Ján Figeľ

Month: March 2017

  • Mečiarove amnestie by mali zrušiť priamo občania. V referende o ústavnom zákone

    Kedy, ak nie teraz, sa má najvyššia ústavná inštitúcia štátu obrátiť na občanov pri prelomovej otázke korekcie a potvrdenia Slovenskej republiky ako demokratického a právneho štátu?

    Smrť prezidenta Michala Kováča, úspešný film Únos, vyhlásenia expertov a osobností a občianska petícia naštartovali spoločenský pohyb a tlak na zrušenie Mečiarových amnestií, ktorý prináša novú nádej. Protagonisti i doterajší oponenti sa zjednotili pri postoji za ich zrušenie. Výrazný spor a pochybnosti však vyvoláva spôsob, akým sa to má stať.

    Novelizácia ústavy a povinné odoslanie uznesenia o zrušení Mečiarových amnestií na ďalšie posudzovanie pred Ústavný súd (pri jeho súčasnom zložení a zároveň personálnej neúplnosti), niektoré nesystémové články vládneho návrhu, zrýchlené legislatívne konanie a politické náhlenie po desaťročiach odmietania i ďalšie okolnosti však vyvolávajú nielen oprávnené otázniky o skutočnom zámere niektorých navrhovateľov, ale aj o scenároch následného vývoja.

    Špekuláciám sa dá predísť. Existuje cesta k zrušeniu amnestií bez spochybňovania suverenity ústavodarnej moci Národnej rady, bez zbytočného medzičlánku a bez právnej neistoty. Tou cestou je schválenie ústavného zákona o zrušení Mečiarových amnestií spolu s uznesením parlamentu o vyhlásení referenda a jeho následné platné uskutočnenie. Podľa čl. 2 Ústavy SR „štátna moc pochádza od občanov, ktorí ju vykonávajú prostredníctvom svojich volených zástupcov alebo priamo“. Podľa čl. 93 ods. 2 „referendom sa môže rozhodnúť aj o iných dôležitých otázkach verejného záujmu“. (Okrem vstupu do alebo vystúpenia zo štátneho zväzku, keď je referendum povinné.)

    Nastolenie účinnej spravodlivosti a potvrdenie Slovenskej republiky ako demokratického a právneho štátu je jednou z najdôležitejších výziev súčasnosti. Vytvorenie podmienok na to, aby tak urobil najvyšší, nespochybniteľný suverén – občania Slovenskej republiky –, je v záujme celej spoločnosti a ústavných orgánov štátu.

    Vzhľadom na protichodnosť a sčasti aj účelovosť postojov niektorých parlamentných subjektov a na právnicko-politické manévre, ktoré pri tomto návrhu prebiehajú, sa ponúkajú otázky:

    1. Kedy, ak nie teraz, sa má najvyššia ústavná inštitúcia štátu obrátiť na občanov pri prelomovej otázke korekcie a potvrdenia Slovenskej republiky ako demokratického a právneho štátu nielen vo vzťahu k minulosti, ale hlavne smerom do budúcnosti?

    2. Kto iný než občania republiky ako nositelia všetkej moci sa môže záväznejšie vyjadriť a nespochybniteľnejšie rozhodnúť o tejto dôležitej otázke verejného záujmu?

    3. Ako inak než ústavne definovanou a zákonne zrealizovanou formou sa má v tejto záležitosti transparentne a dôveryhodne rozhodnúť?

    Riziko nedostatočnej účasti občanov na ratifikačnom referende považujem za menšie a prijateľnejšie ako všetky riziká vládneho návrhu a špekulatívnych kompromisov. Ak tento postup zrušenie Mečiarových amnestií neprinesie, spoločenská skepsa voči politike nevzrastie natoľko ako v prípade zlyhania ústavných orgánov. Zodpovednosť za vývoj nesie tak či tak celá spoločnosť. Charakter štátu, kvalita demokracie a zameranie politiky sú v rukách občanov, v dobrom aj v zlom. Referendum o zrušení Mečiarových amnestií bude však výnimočným rozhodovaním, na prospech demokracie, odvahy a angažovanosti predovšetkým novej generácie. Náklady späté s ratifikačným referendom budú investíciou do živého vedomia a svedomia spoločnosti. Budú investíciou na posilnenie priamej demokracie a do celospoločenského odmietania beztrestnosti a zneužívania politickej moci.

