The Religion and Freedom Summit IV, held on September 24-25 on the Latin American Parliament in Panama Metropolis, introduced collectively a various coalition of voices advocating for non secular freedom and peaceable coexistence. With greater than 40 worldwide audio system representing a wide selection of beliefs—together with Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Scientologists, Indigenous Mayans, Sikhs, Hindus, and non-believers—the summit served as an important platform for dialogue and collaboration. Among the many keynote audio system was UN Particular Rapporteur on Freedom of Faith or Perception, Dr. Nazila Ghanea.
In a major handle delivered digitally on the Religion and Freedom Summit held on the Latin American Parliament in Panama, Dr. Nazila Ghanea, highlighted the crucial position of making certain that nobody suffers discrimination or violations of human rights on account of their faith or perception. Regardless of her incapability to attend in individual, Dr. Ghanea’s speech touched on numerous pertinent themes which might be central to the worldwide efforts to safeguard this elementary freedom.
Guaranteeing Freedom of Faith or Perception for All:
Dr. Ghanea started her remarks by emphasizing the collective duty that every certainly one of us shares in upholding freedom of faith or perception. She acknowledged, “We’ve got gathered…in recognition of the obligations we shoulder in making certain that no person is discriminated [against] on grounds of their faith or perception, and that every certainly one of us is ready to get pleasure from freedom of faith or perception.” The summit introduced collectively contributors from throughout the globe, each in-person and digitally, to reaffirm the significance of advancing these rights for all.
Diplomacy and Freedom of Faith or Perception:
One of many key themes Dr. Ghanea highlighted was the intersection of diplomacy and the safety of spiritual freedoms. She referred to the report AHRC 5238, offered to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2023, which targeted on the worldwide panorama of freedom of faith or perception. The report attracts consideration to the rising variety of actors concerned on this diplomacy and calls on them to uphold the universality and indivisibility of human rights. Regardless of the rising engagement, Dr. Ghanea warned that “the problem earlier than us stays nice,” urging for sustained efforts on this space.
Regional and Worldwide Cooperation:
Dr. Ghanea underlined the importance of collaboration between regional and worldwide programs for safeguarding non secular freedoms. She famous the productive engagement between her mandate and regional our bodies just like the Inter-American Fee on Human Rights and the Inter-American Courtroom. “It’s crucial that we’re knowledgeable, we’re open, and we depart the choice for collaboration,” she burdened. Such cooperation is important to sharing finest practices, lending assist, and even taking joint actions the place attainable.
Grassroots and Civil Society Involvement:
One other essential theme in Dr. Ghanea’s speech was the position of nationwide programs, civil society, and grassroots actions in selling freedom of faith or perception. She referenced her October 2023 report (A78207) to the UN Common Meeting, which examined this proper from a grassroots perspective. “If we don’t contemplate it from the perspective of the beneficiary, that’s everybody, then what’s the level of freedom of faith or perception?” she requested rhetorically. Dr. Ghanea emphasised that state actors have a authorized obligation, whereas non-state actors carry the duty to make sure this proper is totally realized.
On the nationwide degree, she burdened that the state’s obligation extends to numerous authorities, from federal to municipal ranges, and that these actors have to be conscious, educated, and held accountable. Non-state actors, significantly civil society, play an important position in strengthening nationwide insurance policies and holding governments accountable to their worldwide human rights obligations.
Media’s Function in Selling Non secular Freedom:
Dr. Ghanea additionally touched upon the media’s impression on selling or hindering freedom of faith or perception. She referred to the report AHRC 5547, offered in March 2024, which mentioned the position of media and civil society in countering advocacy of hatred based mostly on faith or perception. She emphasised that media responses, alongside state and civil society actions, may be transformative in selling non secular tolerance and understanding.
Religions and Beliefs as Devices of Peace:
In the direction of the conclusion of her speech, Dr. Ghanea referred to her upcoming report (A79182) on peace and freedom of faith or perception, to be offered in October 2024. The report explores how non secular freedom can foster peacebuilding and battle prevention. “Freedom of faith or perception creates the circumstances, motivations, rationales, and actions for peace to emerge,” she acknowledged, highlighting the potential of this elementary proper to not solely guarantee private freedoms but additionally to function a cornerstone for world peace and stability.
Conclusion: A Name for Continued Collaboration and Vigilance:
Dr. Ghanea’s speech ended on a word of optimism and a name for continued vigilance and collaboration in securing freedom of faith or perception. Congratulating the summit organizers for curating such a related and impactful program, she reaffirmed the crucial significance of drawing consideration to each state and non-state actors’ obligations in securing this proper. She additionally expressed hope that the summit would sharpen collaboration between political leaders, non secular figures, human rights advocates, lecturers, and others in attaining better effectiveness in safeguarding freedom of faith or perception for all.
Dr. Ghanea prolonged her finest needs for the success of the summit and expressed her eagerness to listen to about its findings. Her message underscored the shared dedication to upholding certainly one of humanity’s most elementary freedoms, making certain that each individual, no matter their religion or perception, can stay with out concern of discrimination or oppression.
“So to sum up, I congratulate the organisers for sketching out such a pertinent programme of labor for the summit and be part of all of you in prioritising and recognising the crucial obligations of state authorities in securing this proper for everybody and drawing consideration to the numerous obligations of the remainder of us in direction of the identical goal.” concluded Ghanea.
The Religion and Freedom Summit IV was organised by a coalition of NGOs devoted to the promotion of spiritual freedom and peaceable coexistence, and was attended by quite a few personalities such because the OAS Consultant in Panama H.E. Mr Rubén Farje, Reverend Giselle Lima (Co-Coordinator of the Panama Roundtable on Non secular Freedom in Panama, Mr. Iván Arjona-Pelado (not too long ago appointed Chair of the NGO Committee on FoRB for the United Nations in Geneva and who offered the net www.whatisfreedomofreligion.org from the Church of Scientology), Ms. Maureen Ferguson who is among the USCIRF Commissioners, Jan Figel (former EU Particular Envoy on FoRB) and it was opened and closed by the Minister In Cost of Inside and Minister In Cost of International Affairs of the Authorities of Panama, plus ambassadors from totally different international locations.