Ján Figeľ

Month: October 2016

  • ‘Without education Syrian children will be the next generation of IS’

    ‘Without education Syrian children will be the next generation of IS’

    Bearing samples of drawing and messages gathered from 1.2 million Muslim and Christian children from schools in Homs, Aleppo and Damascus, Syria, an appeal for peace was brought by representatives of the three main churches in Syria to policymakers at the highest levels of the EU and UN institutions.

    Organized by the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the delegation visit, representing 95% of all Christians in Syria, was led by the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregorius III Laham of Antioch and all the East and Alexandria and Jerusalem, Metropolitan Georgis Abou-Zakhem of the Antioch Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Homs, and Metropolitan Selwanos Boutros Alnemeh of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Homs and Hama, Syria.

    Fourteen meetings were held at the EU institutions in Brussels including discussions with Jan Figel the EU Special Representative for Freedom of Religion, Christos Stylianides the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Emergency Aid, Federica Mogherini the EU High Representative for External Relations and Security, the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker.

    Encouraging EU policy makers to press the international community for security and stability in Syria, Patriarch Gregorios III stated: “Peace in Syria will come only if everyone does his part. The international community has to sit down again and achieve security and stability. Peace, however, cannot be imposed, it must come from inside, from the hearts of each one of us – and that has and continues to be the work of the Churches, every day”.

    European Parliament President Martin Schulz stated: “The circumstances are dramatic and your timely visit allows us to underline our solidarity and our respect for your tireless efforts to seek peace. Know that your meetings have been greatly discussed by our colleagues and that it is extremely important to know the situation on the ground”.

    “The role of the Christians in Syria is important not only because of the past but also for the future”, said Metropolitan Georgis Abou-Zakhem. “Christians are uniquely trusted; we are in some ways the glue in the Syrian society enabling dialogue and reconciliation in a country in which we have lived together for over 14 centuries”. Citing several examples of this Muslim-Christian dialogue of life in Homs, where he has lived since before the beginning of the conflict, Bishop Georgis demonstrated that the different communities of Muslims and the Christians know how to get along: “With security and stability, social life picks up again rapidly as we witness with the people who are coming back to Homs. We are helping both Muslims and Christians integrate back into the villages”.

    This was echoed by Metropolitan Selwanos of Homs explaining how Christians living throughout the country serve as a guarantee that Syria will not be divided into sectarian provinces. “We are rebuilding schools and they are open for everyone; more than 90% of the students are Muslim because they believe in the quality of our education and like this the new generation learns to live together.”

    The delegation then moved from Brussels to Geneva bringing the children’s messages to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zaaid Al-Hussain, seeking concrete ways to cooperate with their respective UN delegates inside Syria.

    “The Churches are, in some areas where other international NGO’s have withdrawn due to security risks, one of the few remaining structures effective in helping the humanitarian needs,” said ACN Middle East Project Director Fr. Andrzej Halemba. The Churches are already helping families of internally displaced persons returning to their destroyed homes, for example in Qusayr, to buy construction and repair materials with which to start to rebuild. Filippo Grandi stated: “The UN needs the Churches as messengers of peace, because they speak for everyone.”

    “A generation without school is a lost generation capable of joining ISIS out of despair. We are not politicians, our part is to rekindle the soul of a multicultural Syrian society”, explained Patriarch Gregorios III, “we are confident that with enough stability and security allowing children to go to school we are cementing a peaceful future for Syria.”

    EndFragment

    BRUSSELS / GENEVA “Without education Syrian children will be the next generation of Islamic State”- Mark Riedemann – Aid to the Church in Need (Malta)

    The article is avilable here: http://www.acnmalta.org/2016/10/21/brussels-geneva-without-education-syrian-children-will-be-the-next-generation-of-islamic-state-acn-malta/

  • EU Slams Britain: ISIS Is Committing Genocide And You’re Doing Nothing

    EU Slams Britain: ISIS Is Committing Genocide And You’re Doing Nothing

    Boris Johnson is under fire from the EU’s special envoy on religious freedom over the failure to describe ISIS atrocities against Christians and Yazidis as “genocide”, Christian Today can reveal.

    In an interview in Brussels on Thursday Ján Figel, the European Union’s special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion and belief, criticised the Foreign Secretary for not acting after MPs’ unanimously described ISIS crimes as “genocide”. The term, which carries legal and moral obligations, has been adopted by the White House, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe.

    All MPs who spoke in the debate called on the government to recognise ISIS’ crimes in the Middle East as genocide.Reuters

    Figel told Christian Today he was “disappointed” with Johnson and expected him to “take it up” after the “British Parliament clearly expressed an announcement of genocide”.

    In an interview in Brussels, Figel issued a direct call on the UK to act on the will of its MPs. “The United Nations needs leadership and there are certain countries who are permanent members of the UN security council [who can do that].

