OPINIONS

  

THE TANDEM PROJECT
http://www.tandemproject.com.

UNITED NATIONS, HUMAN RIGHTS,
FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF

Dear Sir or Madam,

This is a request for your views on the value of Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – Everyone has a right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, and the 1981 United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.  The Tandem Project encourages the United Nations, Governments, Religions or Beliefs, Academia, NGOs, Media and Civil Society to use International Human Rights Standards on Freedom of Religion or Belief as essential for long-term solutions to conflicts based on religion or belief. If you are not familiar with these human rights standards read the material below on Concept, Meaning and Value before you submit your views at the end of this letter. Your opinions are welcome and will be appreciated. 

In 1968 the United Nations General Assembly, allegedly due to the sensitivity and complexity of a legally-binding treaty on religion, deferred work on a draft Convention on Religious Intolerance. Author Sam Harris has given an explanation for this kind of sensitivity, “Religion raises the stakes of human conflict much higher than tribalism, racism, or politics ever can, as it is the only form of in-group/out-group thinking that casts the differences between people in terms of eternal rewards and punishments.” An address by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to the United Nations backed Alliance of Civilizations Forum is prophetic; “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.”

  • Concept: Click on http://www.tandemproject.com and Introduction on the home page. The United Nations protects theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs, as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief. These categories may be defined as umbrella designations. Click on Concept for an explanation of these categories. Return to the home page.    
  • Meaning: Click on http://www.tandemproject.com and Introduction on the home page. Religion or belief has been described as explaining the ultimate meaning of life and how to accordingly. Click on Religions or Beliefs to review world religions and beliefs. Click on Dialogue to review quotes meant to stimulate thoughts for discussion on the ultimate meaning of life and how you live accordingly. Return to the home page.     
  • Value: Click on http://www.tandemproject.com and Introduction on the home page. Click International Standards and review International Standards on Human Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief.  On a scale of 1-10 think of a number, for a response at the end of this letter, on the value these International Standards have been for you now and how you might use them in the future. Return to the home page.

You have a story to tell about your own journey, the ultimate meaning of your life and how you live accordingly. Your response does not have to be lengthy. We are interested in your story and appraisal from you on the value of the United Nations effort to promote individual liberty for freedom of religion or belief, while providing protection against discrimination if core beliefs are used to abuse others.

Take your time to read the material. Then identify your core beliefs and send your advice on the value of International Human Rights Standards on Freedom of Religion or Belief. After several stories and opinions are submitted by individuals, The Tandem Project will send them to the United Nations for an evaluation on the effectiveness of these human rights standards. 

Click on the link below to submit a response. Your last name and e-mail address is optional if you want your answers to be confidential. You must use a first name, initial or another form of identification. Each time you submit an answer use the same identification. Multiple submissions will be formatted and sent to you if an e-mail address is provided. Confidentiality will remain.

http://www.tandemproject.com/program/opinion_input.htm

Thank you. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,  

Michael M. Roan

Executive Director,
The Tandem Project
Tel: 01 (612) 825-2842
mroan@tandemproject.com.

The Tandem Project: a non-profit, non-governmental organization established in 1986 to build understanding and respect for diversity of religion or belief, and 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 initiative was launched in 1986 as the result of a co-founder representing the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) at the 1984 United Nations Geneva Seminar, Encouragement of Understanding, Tolerance and Respect in Matters Relating to Freedom of Religion or Belief, called by the UN Secretariat on ways to implement the 1981 UN Declaration. In 1986, The Tandem Project organized the first NGO International Conference on the 1981 UN Declaration.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights First Preamble reads: “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. This principle suggests all States recalling their history, culture and constitution, provide equal protection as declared by international law; for theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs, as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief. International Human Rights Standards on Freedom of Religion or Belief are essential for long term solutions to conflicts 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