The EU’s special envoy for religious freedom, Jan Figel, believes that Europe needs to “face up” to the numerous cases of discrimination that occur against religious minorities within its own borders.
Speaking at a high-level conference in Brussels, Figel said the upcoming European elections in May was a perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the threat to religious freedom and belief.
“The credibility of the EU and Europe is at stake,” Figel said during his opening address at the Faith and Freedom Summit, a coalition of 18 NGOs which have come together to promote religious tolerance, including in Europe.
Figel said he had personal experience of a society where freedom of speech was frowned upon, saying, “I spent half my life in the Czech Republic under Communism so know all about this issue. Even today, data shows that some 73% of the world’s population lives in countries which have high or very high restrictions or obstacles in place against religious freedom and belief. We must stop these negative trends and reverse the threat that currently exists. It is not just discrimination against minorities that is going on, but persecution and, in some cases, even genocide,” said Figel, who added, “We simply cannot stand by here in Europe and be mere commentators or observers of this.”
Figel outlined some positive developments that have occurred in the last five years including the creation of his own special envoy post in 2016 and the adoption of EU guidelines on religious freedom three years earlier, as well as the creation in the parliament of an intergroup for religious tolerance.
The EU Fundamental Agency on Human Rights was another “vital instrument” in the struggle against restrictions on religious freedoms.
Noting the difference between “Continental Europe” and the wider region covered by the Council of Europe, Figel said that “real problems” still exist in Europe, including in Turkey in the crackdown against the Orthodox Church and also in Russia against Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as numerous cases of anti-Semitism in various EU countries.
“We have got to face up to these problems and tackle them head-on. The aim has to be to raise awareness of what is going on in Europe itself, as well as further afield, and to seek improvements,” said Figel. “We have to realise that we, in Europe, cannot preach to others what they should be doing if we are not credibly tackling these issues within our own borders.
Vatican City, Feb 1, 2019 / 12:00 pm (CNA).- The first ever papal visit to the Arab Gulf marks a “historical breakthrough” according to the European Union’s religious freedom envoy. Pope Francis will travel to the United Arab Emirates to attend the Global Conference of Human Fraternity, which begins February 3.
Jan Figel, the EU special envoy for the promotion of religious freedom, spoke to CNA and said that Pope Francis’ upcoming trip will “deepen the ongoing dialogue and sense of responsibility to the representatives and people of the second major religion.”
The two day conference in Abu Dhabi is being convened by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. It will consist of three themes: principles of human fraternity, common responsibility in achieving human fraternity, and human fraternity – challenges and opportunities.
According to the Emirates News Agency, the conference “will also highlight efforts to reinforce the overarching concept of citizenship and ethnic extremism.”
Figel said that the conference, which brings together different religious and societal leaders, had great potential.
“When trusted leaders show their example and commitment for human brotherhood, this is the great contribution to peaceful coexistence in diversity,” he said.
Figel has held the post of EU envoy for religious freedom since it was created in May, 2016, shortly after the conferral of the Charlemagne Prize on Pope Francis.
He told CNA that “acting in the spirit of brotherhood, as requested from all of us by the 70 year-old Universal Declaration of Human Rights, should be visible especially among those who claim one God – Creator and Father of all.”
Figel highlighted developments in the wider Muslim world to advance peace and religious tolerance, recounting a similar conference in the UAE in December 2016, the World Conference on Peace in Muslim Societies.
“That conference was oriented on understanding of civil state based on equal citizenship, pluralism and fair treatment of religious minorities in the spirit of the Marrakesh Declaration adopted by Islamic leaders and scholars”.
The Marrakech declaration was a Jan. 2015 statement signed by more than 250 Muslim religious leaders, heads of state, and scholars aimed at “defending the rights of religious minorities in predominantly Muslim countries.”
Figel said that “this process continues. There are countries showing efforts to stop frequent misuse of Islam by terrorist groups for their interests.”