    “I am sure the message of the US people and the UK population has given a strong mandate” to the two governments, he said. “The government should take executive action which is truly in line with the parliament.”

    MPs passed a motion by 278 to 0 votes that described ISIS’ atrocities as genocide and called on the government to act in April. But ministers and their aides were ordered to abstain from the vote and no action has since been taken.

    Jan Figel is a former European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth.Reuters

    The International Criminal Court (ICC) can only investigate whether a genocide has occurred if it is asked to do so by the UN security council, of which the UK is a permanent member. But the foreign office has refused to bring a resolution to the council. A senior source told Christian Today there was an “institutional reluctance” among officials to declare genocide because it would require action.

    The UK is a signatory to the genocide convention which, if declared, requires states to both prevent it continuing and prosecute the perpetrators. This would require a significant step up in UK military action in the Middle East and would also oblige more action to protect the refugees who have fled.

    Figel issued an impassioned call to end “a century of genocide”. He told an audience of journalists and officials: “In October 1946 there was a commitment – ‘never again’. We have failed.”

    There is evidence of genocide “like never before”, he said at the conference organised by the legal organisation Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). “Whether this century of genocide continues or ends depends on us. It is a question of whether indifference, ignorance and fear will prevail, or if humanity will prevail.”

    Ján Figeľ Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU

    The article is available here: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/eu.slams.britain.isis.is.committing.genocide.and.youre.doing.nothing/98593.htm

  • Pán Prezident, vďaka, zbohom a dovidenia!

    Priznávam, Michala Kováča som za prezidenta volil bez hlbšieho odhodlania a presvedčenia. S istotou som v januári 1993 odovzdal svoj poslanecký hlas Dr. Antonovi Neuwirthovi, bývalému politickému väzňovi, skvelému lekárovi a kresťanskému demokratovi, ktorého kandidatúru za prezidenta pre prvú parlamentnú voľbu navrhlo KDH.

    Z prvého kola voľby však prezident nevzišiel. Vtedy sme si začali uvedomovať, že nová Ústava je nastavená tak, že nik ani zvolený byť nemusí a štátna moc sa skoncentruje v rukách predsedu vlády a parlamentu. Tak sa aj stalo neskoršie, v marci 1998.

    Viacerí z KDH sme sa spolu s ďalšími opozičnými poslancami vtedy rozhodli dať v druhej voľbe hlas  Michalovi Kováčovi, v tom čase podpredsedovi HZDS. Volil som ho s nádejou a s očakávaním. Michal Kováč nesklamal. Sú takí, ktorých veľká moc deformuje a korumpuje. A sú takí, ktorých veľká zodpovednosť pretavuje v úctyhodné osobnosti, čo si s rastom svojej moci uvedomujú zmysel služby v pravde a spravodlivosti. Michal Kováč v najvyššej funkcii vyrástol na oporu ústavnosti a demokracie v novej Slovenskej republike. S odvahou a statočne znášal útoky a osočovanie od svojich oponentov a neprajníkov. Pokora bola jeho silou. Stal sa príkladom slúžiaceho lídra.

    Pamätáme, ako naň pokrikovali davy z Pasienkov, ktoré burcoval premiér Mečiar, bilboardový LenOn. Ako prezidenta Kováča odmietali pri návštevách v okresoch prijímať politické bábky s označením prednosta. S nenávisťou a krivo o prezidentovi komunikovali štátom platení novinári a médiá, zvlášť po únose jeho syna Michala. Krvavé rozmery tento zápas nadobudol, keď vládou spravovaná SIS zapojila do politického zápasu mafiu a keď bol brutálne zavraždený nepohodlný svedok – spojka pri zločine zavlečenia mladý Róbert Remiáš. Prezident to trpezlivo niesol ako svoj kríž. Budúcnosť sa nerodí bez obety, ale práve cez ňu. Išlo o budúcnosť demokracie a Slovenska v zjednotenej Európe. Po skončení funkcie sa Michal Kováč intenzívne zaoberal možnou korektúrou  tzv. divokej privatizácie v r. 1995 – 98. Veľmi túžil po náprave krívd a po spravodlivosti.  Pri mnohých stretnutiach rozvíjal a šíril myšlienky kresťanského sociálneho učania, ktoré považoval za inšpirujúce pre zdravý rozvoj spoločnosti.

    Zápas o demokratický charakter Slovenska, zrušenie nemorálnych a protiprávnych Mečiarových amnestií, občianska odvaha a statočnosť sú dôležité pre našu súčasnosť a budúcnosť viac, než len pre vysporiadanie sa s minulosťou. Krivdy treba naprávať, reči sú málo. Ak štát bude mládež voziť vlakmi zadarmo, ale nebude jej garantovať spravodlivosť a vládu práva, ako bude vyzerať naša spoločnosť, politika a kultúra? Vari nie je spravodlivosť viac než popularita či populizmus? Vari sa bez nej dá slušne žiť? Prvý prezident demokratickej Slovenskej republiky dbal o ústavnosť, spravodlivosť a ľudskú dôstojnosť. Odmietal politickú manipuláciu a sociálnu demagógiu. Aj preto ho uznávali slušní občania a svetové osobnosti.