    Referendum môže byť historickým zlomom v prospech lepšej perspektívy Slovenska tak, ako ním boli voľby v roku 1998, ktoré prišli po štátnych zločinoch a mocenských, protiústavných manipuláciách vrátane zmareného referenda o priamej voľbe prezidenta. Z ovocia tohto občianskeho a politického vzopätia vzišlo nielen naše aktuálne medzinárodné ukotvenie, ale aj demokraticky zrelšie a silnejšie Slovensko. Nádej na úspech oprávnene vzbudzuje aj konsenzus parlamentných strán podporujúcich zrušenie amnestií. Politická zhoda na tom, že Mečiarove amnestie treba zrušiť, sa totiž môže účinne preniesť do podpory v kampani, ako to bolo pri úspešnom referende o vstupe do Európskej únie v roku 2003.

    Ratifikačné hlasovanie občanov o kľúčovom ústavnom zákone parlamentu posilní v ľuďoch vedomie vlastníctva demokracie a základných práv a vplyvu na verejnú moc a spravodlivosť v štáte. A práve to dnes naša krajina veľmi potrebuje.

    Ján Figeľ

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  • European envoy on freedom of religion or belief: Sudanese partners open to dialogue on religious diversity

    Jan Figel, Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the European Union, visited Sudan from the March 14 to 17, 2017

    KHARTOUM, Sudan, March 20, 2017/APO/ —

    Jan Figel, Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the European Union, visited Sudan from the March 14 to 17, 2017. The visit is to support cooperation in intercultural and interreligious dialogue, and to promote freedom of religion or belief and peaceful coexistence of different communities.

    The Envoy called for the pardoning of the two Sudanese pastors, sentenced along with the released Czech Missionary Peter Jašek

    The European Envoy met with members of the National Assembly and the Government including the ministers for Foreign Affairs and  Endowments and Guidance. Figel also met representatives of religious, political and civil society organisations. He gave a lecture at the Ahfad University for Women. He visited the National Human Rights Commission and Council of Islamic Fiqh, Nour Mosque, a Coptic Church and the Sufi ceremony in Omdurman.

    Figel said that the exchanges demonstrated readiness of Sudanese partners to engage in continuous and constructive dialogue on religious diversity in Sudan, Horn of Africa and globally. The Envoy discussed the constitutional amendments and their compliance with international human rights law, highlighting the importance that the legislative framework also reflects these standards. “A fair state must be organized around equal citizenship for all. Diversity enriches while uniformity weakens societies,” said Jan Figel. More…

  • EU envoy asks Sudanese lawmakers about churches demolition

    March 16, 2017 (KHARTOUM) – The European Union Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion Jan Figel has asked Sudanese legislators about the situation of Christians in the country and the demolition of some churches.

    Following the secession of South Sudan in 2011, seven former Sudanese dioceses moved to South Sudan leaving only two dioceses for the small Christian minority mainly in South Kordofan and Khartoum states.

    The visiting European Union envoy Thursday met Sudanese Members of Parliament (MPs) at the National Assembly where he discussed issues related to religious freedom and the situation of Christians particularly.

    According to the Chairman of the Legislation and Justice Committee at the National Assembly, Ahmed al-Tijani, the European envoy during his meeting posed a number of questions about the demolition of some churches.

    Al-Tijani said the MPs told him that the Freedom of belief is sanctioned by the Constitution, and the state does not impose any religious belief or practice on its citizens.More…

  • EU envoy on religious freedom: ‘Indifference, ignorance and fear’ are terror’s greatest allies

    EU envoy on religious freedom: ‘Indifference, ignorance and fear’ are terror’s greatest allies

    To mark his first anniversary in the role as the EU’s inaugural Special Envoy for the Freedom of Religion or Belief Outside the EU, EURACTIV.com interviewed Ján Figeľ about the headscarf ban, Islamist terrorism and growing up Catholic in a communist state.