In January of this year, the Islamabad declaration was signed by 500 muslim scholars during a gathering of the Pakistani Ulema Council. That declaration proclaimed 2019 as “a year to annihilate terrorism, extremism and sectarianism from Pakistan,” and condemns murder “under the pretext of religious belief.”
“Victims of the violent extremism are not only vulnerable minorities, but opposing peaceful Muslim communities as well,” Figel noted.
“After terrorist attacks on 9/11 of 2001, after Beslan massacre in Chechnya in 2004 and especially after rise of brutal movement of ISIS/Daesh since 2014 and other militant groups of Islamists there is an ongoing quest by numerous Muslim scholars, religious and political leaders for the elimination of frequent abuse of Islam by various groups in pursuit of their power and interests,” Figel said.
According to the EU envoy, Pope Francis’ attendance at next week’s summit will deepen the ongoing dialogue and sense of responsibility and bring a “message of care and support to Christian communities living in the region.”
“On one side we see rise of religious diversity, on the other spread of religious illiteracy. We observe promotion of secular ideologies by some regimes, on the other a number of religious states with growing social intolerance and discrimination against minorities.”
In his capacity as religious freedom envoy, Figel has undertaken official missions to 13 countries in the Middle East, Africa and South-East Asia. His office has contributed to to the release of groups of prisoners in Sudan and Pakistan, worked on special programmes for reconciliation and reconstruction in Iraq, and on interfaith cooperation in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Malaysia and other countries.
He said we was encouraged to see the creation of diplomatic roles for advancing religious freedom by several sovereign states in recent years. Since 2016, religious freedom envoys have been created by countries including Hungary, Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
The United States has had an ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom since 1999.
“Religious freedom represents actually freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief. It is important for believers and non-believers,” Figel said. “It is a litmus test of all human rights.”
“I encourage companies, businesses, to promote religious freedom and diversity at the workplace”, says the EU Special Envoy for the promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief.
BRUSSELS · 18 DECEMBER 2018 · 11:20 CET
Ján Figel, the Special Envoy for the promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the European Union. / Don Zeeman
Earlier this year, Ján Figel began his third mandate as Special Envoy for the promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) outside the European Union.
In a way this sounds more impressive than it is. Not because of Ján Figel, but because of the limited role that was given to the envoy in first instance. Up until now the consecutive mandates have been only for one year each, and the the Special Envoy has to work with limited resources.
Nevertheless, appointing someone with the specific task to work on Freedom of Religion or Belief in the EU was an important step. It showed the willingness of the European Parliament to get involved in matters of religious freedom worldwide. A SLOVAKIAN WITH LONG EXPERIENCE IN EUROPE Choosing someone with the capacities of Ján Figel was also remarkable. In his homeland Slovakia he served as the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On an European level, Figel was Commissioner for Education, Training & Culture. He is therefore very familiar with the European institutions and he knows his way around in the Brussels offices.
Still, it was not easy to defend his new position in relationship with other agencies, like the External Action Service (EAS). Also, the mandate had potential conflicting interests with the EU Special Representative for Human Rights. Question. Mr. Figel, what is your impression of the last years?
Answer. The first year was exploratory, during the second we could start working on our priorities, networking and real missions. I visited several difficult territories like Iran, Sudan, but also Pakistan. We have started either new projects or new approaches for the sake of persecuted minorities.
A. It is the litmus test of human rights. When we handle these issues in the world, we have to realize that religion is not the problem, it is part of the solution. In differences it is wise to know each other. We have to understand the world as a mosaic: we have to see the important as a whole, but each separate part has also its importance. We are all equal and to understand this, is to understand the world, is to understand creation, is to understand our humankind. And those who understand can really work to a better world. EXISTING IN DIVERSITY VERSUS LIVING IN DIVERSITY
In its origin, the European Union (‘the Common Market’) was an economical co-operation. The influence of the EU in this area is still very big, worldwide. The GSP, the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (which allows vulnerable developing countries to pay fewer or no duties on exports to the EU) is an important tool to approach human rights and the freedom of religion. When negotiating with countries hoping for financial benefits, these should be related to the status of human rights.