    Pán Prezident, vďaka, zbohom a dovidenia!

    Ján Figeľ

    13. 10. 2016

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  • International Protection of Religious Freedom

    The Pew Research Center estimates that 77% of the world’s population lives in countries that experience a high or very high level of religious restrictions, and other studies reveal that such restrictions increase social violence and migration. Concerns about global religious freedom have prompted a variety of responses from Western democracies. For instance, the European Union has recently appointed a new special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion. Outside the European Union, Canada eliminated the post of ambassador-at-large for religious freedom. What do these and other developments mean for international religious freedom? How can governments promote tolerance and fight against religious restrictions? We bring together key scholars and leaders involved in shaping government responses to religious restrictions to discuss these questions. This is event is moderated by Professor Brett G. Scharffs, director of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies, at Brigham Young University School of Law, and features Ambassador David N. Saperstein, the ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom for the U.S. Department of State; the Honorable Ján Figeľ, European Union’s special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion and belief outside the European Union; and Professor Thomas F. Farr is the president of the Religious Freedom Institute and director of Georgetown University’s Religious Freedom Project. This event was co-sponsored by the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at Brigham Young University (http://www.iclrs.org) and the Religious Freedom Center of the Newseum Institute (http://www.religiousfreedomcenter.org).

  • Figeľ: Sýrske deti apelujú na Európu, aby sa mier stal realitou

    Figeľ: Sýrske deti apelujú na Európu, aby sa mier stal realitou

    TASR, včera 14:51, aktualizované včera 18:40

    Zaobchádzanie s menšinami je podľa Figeľa testom demokracie a menšiny v Sýrii by si zaslúžili viac práv a ochrany. Deti vďaka 3.000 kresbám žiadajú, aby sa znovu mohli vrátiť do školských lavíc.3-282551cc41a05fd85b36968244511064141eb737

    Brusel 11. októbra (TASR) – Aleppo zomiera a dnešné stretnutie s predstaviteľmi sýrskych kresťanov je prejavom úsilia o zmenu vývoja udalostí v Sýrii. Po stretnutí so zástupcami najpočetnejších kresťanských cirkví na sýrskom území to dnes vyhlásil Ján Figeľ, osobitný vyslanec EÚ pre otázky náboženských slobôd a vyznania vo svete.
    Figeľ označil túto návštevu za výnimočnú, pretože vrcholní predstavitelia sýrskych kresťanov prišli prvýkrát do Bruselu spolu – a navyše s naliehavým odkazom.
    “Viac ako 1,2 milióna sýrskych detí svojimi kresbami apeluje na Európu, aby sa mier a perspektíva pre ne stala realitou,” uviedol vyslanec Únie. Deti prostredníctvom troch tisícok kresieb žiadajú, aby sa znovu mohli vrátiť do školských lavíc.
    Zaobchádzanie s menšinami je podľa Figeľa testom demokracie a menšiny v Sýrii by si zaslúžili viac práv a ochrany. Nádeja sa, že v krajine, ktorá sa už päť rokov zmieta v ozbrojenom konflikte, zvíťazí nakoniec politické riešenie. Pripomenul, že od 2. októbra spustili predstaviteľka diplomacie EÚ Federica Mogheriniová a eurokomisár pre humanitárnu pomoc a krízový manažment Christos Stylianidis krízovú humanitárnu iniciatívu pre Aleppo.
    “Deti sú budúcnosť a naše stretnutie dokazuje, že vám na nich záleží,” povedal Figeľovi patriarcha melchitskej gréckokatolíckej cirkvi Gregor III., ktorý vlani navštívil Slovensko. S vyslancom Únie sa zhodli na tom, že kľúčom k mieru je vzdelanie, to je však pre vojnový konflikt mnohým sýrskym deťom odopierané. Patriarcha navrhol, aby deti z EÚ nejako zareagovali na kresby sýrskych detí, ktoré do Bruselu priniesli. Viac na teraz.sk

  • Syrian religious leaders in Brussels: “We want to live in our land, we don’t want to leave”

    Syrian religious leaders in Brussels: “We want to live in our land, we don’t want to leave”

    Jan Figel, the EU Special Envoy for Religious Freedom and Belief outside the EU, met with Syrian religious leaders in Brussels, led by H.E. Patriarch Gregorios III Laham, Spiritual leader of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, H.E. Georges Abou Zakhem, Most Reverend Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Homs and H.E. Selwanos Boutros Alnemeh, Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of Homs and Hama, who visited the European Commission this morning.