    Ján Figeľ will also be speaking at EURACTIV’s Freedom of religion and belief beyond the EU borders event later this month.

    The video is available here: http://www.euractiv.com/section/freedom-of-thought/video/tuesday-lunchtime-eu-envoy-on-religious-freedom-mixed-feelings-about-ecj-headscarf-ban/

  • SUDAN: EU ENVOY CALLS FOR PRESIDENTIAL PARDON

    Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) welcomes the call by the European Union (EU) Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the European Union for a presidential pardon for two men who are facing 12 years in prison in Sudan.

    Jan Figel raised the case of Reverend Hassan Abduraheem and Mr Abdulmonem Abdumawla while visiting Sudan from March 14 – 17 to promote freedom of religion or belief, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, peaceful coexistence of communities and better relations between Sudan and the EU.

    Despite their innocence, Reverend Abduraheem and Mr Abdumawla were convicted of assisting EU and Czech national Petr Jašek with espionage, inciting hatred between sects and the propagation of false news. Mr Jašek was pardoned and allowed to leave Sudan last month; however, Reverend Abduraheem and Mr Abdumawla remain in prison. Their case illustrates the politicization of the criminal justice system by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) which, under the pretext of investigating national security crimes, has brought charges against members of the political opposition, human rights defenders and leaders of minority religions, as occurred in the case of Reverends Yat Michael and Peter Reith in 2015.

    During his visit, Mr Figel met with representatives of political, religious and civil society organisations and visited Nour Mosque and a Coptic Church. During a meeting with Sudanese legislators, Mr Figel raised the issue of church demolitions. At present 25 churches in the El Haj Yousif neighbourhood of Khartoum Bahri have been issued with a confiscation and demolition order on their buildings. The order was issued in August 2016, but only three of the 25 churches were notified. A complete list of affected churches was not disclosed until January 2017. The issue has been brought before the Khartoum Bahri Administrative Court which, on 13 March, announced the creation of a judicial committee to consider the case and reach a decision.

    The EU Special Envoy also discussed constitutional amendments and Sudan’s legal framework. The case of Meriam Ibrahim in 2014 highlighted the conflict between Sudan’s constitutional guarantees for freedom of religion or belief and a legal system that classifies apostasy as a criminal offence. The Sudanese parliament strengthened apostasy and blasphemy legislation in 2015, widening the definition of blasphemy and increasing the penalties for apostasy. Months after the amendment were passed, 25 Muslims were charged with apostasy. The case was withdrawn by the Ministry of Justice; however, no amendments have been made to the legislation.

    CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, “We welcome and echo Mr Figel’s call for a presidential pardon for Reverend Abduraheem and Mr Abdumawla. Their continued imprisonment after Mr Jašek, the main defendant in their case, was pardoned and released amounts to an injustice. We also call on Sudan to protect all places of worship, including the 25 churches under threat of demolition. As the EU increases its engagement with Sudan through initiatives such as the Khartoum Process, we urge the EU to ensure that human rights, including freedom of religion or belief, are prioritised in all areas of cooperation.”

    The article is available here: http://www.csw.org.uk/2017/03/22/press/3483/article.htm

  • European envoy on freedom of religion or belief: Sudanese partners open to dialogue on religious diversity

    Jan Figel, Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the European Union, visited Sudan from the March 14 to 17, 2017

    KHARTOUM, Sudan, March 20, 2017/APO/ —

    Jan Figel, Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the European Union, visited Sudan from the March 14 to 17, 2017. The visit is to support cooperation in intercultural and interreligious dialogue, and to promote freedom of religion or belief and peaceful coexistence of different communities.

    The European Envoy met with members of the National Assembly and the Government including the ministers for Foreign Affairs and  Endowments and Guidance. Figel also met representatives of religious, political and civil society organisations. He gave a lecture at the Ahfad University for Women. He visited the National Human Rights Commission and Council of Islamic Fiqh, Nour Mosque, a Coptic Church and the Sufi ceremony in Omdurman.

