The Tandem Project Internet Course

The Tandem Project is a UN NGO in Special Consultative Status with the
Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process launched by the UN Human Rights Council in 2008 to review the human rights obligations and responsibilities of all UN Member States by 2011. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UPRMain.aspx

The Tandem Project supports the mandate and work of the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Universal Periodic Reviews are an opportunity to review how nations meet their human rights obligations and responsibilities to freedom of religion or belief. Each Universal Periodic Review is unique reflecting the national laws, religious and cultural norms of a country.

TANDEM FORUMS: are invitations to build global awareness of international human rights law on freedom of religion or belief at local levels as a follow-up to Universal Periodic Reviews. Forums for Places of Worship, Academic Discourse, Schools, Women and Civil Society assess interest, exchange information and consider local partnerships within and between countries as best practice models for international human rights law on freedom of religion or belief. QUESTIONNAIRE

INTERNET COURSE: The Tandem Project Internet Course is an inter-active Community Manual on Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Eight Articles of the 1981 U.N. Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. There is a Country & Community Database for responding to questions in the Community Manual: http://www.tandemproject.com/databases/forms/card.htm

Viewers can browse the Table of Contents and select and respond to corresponding questions in the C&C Database on issues that interest them.

The Tandem Project
Internet Course
Freedom of Religion or Belief

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword	4
Acknowledgements	4
United Nations History	5
The Community Manual	7

PART I: The Introductory Course	8
Introduction	8
Course Outline	8

Rules for Respectful Dialogue	9
Introduction	9
Adopt Group Rules	10

Concepts and Methods	11
Concept: Freedom of Religion or Belief	11
Model: 1981 U.N. Declaration	21
Method: Monitoring the Articles	28
Databases: Resources & Information	33
Report: The Community Report	40

PART II: The 1981 U.N. Declaration	47
Declaration History	47
Study Guideline	50
Model Databases	53
Types of Constitutions	55

Article 1: Legal Definition	60
1.1. Policy and Legal Framework	60
1.2. Coercion and Freedom to Choose	70
1.3. Limitations on Religion or Belief	75

Article 2: Classifying Discrimination	83
2.1. Four Categories	83
2.2. Two Definitions	89

Article 3: Link to Other Rights	92
3.1. Indivisibility of Human Rights	92

Article 4: Effective Measures	100
4.1. Fields of Civic Activity	100
4.2. Legislation and Regulations	106

Article 5: Parents, Children, State	109
5.1. Rights of Three Parties	109
5.1.1. Parents Right to Raise Children	110
5.1.2. Guiding Principles in Education	110
5.1.3. Childs Right to Protection	110
5.1.4. Best Interests of the Child	111
5.1.5. States Right to Protect Children	112

Article 6: Specific Freedoms	117
6.1 Nine Rights	117
6.1.1. Assemble, Maintain, Places of Worship	118
6.1.2. Charitable and Humanitarian Institutions	119
6.1.3. Materials for Rites and Ceremonies	120
6.1.4. Write and Disseminate Publications	121
6.1.5. Teach in Places Suitable for the Purpose	122
6.1.6. Solicit and Receive Contributions	123
6.1.7. Train, Elect and Appoint Leaders	124
6.1.8. Days of Rest, Holidays and Ceremonies	124
6.1.9. Establish and Maintain Communications	125

Article 7: National Legislation	131
7.1. Enacted and Available in Practice	131
7.1.1 Set Forth in Legislation	132
7.1.2 Available in Practice	132

Article 8: Existing Protections	136
8.1. International Bill of Human Rights	136
8.1.1 Restrict or Derogate	136
8.1.2 Conventions and Declarations.	137

PART III: The Community or Country Assessment Report	141
Community or Country Assessment Report Template	142

PART IV: Reference Documents	156
Abbreviated 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights	156
Article 18: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights	157
The 1981 U.N. Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief	159
U.N. Human Rights Committee: General Comment 22 on Article 18	163
Human Rights & Freedom of Religion or Belief.	167
Questionnaire: The Ultimate Meaning of Life	175
Case Study Worksheet	179
Global Resource Fields	183
Bibliography	189

The Tandem Project a non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 1986 to build understanding, tolerance, and respect for diversity of religion or belief, and to prevent discrimination in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief. The Tandem Project has sponsored multiple conferences, curricula, reference material 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 the 1981 United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.