    They brought a petition for peace, signed by over one million Syrian children, as well as drawings and letters from more than 2,000 Syrian schools. This appeal for peace is a joint campaign being carried out by Catholic and Orthodox Christians in Syria, Muslims and religious communities from Aleppo, Damascus, Homs and other cities.

    During the meeting, H.E. Patriarch Gregorios III Laham stressed the importance of the children since “they will be the ones to build the new Syria after the war.“

    “The petition signed by children means two things: a request for peace and a request for education,” H.E. Georges Abou Zakhem underlined. He also called for the EU “not to consider Christians a minority in Syria.” “We are a very strong and ancient component. Moderate muslims also recognize our ancient aspects,” the Patriarch concluded.

    “We want to live in our land, we don’t want to leave,” H.E. Selwanos Boutros Alnemeh said. “There, Church is strong and it can give humanitarian aid . We need the EU to make pressure on the countries involved in the war in Syria to reach peace.”

    Ján Figel highlighted that: “In the midst of the ongoing Middle East crisis and violent atrocities that are affecting the whole region, this unified message manifests a strong human appeal to act. Since the earliest days of the European integration, faith communities across our continent have illustrated how a willingness to believe and a dedication to care for others can enrich our lives and our societies. Today, it is our common responsibility to provide support and solidarity to those in need.“

    EU Special Envoy for Religious Freedom Figel concluded the meeting by remembering the words of one of Europe’s founding fathers Robert Schuman about the need to have a European soul and expressing solidarity to the Syrian religious leaders.

    Pic © European Union , 2016 / Photo: Georges Boulougouris

    The Syrian children’s drawings

    The article is available here: http://europeanpost.co/syrian-religious-leaders-in-brussels-we-want-to-live-in-our-land-we-dont-want-to-leave/

    Photo gallery of the meeting is available here: http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/photo/photoByReportage.cfm?&ref=032620&sitelang=en

  • Ján Figeľ’s speech at the 23rd Annual International Law and Religion Symposium at BYU

    EUROPEAN UNION AND FoRB: A NEW MOMENTUM

    Excellencies,

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    It is with a great pleasure to be here today. Our symposium is an excellent opportunity to discuss the changing nature of religious rights under international law, as well as recent political development on both sides of Atlantic with regard to the protection of religious rights. Freedom of religion or belief is today an established human right. Since the Virginia Bill of Rights it has been enshrined in numerous human rights documents, including the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Nevertheless, despite this strong legal basis, many persons still struggle to achieve a full protection of their freedom of religion or belief. It is then more important than ever to facilitate a genuine legal research and development of faith-related legal frameworks and concepts, in the broadest sense of the word.

    It is clear that rather than promoting specific religious norms or traditions, religious freedom shall ensure equal respect for all human beings as holders of profound convictions and faith-based practices. Freedom of religion or belief refers to all human beings and therefor become universal right in the strict sense, as stated by the UN Human Rights Committee, – Article 18 protects theistic, non-theistic, and atheist beliefs, as well as the right not to profess and religion or belief. The European Court of Human Rights has developed a similar line of reasoning.

    The above clarification can provide answers to objections sometimes raised by some liberals arguing that the religious freedom is privileging Homo Religiosus. Such clarification is necessary and helpful, but not sufficient. Merely rejecting typical misunderstandings does not suffice to win hearts and minds of people and foster their active commitment on behalf of freedom of religion or belief. In the past, as well as today, many liberals, but also conservatives, strongly supported freedom of religion or belief. These rights have been historically associated with philosophers and authors such as John Locke, Thomas Pain, or Immanuel Kant, to name just a few.

    Let’s move from these historical and philosophical roots of the freedom of religion or belief to the current praxis in the public sphere. I will speak about my European experience. As you certainly know, Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, appointed me as the first Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the European Union in Vatican on the occasion of the award of the Charlemagne Prize to Pope Francis in May this year. I assume this new role for an initial mandate of one year. I understand that you would like to know more about the scope of my function, and my main priorities as well.

    On the occasion of my nomination in May, President Juncker said that freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental right which is part of the foundation of the European Union. The persistent persecution of religious and ethnic minorities makes protecting and promoting this freedom inside and outside the EU all the more essential. The European Parliament supported this endeavour and has called for this initiative in its Resolution on Systematic mass murder of religious minorities by the co-called ISIS-Daesh of 4 February 2016. Given the importance of promoting and protecting freedom of religion or belief outside the EU in the context of the EU dialogue and assistance programmes with third countries, the function of the Special Envoy is attached to the European Commissioner Neven Mimica, who is responsible for International Cooperation and Development.