    Figel said that the exchanges demonstrated readiness of Sudanese partners to engage in continuous and constructive dialogue on religious diversity in Sudan, Horn of Africa and globally. The Envoy discussed the constitutional amendments and their compliance with international human rights law, highlighting the importance that the legislative framework also reflects these standards. “A fair state must be organized around equal citizenship for all. Diversity enriches while uniformity weakens societies,” said Jan Figel.

    More: https://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/european-envoy-on-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-sudanese-partners-open-to-dialogue-on-religious-diversity?lang=en

  • EU envoy asks Sudanese lawmakers about churches demolition

    EU envoy asks Sudanese lawmakers about churches demolition

    March 16, 2017 (KHARTOUM) – The European Union Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion Jan Figel has asked Sudanese legislators about the situation of Christians in the country and the demolition of some churches.

    In the photo: South Sudanese worshippers attend Sunday prayers in Baraka Parish church at Hajj Yusuf, on the outskirts of Khartoum, February 10, 2013 (Reuters)

    Following the secession of South Sudan in 2011, seven former Sudanese dioceses moved to South Sudan leaving only two dioceses for the small Christian minority mainly in South Kordofan and Khartoum states.

    The visiting European Union envoy Thursday met Sudanese Members of Parliament (MPs) at the National Assembly where he discussed issues related to religious freedom and the situation of Christians particularly.

    According to the Chairman of the Legislation and Justice Committee at the National Assembly, Ahmed al-Tijani, the European envoy during his meeting posed a number of questions about the demolition of some churches.

    Al-Tijani said the MPs told him that the Freedom of belief is sanctioned by the Constitution, and the state does not impose any religious belief or practice on its citizens.

    He added that the lawmakers pointed out that the churches have been removed because of a dispute over land ownership, and reaffirmed that some mosques have been demolished for the same reason.

    He pointed out that churches have been established across the Sudan, adding that during religious events and holidays Muslims and Christians exchange congratulations and reach each other, creating an environment of coexistence and tolerance.

    Tijani said that the meeting had been requested by the EU visiting envoy who besides religious freedom discussed also a number of human rights issues.

    Figel, according to the Sudanese legislator, during the meeting touched on the role of women in politics and their representation in the executive and legislative organs in the country.

    Last February, there were reports that Khartoum state authorities decided to demolish 25 churches. However, the decision has been suspended.

    (ST)

    The article is available here: http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article61912

  • Ján Figeľ o amnestiách: Ľudia si zaslúžia spravodlivosť – slušní aj zločinci

    V súčasnej Európe je len jedna krajina, kde vládna moc amnestovala samu seba. Toto bola a je domáca i medzinárodná hanba. Lebo morálny a právny suterén zapácha aj po 20 rokoch.

    ľudia si zaslúžia spravodlivosť – slušní, aj zločinci. Pretože spravodlivý štát prináša perspektívu pokoja, rozvoja a prosperity; a trestá zločiny. V štáte bez spravodlivosti sa šíri zneužívanie moci, prehlbujú sa problémy, rastie chudoba, nespokojnosť, extrémizmus a exodus ľudí do zahraničia. V demokratickej spoločnosti a v právnom štáte sú na presadzovanie vlády zákona efektívne nástroje a zodpovedné uplatňovanie moci. U nás sa, žiaľ, v poslednom desaťročí upevňoval skôr právnický štát. A to je veľký rozdiel!

    „Krv nevinného volá po spravodlivosti!“

    V príbehu zavlečenia syna prezidenta a úkladnej vraždy Róberta Remiáša ide o akty štátneho teroru. Dopustili sa ich nie moslimskí džihádisti či migranti, ale nositelia slovenskej štátnej moci v rokoch 1995 – 1996. A každý, kto pritom argumentuje princípom retroaktivity, je proti uplatneniu spravodlivosti, lebo v tomto príbehu argument neprípustnosti retroaktivity znamená zakrývanie zločinov, zatváranie dverí pred účinnou spravodlivosťou. A krv nevinného volá po spravodlivosti! Nezomrel náhodou – zomrel tragicky a úkladne, na objednávku štátnej moci.

