The Tandem Project

UNITED NATIONS, HUMAN RIGHTS &
FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF

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Now is the Time

THE TANDEM PROJECT

QUESTIONNAIRE

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Survey Objectives & Information

Survey Letter

This Questionnaire on Human Rights & Freedom of Religion or Belief measures organizational awareness, understanding and acceptance of the 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, at international, national and local levels.

Human rights are individual and universal. Organizations do not have the rights of a person. They have human rights responsibilities, obligations, certain rights and benefits. The definition of organization for this Survey is based on Article 2 of the 1981 UN Declaration; No one shall be subject to discrimination by any State; institution, group of persons or person on the grounds of religion or other beliefs.

The Survey divides organizations into nine sub-categories: 1. governments; 2. institutions of religion or belief; 3. places of worship; 4. primary and secondary public, private and religious schools; 5. academic institutions, higher education; 6. interfaith networks, peace and justice; 7. human rights NGOs; 8. media, business, civil society, social services, foundations and charities; 9. Individuals.

Identify the number of your category or categories and type in the name, email and organization.

Name:
Email:
Organization:

1. Category	Select all that apply
	1. governments
	2. institutions of religion or belief
	3. places of worship
	4. primary and secondary public, private and religious schools
	5. academic institutions, higher education
	6. interfaith networks, peace and justice
	7. human rights NGOs
	8. media, business, civil society, social services
	9. Individuals

QUESTIONS

CHECKLIST: indicators of inclusive and genuine approaches to human rights and freedom of religion or belief, based on mission of an organization and a majority of its membership.

I: Indicators

Theist, Non-theist, Atheist, Not-belief

International human rights law equally protects theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs, as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief, as defined by General Comment 22 on Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: (Objectives & Links).

Theist: faith in a traditional description of God as a supernatural deity or deities; or who believes in a form of Deism or unstructured supernatural spirituality.

2. The organization may be described as theistic with theistic beliefs.	Yes	No
3. Mission is primarily for the promotion and protection of theistic beliefs.	Yes	No
4. Protects all beliefs equally against discrimination as defined by international law.	Yes	No

Non-theist: believes in a Universal Mind, striving for spiritual self actualization, Reincarnation, Pantheist, (nature as God), spirituality without a supernatural deity, or Buddhism, described by some as a Godless religion without a supernatural deity.

5. The organization may be described as non-theist with non-theist beliefs.	Yes	No
6. Mission is primarily for the promotion and protection of non-theist beliefs.	Yes	No
7. Protects all beliefs equally against discrimination as defined above by international law.	Yes	No

Atheist: believes in materialism, naturalism, does not believe in any form of supernatural reality, otherworldly or traditional descriptions of God.

8. The organization may be described as atheist with atheist beliefs.	Yes	No
9. Mission is primarily for promotion and protection of atheist beliefs.	Yes	No
10. Protects all beliefs equally against discrimination as defined by international law.	Yes	No

No Religion or Belief: secular, agnostic, neutral, all-inclusive, suspends belief in theistic, non-theistic or atheistic beliefs, remains open to conviction.

11. The organization may be described as neutral, agnostic, with no professed beliefs.	Yes	No
12. Mission is primarily for the promotion and protection of neutral, agnostic or no beliefs.	Yes	No
13. Protects all beliefs equally against discrimination as defined by international law.	Yes	No

II: Indicators

Awareness, Understanding, Acceptance

These questions are on awareness, understanding and acceptance of International Human Rights Standards on Freedom of Religion or Belief. The answers will describe the majority in the organization and not individual members.

Awareness: of international human rights treaty law on freedom of religion or belief as expressed in Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.

14. Aware of the 1948 UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and why it was written.	Yes	No
15. Realizes there is an International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR).	Yes	No
16. Has heard of the International Human Rights Law on Freedom of Religion or Belief.	Yes	No

Understanding: Article 18 CCPR and the 1981 UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Form of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.

17. Has read the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR).	Yes	No
18. Understands the articles of the 1981 UN Declaration and why it was adopted.	Yes	No
19. Recognizes Human Rights Covenants are interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.	Yes	No

Acceptance: implements Article 18 ICCPR and 1981 UN Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief at international, national and local levels through integration, dialogue and education.

20. Integrates international standards on freedom of religion or belief at national-local levels.	Yes	No
21. Uses international standards on freedom of religion or belief as a resource for dialogue.	Yes	No
22. Applies international standards on freedom of religion or belief in all educational grades.	Yes	No

III: Indicators

Cooperation, Competition, Conflict

These questions are on a comprehensive approach to integration, dialogue and education. Article 4 of the 1981 UN Declaration; All States shall take effective measures to prevent and eliminate discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief in the recognition, exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in all fields of civil, economic, political, social and cultural life.

Cooperation: cooperates with other organizations in all fields of civil, economic, political, social and cultural life. Includes effective measures in areas such: as economic development; poverty programs; food; housing; social services; education; political participation; cultural programs; etc.

23. Cooperates only with organizations representing the same religion or belief.	Yes	No
24. Participates with organizations representing other religions or beliefs.	Yes	No
25. Cooperation focus includes prevention of discrimination based on religion or belief.	Yes	No

Competition: openness to a discussion of competition between organizations as a human rights standard on freedom of religion or belief is an important issue to a comprehensive approach to integration, dialogue and education. Article 1 of 1981 UN Declaration; No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have a religion or belief of his choice.

26. Organization discusses proselytism as a right to promote a religion or belief.	Yes	No
27. Openly discusses the right to choice with organizations of other religions or beliefs.	Yes	No
28. Refers to international guidelines on the right to competition, conversion and choice.	Yes	No

Conflict: conflict within and between religions or beliefs are openly discussed within a human rights-based context: Freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. Article 20 CCPR; any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law.

29. Organization uses a human rights-based approach to resolutions of conflicts.	Yes	No
30. Root source of conflicts are discussed with other organizations.	Yes	No
31. 1981 UN Declaration is used in approaches to the resolution of conflicts.	Yes	No

IV: Indicators

Respect, Taboos, Clarity

These questions are on respectful discourse, discussion of taboos and clarity of diverse beliefs. Organizations and persons with diverse beliefs, traditions and cultures may approach freedom of religion or belief from different worldviews, talking past instead of with and to each other.

Respect: for right of others to hold religious and non-religious beliefs different than our own as an inviolable principle of democracy.

32. Has discussed the reasons and the need for respectful dialogue on religion or belief.	Yes	No
33. Discusses need for respectful dialogue among and between religions or beliefs.	Yes	No
34. Has written guidelines for respectful dialogue with others on religion or belief.	Yes	No

Taboos: prohibited areas for discussion of a religion or belief agreed upon by a tradition, culture or law. Article 19 ICCPR; everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression. It may be subject to certain restrictions as provided by law and necessary for respect for the rights or reputations of others, or for the protection of national security, public order, public health or morals.

35. Organization has taboos that discourage or prevent open discussion of religion or belief.	Yes	No
36. Defines defamation of religion within the context of freedom of opinion and expression.	Yes	No
37. Uses human rights-based approach to discuss taboos and defamation of religion or belief.	Yes	No

Clarity: ability to listen and to clearly express the core aspects of a religion or belief.

38. Organization has training to clearly discern core positions of a religion or belief.	Yes	No
39. Has written guidelines available for dialogue on core ideology with other organizations.	Yes	No
40. Refers to human rights standards on freedom of religion or belief as resource for clarity.	Yes	No