    During this initial period of time, my priority will be to promote practical protection mechanisms for anyone that is persecuted and humanitarian aid for those in need in the most badly-affected areas. I will work together with the European Parliament, the European diplomatic service, the Council representing EU Member States, parliaments of the EU Member States and our international partners such as the UN or the Council of Europe to engage in a permanent dialogue on how the EU can best contribute to the promotion of freedom of religion or belief in the world. There are already several European programmes and instruments to promote human rights in general and of freedom of religion in particular, such as the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). We will develop further these programmes. I will also present a report as part of the ongoing dialogue between the European Commission and churches and religious associations or communities, which is led by the First Vice-President of the Commission Frans Timmermans.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Not only in our regular dialogue with Churches and religious associations or communities under article 17, but also in our daily interactions with the third countries, are religious leaders our key partners. I would like to stress it as the commitment to support communities and people in their countries and regions that are endangered by violence and destruction, is in line with my approach, as well as with the Resolution of the European Parliament that requested that the EU Humanitarian Aid and Cooperation units fully cooperate in their work directly with the recognised leaders of the targeted ethnic and religious minorities and include them in their plans for, and in the practical implementation and distribution of, the aid, in order to better meet their needs and those of the population in general. Recently, I have received a clear support from the religious leaders of the Middle East countries as well as from our European partners, to implement this method of cooperation. Furthermore, in October, I will meet in Brussels Patriarchs from Syria, and I am looking forward to continue our cooperation with religious leaders also during my missions in the region.

    My thematic priority is to work harder for interfaith reconciliation, dialogue and long term peace building. These political priorities should be accompanied by a concrete and efficient support, in particular in the field of education, interfaith dialogue, reconstruction and preservation of cultural heritage, as well as assistance to the refugees wishing to return to their homeland. With this in mind, I would like to stress that we are already, together with the services of the European Commission, preparing missions in some countries such as Iraq and Jordan. Iraq is a strategic country within the Middle East area, from where Abraham, respected by all three monotheistic faiths, was called to accomplish his vocation. This country was, however, wounded by horrific waves of conflicts and wars, and it is our common responsibility to help those who, since centuries, lived together, often in a fragile state of coexistence and peace, to have capabilities to restore peace and live again in their communities.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Being in America, I would like to finish with an interesting historic example of Alexis de Tocqueville, author of Democracy in America, first published in 1835. In his famous report of his visit to America during the 1830s, Tocqueville mentions discussions with American Catholic priests who not only praised religious liberty but even clearly appreciated the secular Constitution. For Tocqueville such attitude was a big surprise, as his native French clergy position was completely opposite to a secular Republic, influenced by the French Revolution. This example illustrates the impact of personal historic experience and clear advantages of freedom of religion or belief for minority populations. The experiences of Roman Catholics in America later also had an enormous impact on the Second Vatican Council and the declaration Dignitatis Humanae.

    During the 19th century, Catholics used to be a religious minority in America. Today, in a globalised world, there is not a single country, where we cannot find religious minorities. One may think of Muslims in Europe, Christians in India or Pakistan, Hindu in Malaysia, or Christians, Jezidi and Shia Muslims in Iraq. Those who really care for their own religion, usually care for the religious freedom of other believers, in particular if they suffer harassment, discrimination or even persecution. Practising solidarity in a credible and sustainable manner also implies opening oneself up to the problems with which other minorities are confronted. Such a dialogue can become an entry point for commitment on behalf of freedom of religion or belief, here in the United States, in my native Europe, but also in other countries of the world.

    Thank you for your attention.

    Ján Figel’ Special Envoy for promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU

    Symposium at the BYU in Provo, October 2016

  • EU und Freiheit der Religion oder Weltanschauung: Eine neue Momentum

    Ján Figeľ: Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU

    Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, verehrte Gäste, liebe Freunde, Es ist mir eine groβe Ehre und Freude hier Heute zu sprechen. Heute, in einer Zeit vielfacher Krisen besteht mehr als jemals zuvor in der Geschichte der EU die Gefahrt, dass Europa zerbricht an nationalen Egoismen, an Fragen der Migration, der Sicherheit, der Religion, der Werte. Wenn es ein Wort gibt, das wir bis zur Erschöpfung wiederholen müssen, dann lautet es Dialog. Wir sind aufgefordert, eine Kultur des Dialogs zu fördern. Die Kultur des Dialogs impliziert einen echten Lernprozess, aber Dialog ohne Freiheit und Wahrheit ist wirklich unmöglich.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,
    In the midst of current multilayer crisis – we see compounded migration crisis, security crisis with crisis of our values, the dialogue is the space where we can find an answer. It requires not uniformity, but a unity that can harmonise even divergent views. We should recall that the roots of the term religion are in latin religare, which means „to unite together“. It would then be a great error, even contradiction, to use the freedom of dialogue to create disunity; it would be a great mistake to use religion itself for a division of our people.

    But freedom is more than a concept of liberty. It is also rooted in moral values and human rights. This is what Locke meant when he contrasted liberty, the freedom to do what we ought, with licence, the freedom to do what we want. I believe that the moral obligation to do what is right is the starting point for both reflection and action in the field of freedom of religion or belief.