    Povojnový Norimberský tribunál, odsúdenie komunistickej prokurátorky v ČR za zločiny proti ľudskosti pri totalitných monsterprocesoch či vykonávateľov popráv občanov pri úteku cez Berlínsky múr v bývalej NDR potvrdzujú, že moderný demokratický štát sa vie pri zločinoch vyrovnať právnou cestou aj s témou retroaktivity. Je to predovšetkým otázka vôle suveréna, ktorým sú občania, respektíve ich zástupcovia ako ústavodarný orgán. Štát nemôže pod zásterkou žiadnych štátnych záujmov kryť potláčanie ľudského práva. Lebo bezpečnosť a ochrana základných práv vlastných občanov – to je primárny národnoštátny záujem a zodpovednosť. Amnestie prijaté vládou premiéra Mečiara v marci a v júli 1998 neboli v súlade s pozitívnym poslaním práva! Cieľom toho rozhodnutia bolo umlčať spravodlivosť, zviazať jej ruky. Je to bezprávie Slovenskej republiky na vlastných občanoch v záujme „istotných“, teda zločincov alebo pravdepodobných páchateľov zločinov, keďže súd pre amnestie nemohol potvrdiť zákonne vyšetrené a dokázané skutky príslušníkov SIS a PZ SR.

    Odmietanie zrušenia Mečiarových amnestií nás neposúva dopredu, ale naopak – brzdí a oslabuje. Je dôležité, aby pre dnešných a budúcich nositeľov štátnej moci bolo potvrdené, že ani premiér, ani prezident nie sú nad Ústavou a nad zákonmi. Nikto nie je v právnom štáte nad zákonmi. Štátny orgán môže konať len podľa zákona a v medziach Ústavy. A zákonnosť je vymožiteľná a vymáhaná neselektívne. Je rozhodujúce, aby moc slúžila podľa pravdy a práva, nie proti pravde a proti právu.

    Často si spomínam na slová Silva Krčméryho, keď pred komunistickým súdom v r. 1954 povedal: „Vy máte moc, ale my máme pravdu“. Sila postojov väzňov svedomia a svedectvo statočných ľudí, ktorí sa ani pri konflikte s totalitnou mocou nebáli a nevzdávali, nás povzbudzujú. Keď bol Anton Tunega spolu so spoločníkmi z Bielej légie v r. 1951 popravený, mal 25 rokov. Keď môj strýko Ján Figeľ bol v r. 1953 zlikvidovaný Štátnou bezpečnosťou, mal 25 rokov. Keď bol Róbert Remiáš úkladne zavraždený v r. 1996 v súvislosti so zločinom zavlečenia, mal 25 rokov. Boli to mladí ľudia v rozbehu života… Zabudnúť na zabitého znamená druhýkrát ho zabiť. Nesmieme zabúdať na obete zápasu o slobodu a demokraciu. Nemáme tieto vymoženosti zadarmo, stáli veľa obetí. A nikdy nebudú samozrejmosťou. Spravodlivosť je dôležitá viac pre budúcnosť, než pre minulosť. Zabitým už nepomôžeme, ale pre žijúcich, pre mladých a budúce generácie je spravodlivosť rozhodujúca ako kyslík na dýchanie.

    Jedni zločiny páchajú, druhí s nimi kolaborujú, ďalší sú pozorovateľmi. Zodpovední zločinom a krivdám oponujú a odporujú. A iní bez záujmu alebo s obavami prechádzajú okolo. Každý si môže položiť otázku o svojom mieste, o svojej úlohe pri tomto zápase a príbehoch – vtedy, aj dnes. Ľahostajnosť a strach sú súrodencami zla. Spoločnosť, kde je veľa ľahostajnosti a strachu, sa dá ľahko ovládať. Taká krajina bude mať predražené nielen diaľnice, tendre a verejné obstarávania, ale aj náklady na verejnú správu a na celkový rozvoj. Namiesto pravdy v nej dominuje propaganda, namiesto spravodlivosti ideológia, namiesto slobody závislosť od moci. Šíri sa v nej korupcia, upadá školstvo, chorľavie zdravotníctvo. Neoprávnené výhody a istoty beztrestnosti v nej nadobúdajú ľudia blízki vládnucej moci.