A. It makes a lot of difference, a lot of potential influence in our relations and policies. I was refused twice before I could visit Pakistan. My first visit generated a second, showing unexpected openness by religious leaders and state figures to speak about and to work on pluralism. That is a very important objective, not only for Pakistan. All human rights activists whom I met during my visit agreed that the GSP is a human rights mechanism which can deliver a real progress in this area.
THE ROLE OF BUSINESSES
Financial interests can be used as a means of pressure. Promoting religious freedom is not only a specific task for church leaders or politicians. Ján Figel sees possibilities for trade partners as well.
A. I would like to encourage companies, businesses, to promote religious freedom and diversity at the workplace. That is very important for the people in the company, but also for the world we are living in. My message was and is: we need to live in diversity, not only exist in diversity. This is a noble responsibility since we are all different. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
A. I like to mention last year’s meeting between two top leaders of two major religious communities: Pope Francis and the Grand Mufti of Al-Azhar, in june 2017 in Cairo. This was a historical event in times of growing divisions, hatred, radicalization and genocide. Nowadays people don’t read much documents and don’t follow texts like encyclicals or fatwas, but they see the pictures and hear the messages of their religious leaders and they see them work together in a spirit of brotherhood. That is very important, that is encouraging.
Q. What are the greatest threats in advocacy?
A. The worst allies of evil are three: indifference, ignorance and fear. If we don’t care, if we don’t know or if we are scared. We have to tackle this with opposite: engagement, education and courage. Real courage is one of the most important ingredients for freedom to survive. A STRONGER MANDATE
The appointment of a Special Envoy was originally one of the main goals of the FoRB Intergroup, a group of like-minded MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) dedicated to the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU. Today, the Intergroup is hoping to see a further development of the position of the Special Envoy. In their opinion, the mandate should become the central focus for the EU’s external policies in regard of the role of religion or belief and religious and belief organisations in third countries.
The Intergroup also wants to see a better co-operation between the Special Envoy and the Special Representative on Human Rights, in a way that they can strengthen each other.
A. I hope that after 2019, when the elections will be held, we will see a strong political legacy for the next five years. It is a bit sensitive to say this from my site, but it is important to institutionalise the role of the special envoy. My role is more visible now, there is trust between institutions like the Commission and EAS as well as in the Parliament. There is growing support for continuity. However, this is not about Ján Figel, but about the European Union which cares or not, which continues in better conditions to promote freedom of religion or belief for everyone, everywhere. It cannot remain on the basis of an annual mandate, but it should be better structured, more anchored for the sake of institutional co-operation and for the sake of those who suffer. We can and we should help them.
The fragile status of the EU’s special envoy on religious freedom is an unlikely topic of conjecture in the months leading up to next May’s European elections.
On 6 December, European Parliament members called on the European Commission and EU member states to ‘institutionalise’ the special envoy’s mandate in a report drafted by Polish centre-right MEP Andrzej Grzyb, adopted by the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs committee.
Jan Figel, a former EU education and culture commissioner, was appointed in May 2016 when the post was created by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and his mandate has since been extended twice for an additional year. Critics say that a one year term is too short to pursue any strategic plan.
In their report, MEPs said that Figel had “developed effective working networks” within the EU institutions and praised him for “continuous engagement and co-operation and complementarity of actions with the EU Special Representative for Human Rights.”
But they added that the Special Envoy’s role needed to be substantially beefed up. The new remit should include extending the Special Envoy’s term to match that of the Commission’s five-year term, and “consolidated with sufficient human and financial resources”.
