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THE TANDEM PROJECT http://www.tandemproject.com. UNITED NATIONS, HUMAN RIGHTS,
The Tandem Project is a UN NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Global advocacy for the universal values and principles of human rights Separation of Religion or Belief and State On 10 March 2011 the UN Human Rights Council held a Commemorative Event side panel on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the mandate on freedom of religion or belief. The Rapporteur’s Digest on Freedom of Religion or Belief: Excerpts of the Reports from 1986 to 2011 by the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief Arranged by Topics of the Framework for Communications is a 108 page report that can be downloaded as a resource for education and research. OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/religion/index.htm
An e-Digest on Freedom of Religion or Belief – 25 years of thought by four UN Special RapporteursGENEVA (10 March 2011) – From freedom from coercion, to State religion; from the right to manifest one's religion or belief, to religious intolerance and extremism: on the 25th anniversary of the mandate’s establishment, UN Special Rapporteur Heiner Bielefeldt launched today a key reference e-book compiling observations and recommendations by the four independent experts who have served on the Freedom of Religion or Belief mandate since 1986. In its 25 years of existence, the mandate has identified worrying trends relating to intolerance, discrimination and violence against individuals based on their religion or belief. “As demonstrated by the attacks in the last months, members of religious or belief minorities experience a shocking degree of public resentment or even hatred,” warned the Special Rapporteur. For ease of reference, the Digest is arranged by the five topics of the Rapporteur’s framework for communications. The first category deals, among other issues, with elements of the right to freedom of religion or belief, religious symbols and the right of parents to ensure the religious and moral education of their children. It then explores discrimination on the basis of religion or belief, inter-religious discrimination, and tolerance, as well as State religion. The third category deals with vulnerable groups, including women, children, refugees, members of minorities, migrant workers and persons deprived of their liberty. The fourth topic covers situations where the right to freedom of religion intersects with violations of other human rights, such as freedom of expression and opinion – including questions related to religious conflicts, religious intolerance and extremism – as well as the rights to life and to liberty. Finally, the fifth category covers cross-cutting issues, including international provisions on limitations and derogations. Download your e-Digest copy: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/religion/docs/RapporteursDigestFreedomReligionBelief.pdf For more information and media requests please contact Michael Wiener (Tel.: +41 22 917 9159 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +41 22 917 9159 end_of_the_skype_highlighting / email: mwiener@ohchr.org) or write to freedomofreligion@ohchr.org. 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 all 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. Document Attached: HISTORY - United Nations & Freedom of Religion or Belief |