    Aj keď je dnes hodnotová politika v menšine, som presvedčený, že nakoniec pravda a spravodlivosť zvíťazia. Ak sa nenájde kvalifikovaná parlamentná väčšina, ktorá ústavným zákonom Mečiarove amnestie zruší, nájde sa a ozve sa občianska väčšina, väčšina slušných, ktorá to tak nenechá. Lebo na spravodlivosti záleží! Nemôžeme nekonať a nemôžeme mlčať vo vlastnom, osobnom záujme. Toto rozhodovanie je totiž viac o budúcnosti než o minulosti Slovenska. Chlieb tým lacnejší nebude, ale spravodlivosti bude viac! A kde je spravodlivosť, tam rastie aj skutočná prosperita.

    Zrušiť Mečiarove amnestie bude pre Slovensko akoby po dlhých rokoch uvoľniť zovreté pľúca a zhlboka sa nadýchnuť pravdy a novej nádeje. Pomôže to posunúť pravdu viac do stredu vzťahov ako svetlo, ako kritérium a cieľ politiky. Lebo pravda je vždy ozdravujúca – oslobodzuje, a je základom spravodlivosti a dôstojného života.

    Dámy poslankyne a páni poslanci, máte znovu kľúč v rukách – otvorte dvere pre pravdu a spravodlivosť! Ten zapáchajúci suterén treba vyčistiť, aby sa v slovenskom dome dalo dobre dýchať a slušne žiť.

    Ján Figeľ

    Predseda Nadácie Antona Tunegu

    Marec 2017

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  • Freedom of Religion or Belief – Discussing an Agenda for Implementation

    Freedom of Religion or Belief – Discussing an Agenda for Implementation

    The EU, together with the Maltese Presidency of the European Council, organised yesterday an event in the margins of the 34th session of the Human Rights Council on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB), entitled “Towards an agenda for implementation”. The panel debate aimed at encouraging a discussion on the recommendations provided in the Special Rapporteur’s latest report related to the guiding framework to implement the right to FORB.

    “Acts of violence and discrimination based on religion or belief, committed in the name of religion or national security, including against persons belonging to minority groups and women, continue to be perpetrated worldwide,” said Ambassador Peter Sørensen, Head of the EU Delegation to the UN in Geneva in his opening remarks. He confirmed the EU’s commitment to pursue and defend FORB as a key priority of EU’s human rights policy. “An understanding of accomplishments in terms of the implementation and enjoyment of FORB, and the persisting challenges and emerging trends, is crucial to the protection and advancement of FORB,” he underlined. He also highlighted the need for an agenda of implementation, and concerted and coordinated efforts by States, non-state actors and the international community to boost its operationalisation at all level.

    Ambassador Olaph Terribile, Permanent Representative of Malta to the UN in Geneva, underlined the importance that Malta attaches to FORB. He referred to persecution based on religion or belief, and underscored Malta’s commitment to those in vulnerable situations, recalling his country’s experience in receiving large numbers of asylum seekers and refugees. He recognised the advancements in thinking on FORB and in addressing minorities’ particular circumstances. “Intolerance must be challenged through dialogue and debate and not through closing the door to foreigners.” He also mentioned the legal reform of blasphemy laws implemented by his country in 2016, which has been seen as a victory for freedom of expression.

    Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, talked about the UN mandate that has played an important part in the protection and promotion of FORB at a global level, and has provided guidance to states in limiting hate speech. He underlined the importance of the mandate in a climate of growing intolerance and increased acts of violence in the name of religion. “While we continue to refine the normative framework on freedom of religion or belief, it is now more urgent than ever for States to implement their obligations in protecting and promoting respect for freedom of religion or belief including through cross boundary collaboration and religious freedom literacy,” he said.

    “Freedom of religion or belief is a litmus test of respect of human dignity and human rights, if it is disregarded other freedoms are also disregarded,” stated Jan Figel, EU Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU. He described FORB as the deepest expression of personal freedom. “FORB is a must, it’s a principle, it’s a value,” he said, underlining the EU’s commitment to defending and promoting this freedom. He also emphasized the EU’s approach of consensus and dialogue. “We cannot impose, but we can propose,” he said.