The setting up of a “regular advisory working group of member states’ FoRB institutions and European Parliament representatives together with experts, scholars, and representatives of civil society, including churches and other faith-based organisations”.
Nor does Figel have a budget and formal status in the EU institutions beyond serving as a special advisor to the EU’s development commissioner Neven Mimica. His staffing budget covers one assistant, which is less than the recently created German Government Commissioner for Global Freedom of Religion.
Campaigners argue that freedom of religion or belief is not given the importance it deserves in the EU institutions.
ADF’s Adina Portaru has argued that the role of the special envoy and the EU’s Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief, drafted in 2013, “need to be developed further if the EU wants to become a leader in protecting the human right of religious freedom”.
At an event in the European Parliament hosted by ADF International on 28 November to mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Pasquale Annicchino, Senior Research Associate at the Cambridge Institute on Religion, spoke about the need to strengthen Figel’s mandate.
He complained that Federica Mogherini, the EU’s High Representative on Foreign Affairs, had been silent in the case of Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christian woman who was freed in November after eight years on death row for having allegedly committed blasphemy. That was despite the fact that European Parliament President Antonio Tajani had been publicly supportive of Bibi, and her plans to seek asylum in Europe.
But it is not just at EU level that demands for greater advocacy on religious freedom and belief are gaining traction. Germany, the UK and Denmark have all appointed their own Special Envoys or Commissioners on Freedom of Religion or Belief this year.
On Thursday (13 December), the Faith and Freedom Summit, a coalition of faith-based and non-faith-based NGOs, launched a call to all MEPs and Spitzenkandidats to sign a pledge to “uphold and defend the freedom of conscience and religion of all individuals by rejecting and speaking out against bigotry, discrimination, harassment and violence; and so build a more equitable society for all.”
“There is evidently higher awareness of importance of religious freedom. Special political positions, diplomatic agendas and supportive projects devoted to the situation of religious or belief minorities have been established during the last years in Denmark, Germany, United Kingdom, Hungary, Poland, Italy. There was the first ever Ministerial Summit on Advancement of Religious Freedom organized by the US State Department. There is also strong support in the European Parliament to institutionalize role of the EU Special Envoy for future, with stronger mandate and better working conditions. All these changes are encouraging.”
Ján Figeľ
Interview by Danka Jaceckova to Jan Figel, EU Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion and belief outside the EU
Q: You’ve been appointed the EU’s first special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion and belief outside the EU more than two years ago. How would you evaluate this time? Has the situation of religious freedom changed over time?
A: My nomination in June 2016 was a reaction of President Juncker, European Commission and the European Parliament to the genocidal atrocities of Christians, Yezidis and other religious and ethnic minorities in the Middle Eastcommitted by the ISIS terrorists. War in Iraq is over and we need to work on reconciliation and reconstruction. The most difficult years of war in Syria are gone as well and country hopefully will achieve peace soon. Millions of refugees need to get back home. Mass atrocities against Rohingia Muslims have been committed by military in Myanmar over 2017 and more than 700 thousand of persecuted people fled to Bangladesh.
Q: Statistical figures show that 79% of the world population live in countries with forms of high restrictions to religious freedom. It’s a very high number… What are the most critical aspects and which population segments are more at risk at global level?
A: Yes, situation is appalling and the trends are worrying. Basically, we can speak about levels of religious intolerance, discrimination and persecution. Believers in anti-religious states are persecuted comprehensively. Minorities in many states suffer from either governmental harassment or social hostility or militant non-state actors. They are discriminated in access to education, employment, public offices, property, etc. 13 countries in the world apply death penalty for atheism, 22 countries for conversion, over 70 countries have blasphemy laws.
We see violent extremism nurtured by Islamic terrorism, Hindu or Buddhist nationalism, but also by atheist etatism or ideological secularism. And the most inhuman treatment of minorities is genocide; unfortunately it is not only historical or theoretical threat, but visible failure to protect vulnerable groups in the current times. Century of genocides appeals to our conscience and our responsibility to make a positive difference for the future of humanity.
