In 1966, the United Nations General Assembly passed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 40 of the ICCPR says, “The States Parties to the present Covenant (ICCPR) undertake to submit reports on the measures they have adopted which give effect to the rights recognized herein and on the progress made in the enjoyment of those rights.” To review ICCPR reports the General Assembly created the United Nations Human Rights Committee (HRC), a body of experts elected by the General Assembly to review the programs of those countries that have ratified this international treaty and make comments on ways they can adhere to its provisions. The United Nations Human Rights Committee General Comment 22 states, Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights PROTECTS THEISTIC, NON-THEISTIC AND ATHEISTIC BELIEFS, AS WELL AS THE RIGHT NOT TO PROFESS ANY RELIGION OR BELIEF.

INSTRUCTIONS

The Community Report template can be a resource and reference method for an exchange of information by e-mail between individuals and organizations of all cultures, regions, countries and communities on Article 18 as international treaty law and the specifics of the 1981 U.N. Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief, for those who do not wish to take the Distance Learning Course or write a Community Report on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Part III: Community Report is especially helpful for Human Rights Education (HRE) teachers or trainers of other human rights curricula looking for ways to include teaching on human rights and freedom of religion or belief.

For those taking the Distance Learning Course, this is a template for your Community Report on Human Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief. It is meant to summarize research from your Study Topic assignments and Community Databases. The empty boxes below for your answers if this were an inter-active, distant learning course. This is not an inter-active format. YOU MUST EITHER CUT AND PASTE, AND EXPAND THE BOXES FOR YOUR ANSWERS, OR CREATE A DUPLICATE WORD DOCUMENT FILE FOR YOUR REPORT: Write and bold all headings andwrite but do not bold the paragraphs in italics below the headings. Write your answers in the boxes below the headings and italics. Send your Community Report to The Tandem Project by e-mail and word document file attachment.