    Elizabeth O’Casey, Director of Advocacy at the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), encouraged the understanding of FORB as a broader concept, encompassing political and social rights. She stressed the need to better engage with faith leaders and civil society, and to provide a free space for discussion, favouring the use of a secular discourse based on universalist principles. She also highlighted the intersection and interlinkage of FORB with other rights, in particular with the right to freedom of expression: “Freedom of religion or belief is sometimes presented in opposition to freedom of expression – I argue the opposite. The two rights should be pulled together. The manifestation of freedom of religion or belief is impossible without freedom of expression.”

    At the current 34th session of the Human Rights Council the EU is again tabling a resolution on FORB, promoting the freedom of conscience, thought, religion or belief, condemning intolerance, discrimination and violence, including against person belonging to religious minorities around the world. The resolution continues to urge States to step up their efforts to promote and protect this fundamental freedom.

    The article can be found here: https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-geneva/21509/freedom-religion-or-belief-discussing-agenda-implementation_en

  • EU Special Envoy for Religious Freedom Jan Figel: “Europe needs to stand up to help minorities in Iraq

    EU Special Envoy for Religious Freedom Jan Figel: “Europe needs to stand up to help minorities in Iraq

    “Iraq is in an incredibly difficult situation. Minorities especially, were since 2014 abandoned by the central government of Baghdad and also felt abandoned by the Kurdish authorities. They became the victims of a genocide by ISIS,” EU Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion and belief Jan Figel told The European Post.

    Jan Figel is the first EU authority to have visited Iraq after a long time. The mission of the Special Envoy involved various elements: discussions with national political authorities in Baghdad; meetings with provincial political and religious authorities in Najaf and Erbil, Kurdistan.

    Among others, he met with Vice-President of Iraq Al Alawi, the Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, Salim al-Jabouri in Baghdad, with Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim in as well as Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Bashir al-Najafi underlying messages of peace, harmonious cohabitation, reconstruction and reconciliation.

    While in Erbil, Figel met the Prime Minister of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), ​​Nerchevan Barzani, and top religious authorities such as Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphaël Sako, the Archbishops Mirkis of Kirkuk and Warda of Erbil Warda, the Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mosul Nicodemus Sharaf, and other Christian activists – who asked for the EU’s support in providing security via a military presence, and the presence of international observers. Representatives of Yazidis, Kakais, Turkmens, Shabaks, Jews, Bahais and others expressed their desire for more justice and equality in future Iraq. “We want Iraq as a civil state, not a religious one“.

    The EU should exercise more diplomatic pressures on the Iraqi central government regarding security and support activities such as the elimination of landmines in areas retaken from ISIL/Daesh, the Special Envoy said he felt there.

    “Iraq needs to protect and promote positions of depleted minorities . Minorities in Iraq deserve more attention and more support from international community” Figel added.

    “After the liberation of Mosul from ISIS we should speak more about a safe return to their homes and the protection of all citizens, including minorities. What they need most from Baghdad, from regional and local administrations is security. Since the new Iraqi government is in place, no single minister visited Northern Iraq. It’s not only about a safe return but also about recognition of rights, property ownership and giving minorities more self administration instead of bureaucracy, negligence and indifference,” Figel stated.

    During his visit, the Special Envoy referred to the differences between the US and EU approaches. Political and religious leaders in Iraq welcomed the EU’s actions in the country and in the Middle East region. All of them were aware of the major differences between US policy and the EU’s soft power approach.

    For these reasons, Jan Figel noted that “Europe is a credible partner. In Iraq there is a lot of anti-Americanism but there is not anti-Europeanism! Europe should step up its intense, credible and constructive cooperation. I think it’s Europe’s responsibility to help religious and ethnics minorities in Iraq!” he concluded.

    Interview with Jan Figel: “Europe needs to stand up to help minorities in Iraq!”

    See the article at: http://europeanpost.co/eu-special-envoy-for-religious-freedom-jan-figel-europe-needs-to-stand-up-to-help-minorities-in-iraq/