To establish and maintain appropriate charitable or humanitarian institutions;

A charitable institution is a benevolent organization giving to the poor, and relieving them in distress, according to Webster’s, an American dictionary. A humanitarian institution promotes the welfare of humanity, especially through the elimination of pain and suffering. A major contribution of religions or beliefs is the work of charitable and humanitarian relief to the sick, poor and needy. Such service usually is a mission activity reflecting the ultimate meaning of life and how to live according to its principles. Humanitarian institutions may be serving the followers of a particular religion or belief, followers of all beliefs, or not belief at all, depending on the mandate of the organization. Charitable and humanitarian institutions are usually non-profit organizations and NGO’s. The key word in sub-paragraph 6.1.1 is “appropriate”. There are instances where, in the name of a charity, funds are raised for other purposes. These may include funding terrorist activities, to escape from taxes, or as a primary purpose to participate in overly coercive attempts to convert a person in need of their services.

Related Examples

• Kenya : “The Kenyan program of Marie Stopes International had to close two clinics and lay off 80 doctors and nurses because the Bush administration had applied a “gag rule” (no money to organizations that mention abortion) and cut off its grants. Here in shantytowns of Africa , women and girls will die. The doctors and nurses in these clinics are fighting AIDS, rape, sexually transmitted diseases, genital mutilation of girls, and instead of being hailed as heros, they’re denigrated and stripped of funds by ideologues who don’t know what an African slum is.” 3 There are many courageous traditional religious organizations in Africa , not in favor of abortion, but doing heroic work under difficult circumstances. Rarely do they condition care upon coercive proselytizing of their beliefs.

Learning Experiences

This is a chance to learn of the good works of charitable and humanitarian institutions in your community. Talk with the leaders of religions or beliefs to see if there are such institutions serving your community, get an idea of what is being done, and categorize them under Article 4: Effective Measures. You may wish to mention groups of persons who are doing similar charitable or humanitarian work outside of institutional structures. Check with your local government officials to see what rules they must operate under and if there are any cases of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. There are instances where funds are used for both legitimate social services and to fund activities that threaten a State. Can these two functions be separated and still continue to operate as a charitable or humanitarian institution?

TOPIC NOTES

Term 6.1.2: Charitable and Humanitarian Institutions

To establish and maintain appropriate charitable or humanitarian institutions;

Turn to the names of the charitable and humanitarian institutions in your Community Resources list and call them to see what rules and regulations they operate under and if any have been denied the right to establish such institutions.

3. Nicholas D. Kristoff, KillingThem Softly, New York Times Op-Ed Page, 20 September 2003 .