    Within this light, the Wir schaffen dass, was a moral statement meaming that we would stand firm behind our principles and values. Within international law, the UN principle of responsibility to protect marks a global political commitment endorsed by all United Nations member states to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. The EU, Germany and other actors also endorsed this principle. So, in a nutshell, this is my conceptual definition of what I wish to do as a first Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the European Union. I wish actively promote dialogue, enhance our responsibility and capacity to face adequately critical internal and external situation influenced notably by the Middle East crisis.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,
    In terms of my personal experience, you must remember that I come from the other side of the Iron Curtain. I know what it is to have no freedom of religion at all and I know what detrimental this can be, not only for individuals; lives, but also for society as a whole. After 1989 for me as a Christian Democrat religious freedom was at heart of my work. As Slovakia;s Deputy Prime Minister and EU Commissioner responsible for Education and
    Youth, I have worked for years to promote intercultural dialogue and to help those in need, including political prisoners in Iran, Belarus and Cuba – one of these became my „adoptive“ son – and we met after his release from prison.

    So there are some heart-warming human stories of hope, but let’s make it clear; today, we face a critical situation in many countries, mainly in the Middle East. In February, this was stressed in the European Parliament resolution on the systematic mass murder of religious minorities by the so-called ‘ISIS/Daesh’ in which Parliament called for the creation of the post of a permanent Special Representative for religious freedom outside the EU, a post of which I am honored to be the first holder. More euzeitung.de

  • EU und Freiheit der Religion oder Weltanschauung: Eine neue Momentum

    Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, verehrte Gäste, liebe Freunde, Es ist mir eine groβe Ehre und Freude hier Heute zu sprechen. Heute, in einer Zeit vielfacher Krisen besteht mehr als jemals zuvor in der Geschichte der EU die Gefahrt, dass Europa zerbricht an nationalen Egoismen, an Fragen der Migration, der Sicherheit, der Religion, der Werte. Wenn es ein Wort gibt, das wir bis zur Erschöpfung wiederholen müssen, dann lautet es Dialog. Wir sind aufgefordert, eine Kultur des Dialogs zu fördern. Die Kultur des Dialogs impliziert einen echten Lernprozess, aber Dialog ohne Freiheit und Wahrheit ist wirklich unmöglich.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, In the midst of current multilayer crisis – we see compounded migration crisis, security crisis with crisis of our values, the dialogue is the space where we can find an answer. It requires not uniformity, but a unity that can harmonise even divergent views. We should recall that the roots of the term religion are in latin religare, which means „to unite together“. It would then be a great error, even contradiction, to use the freedom of dialogue to create disunity; it would be a great mistake to use religion itself for a division of our people.

    But freedom is more than a concept of liberty. It is also rooted in moral values and human rights. This is what Locke meant when he contrasted liberty, the freedom to do what we ought, with licence, the freedom to do what we want. I believe that the moral obligation to do what is right is the starting point for both reflection and action in the field of freedom of religion or belief.

    Within this light, the Wir schaffen dass, was a moral statement meaming that we would stand firm behind our principles and values. Within international law, the UN principle of responsibility to protect marks a global political commitment endorsed by all United Nations member states to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. The EU, Germany and other actors also endorsed this principle. So, in a nutshell, this is my conceptual definition of what I wish to do as a first Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the European Union. I wish actively promote dialogue, enhance our responsibility and capacity to face adequately critical internal and external situation influenced notably by the Middle East crisis.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, In terms of my personal experience, you must remember that I come from the other side of the Iron Curtain. I know what it is to have no freedom of religion at all and I know what detrimental this can be, not only for individuals; lives, but also for society as a whole. After 1989 for me as a Christian Democrat religious freedom was at heart of my work. As Slovakia;s Deputy Prime Minister and EU Commissioner responsible for Education and Youth, I have worked for years to promote intercultural dialogue and to help those in need, including political prisoners in Iran, Belarus and Cuba – one of these became my „adoptive“ son – and we met after his release from prison.

    So there are some heart-warming human stories of hope, but let’s make it clear; today, we face a critical situation in many countries, mainly in the Middle East. In February, this was stressed in the European Parliament resolution on the systematic mass murder of religious minorities by the so-called ‘ISIS/Daesh’ in which Parliament called for the creation of the post of a permanent Special Representative for religious freedom outside the EU, a post of which I am honored to be the first holder.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental right that is part of the foundations of the European Union. As I said earlier, freedom is understood as the liberty to do what is right, within its moral scope and dimension. When we speak about dimensions of freedom, as you suggest – freedom of speech, freedom of thought, of conscience and opinion – all of these are attributes of the same essential liberty to do what is our moral obligation. Clearly, freedom stops when it leaves the path of moral and ethical obligation and transgresses into an arbitrary ideology. Sometimes the concept slips into ideology; this misinterpretation can then lead to the greatest crimes against humanity. This is why the moral dimension of freedom is crucial.

