info@tandemproject.com.
The Tandem Project is a non-governmental organization (NGO)
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 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 is a UN NGO in
Special Consultative Status with the
Economic and Social Council of
the United Nations