    We should clarify what is good and evil, and our current situation, the suffering and resistance of people in the Middle East – called genocide by not only the EU representatives but also our American partners – can be much better understood if we compare them with our past experience of genocides perpetrated in so many countries. German Parliament had courage to stressed this unfortunate history in conjunction with Armenian genocide and I believe, that responsible politicians will reflect the current situation as well. We cannot blind our eyes, we have a responsibility to give a proper name on mass murdering perpetrated against innocents.

    We all are aware of the resistance to the Nazi German regime that created both an ideological set-up as well as the military capabilities to carry out the genocide of the Jewish people. We must not forget that notable figures of resistance, such as General de Gaulle and Winston Churchill, were, at the very beginning, hen they started to implement their ideas, in a political minority. But appeasement or populism only increases the appetite of those perpetrating crimes against humanity and against freedom.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, What exactly is the task of the Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the European Union? My task as a Special Envoy was defined by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, when he stressed on 6 May, the day of my nomination, that it would sharpen our focus on this important issue and ensure its visibility. My work will clearly entail both internal and external aspects. The European Parliament recognised that the ongoing persecution of religious and ethnic groups in the Middle East is also a factor that contributes to mass migration and internal displacement. Therefore, together with the European Commissioner Neven Mimica, who is responsible for International Cooperation and Development, my priority will be to promote practical protection mechanisms for anyone that is persecuted and humanitarian aid for those in need in the most badly-affected areas.

    We will work harder, together with the European Parliament, the European Commission, the EEAS, the Council and our international partners to engage in a permanent dialogue on how the EU can best contribute to the promotion of FoRB in the world. There are already several programmes and instruments to promote human rights in general and of FoRB in particular, such as the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). I will also present a report as part of the ongoing dialogue between the European Commission and churches and religious associations or communities, which is led by the First Vice-President of the Commission Frans Timmermans.

    We are concerned at the rise of violence and threats in particular in Syria, Iraq, the Central African Republic, Iran, Pakistan, India and other countries. We are determined to defend religious freedom as a right to be exercised everywhere and by everyone. In multilateral fora, the EU is focused on consolidating the content of FoRB resolutions, both in the HRC and in the United Nations General Assembly. We also have to work closely with our bilateral partners such as the United States and Canada.

    What is clearly needed is humanitarian aid and work in the field of education and the prevention of radicalisation, in particular among young people. In Irak, in the worst-affected areas, such as the Kurdistan Region, we have to do everything we can to ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered to all civilians and offer equal protection to all ethnic and religious communities. The ongoing battle to liberate Mosul could, according to UN estimates, create up to 1.5 million refugees. We should be prepared for this situation, which could turn into a major humanitarian crisis. Lastly, we have to work on peaceful conflict resolution and interfaith dialogue.

    The European Union adopted its EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy in June 2015 stressing the importance of „ensuring that freedom of religion or belief remains high on the agenda with third countries as well as in multilateral fora“. I hope that you will support our task. I am happy to be here today, and I am confident that we will make it. Despite multiple obstacles and difficulties, we will do what is our moral and ethical duty, because without our concrete action and practical solidarity we would deny our roots and identity. Let me finish then with only one phrase – Wir schaffen das.

    Thank you for your attention.

    Ján Figeľ: Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU

    The article is available here: http://www.euzeitung.de/2016/10/03/eu-and-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-a-new-momentum/

  • EU and Freedom of Religion or Belief: A new Momentum

    Ladies and Gentlemen, In the midst of current multilayer crisis – we see compounded migration crisis, security crisis with crisis of our values, the dialogue is the space where we can find an answer. It requires not uniformity, but a unity that can harmonise even divergent views. We should recall that the roots of the term religion are in latin religare, which means „to unite together“. It would then be a great error, even contradiction, to use the freedom of dialogue to create disunity; it would be a great mistake to use religion itself for a division of our people.

    But freedom is more than a concept of liberty. It is also rooted in moral values and human rights. This is what Locke meant when he contrasted liberty, the freedom to do what we ought, with licence, the freedom to do what we want. I believe that the moral obligation to do what is right is the starting point for both reflection and action in the field of freedom of religion or belief.

    Within this light, the Wir schaffen dass, was a moral statement meaming that we would stand firm behind our principles and values. Within international law, the UN principle of responsibility to protect marks a global political commitment endorsed by all United Nations member states to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. The EU, Germany and other actors also endorsed this principle. So, in a nutshell, this is my conceptual definition of what I wish to do as a first Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the European Union. I wish actively promote dialogue, enhance our responsibility and capacity to face adequately critical internal and external situation influenced notably by the Middle East crisis.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, In terms of my personal experience, you must remember that I come from the other side of the Iron Curtain. I know what it is to have no freedom of religion at all and I know what detrimental this can be, not only for individuals; lives, but also for society as a whole. After 1989 for me as a Christian Democrat religious freedom was at heart of my work. As Slovakia;s Deputy Prime Minister and EU Commissioner responsible for Education and Youth, I have worked for years to promote intercultural dialogue and to help those in need, including political prisoners in Iran, Belarus and Cuba – one of these became my „adoptive“ son – and we met after his release from prison.

    So there are some heart-warming human stories of hope, but let’s make it clear; today, we face a critical situation in many countries, mainly in the Middle East. In February, this was stressed in the European Parliament resolution on the systematic mass murder of religious minorities by the so-called ‘ISIS/Daesh’ in which Parliament called for the creation of the post of a permanent Special Representative for religious freedom outside the EU, a post of which I am honored to be the first holder.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental right that is part of the foundations of the European Union. As I said earlier, freedom is understood as the liberty to do what is right, within its moral scope and dimension. When we speak about dimensions of freedom, as you suggest – freedom of speech, freedom of thought, of conscience and opinion – all of these are attributes of the same essential liberty to do what is our moral obligation. Clearly, freedom stops when it leaves the path of moral and ethical obligation and transgresses into an arbitrary ideology. Sometimes the concept slips into ideology; this misinterpretation can then lead to the greatest crimes against humanity. This is why the moral dimension of freedom is crucial.

    We should clarify what is good and evil, and our current situation, the suffering and resistance of people in the Middle East – called genocide by not only the EU representatives but also our American partners – can be much better understood if we compare them with our past experience of genocides perpetrated in so many countries. German Parliament had courage to stressed this unfortunate history in conjunction with Armenian genocide and I believe, that responsible politicians will reflect the current situation as well. We cannot blind our eyes, we have a responsibility to give a proper name on mass murdering perpetrated against innocents.

    We all are aware of the resistance to the Nazi German regime that created both an ideological set-up as well as the military capabilities to carry out the genocide of the Jewish people. We must not forget that notable figures of resistance, such as General de Gaulle and Winston Churchill, were, at the very beginning, hen they started to implement their ideas, in a political minority. But appeasement or populism only increases the appetite of those perpetrating crimes against humanity and against freedom.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, What exactly is the task of the Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the European Union? My task as a Special Envoy was defined by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, when he stressed on 6 May, the day of my nomination, that it would sharpen our focus on this important issue and ensure its visibility. My work will clearly entail both internal and external aspects. The European Parliament recognised that the ongoing persecution of religious and ethnic groups in the Middle East is also a factor that contributes to mass migration and internal displacement. Therefore, together with the European Commissioner Neven Mimica, who is responsible for International Cooperation and Development, my priority will be to promote practical protection mechanisms for anyone that is persecuted and humanitarian aid for those in need in the most badly-affected areas.

    We will work harder, together with the European Parliament, the European Commission, the EEAS, the Council and our international partners to engage in a permanent dialogue on how the EU can best contribute to the promotion of FoRB in the world. There are already several programmes and instruments to promote human rights in general and of FoRB in particular, such as the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). I will also present a report as part of the ongoing dialogue between the European Commission and churches and religious associations or communities, which is led by the First Vice-President of the Commission Frans Timmermans.

    We are concerned at the rise of violence and threats in particular in Syria, Iraq, the Central African Republic, Iran, Pakistan, India and other countries. We are determined to defend religious freedom as a right to be exercised everywhere and by everyone. In multilateral fora, the EU is focused on consolidating the content of FoRB resolutions, both in the HRC and in the United Nations General Assembly. We also have to work closely with our bilateral partners such as the United States and Canada.

    What is clearly needed is humanitarian aid and work in the field of education and the prevention of radicalisation, in particular among young people. In Irak, in the worst-affected areas, such as the Kurdistan Region, we have to do everything we can to ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered to all civilians and offer equal protection to all ethnic and religious communities. The ongoing battle to liberate Mosul could, according to UN estimates, create up to 1.5 million refugees. We should be prepared for this situation, which could turn into a major humanitarian crisis. Lastly, we have to work on peaceful conflict resolution and interfaith dialogue.

    The European Union adopted its EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy in June 2015 stressing the importance of „ensuring that freedom of religion or belief remains high on the agenda with third countries as well as in multilateral fora“. I hope that you will support our task. I am happy to be here today, and I am confident that we will make it. Despite multiple obstacles and difficulties, we will do what is our moral and ethical duty, because without our concrete action and practical solidarity we would deny our roots and identity. Let me finish then with only one phrase – Wir schaffen das.

    Thank you for your attention.

    Ján Figeľ: Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU

    The article is available here: http://www.euzeitung.de/2016/10/03/eu-and-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-a-new-momentum/