Q: How can the three great monotheistic religions – Islam, Judaism, and, naturally, Christianity – join forces to ensure religious freedom? Which are the most critical problems for these religions, do they share them or do these problems differ?
A: If there is a minority persecuted within the country, then other minorities are under this threat as well. Take examples from Middle East, North Africa or South-East Asia. We all are minorities sometime somewhere. Therefore it is important to treat minorities fairly, not according quantity but according equality, within good governance, as social components and communities. For all people – secular or religious – there is strong invitation to act towards one another “in the spirit of brotherhood”. This is wording of the First Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Three monotheistic religions should show positive example. They have crucial role to promote justice and peace especially in the Middle East, in their cultural cradle and the Holy Land. It took very long time – centuries to see major Christian leader – pope Paul VI. to enter synagogue, and John Paul II. to enter mosque. Last year pope Francis and supreme Sunni Islamic authority Grand Mufti of Al Ahzar have met in Cairo. People generally do not know encyclicals or fatwas, but they get messages and images through media. We need more of it to show that we are “brothers in faith or in humanity” as Muslim scholars like to quote. Populations of Christianity, Jewry and Islam represent over 55 % of global populations. When majority of the world will act for better world, it can be achieved.
But we must work for religious freedom and respect in diversity, dialogue and cooperation, acting against abuse of religious differences. Leaders and faith communities have their share of “religious social responsibility” for peace, justice and sustainable development to prevail.
Q: You’ve been drawing EU attention on serious problems in the area of religious freedom. In your role, which tools and human resources can you count on for concrete intervention?
A: My engagement in this role is a pioneering mission. I struggle to communicate, open doors, minds and hearts and to cooperate with those who are willing to cooperate with the EU. I do not teach, preach, blame, but I try to understand the situation, roots of problems and to find effective solutions. When we find common language and common ground, then there is a chance to define also a common interest and aims. And in their core there is common good.
I do not have strong competences or budget, but I rely on trust and support of the European Commission and the EU diplomacy. For the human rights support including religious freedom protection the financial instrument EIDHR (European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights) with the budget of 1.4 bn EUR is used. It serves for projects where for the first time we support also interreligious and intercultural dialogue as a prevention of violent extremism. For the first time in 25 years of its existence the Lorenzo Natali Media Prize was given for professional and amateur journalism for reporting on freedom of conviction and cooperation between religious communities. There is growing support in the EP for institutionalization of the Special Envoy mandate and for personal empowerment and budgetary strengthening of the office.
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenge for the future in this sense? How can an ordinary EU citizen contribute to the solution of the situation in this matter?
A: FoRB as we say (freedom of religion or belief) is a civilizational criterion. It is a litmus test of all human rights. And respect of human rights is modern base of justice and international law. Peace and sustainable development are fruits of justice. Therefore we have to care more for freedom of religion and conscience in the world, because it reflects human dignity and promotes good governance. When we show our reasonable and timely solidarity with those who suffer, we are preserving humanity and working against hatred and violence. We need smart people more than smart phones. It means in the globalized world full of diversity we have to learn also religious literacy next to digital one. Defending and assisting persecuted communities we address roots of refugee crisis, too. And we reconfirm our identity as well, because our memory and identity are linked together.
I use to warn my audiences, media or university students from three influential and important phenomena. These are indifference, ignorance and fear. They are present when we do not care, when we do not know and we are afraid to say or to do something to help the helpless or defenceless people. These are siblings of evil.
The EU should facilitate peace and justice in conflict zones, defend humanity and provide responsible solidarity in the current world. There is a need, in many regions this role is explicitly demanded. I never met real anti-EU mood in different countries. Each EU citizen can do something – to speak up, share a prayer, care about the people in need, contribute a collection, send some material help, demand politicians to act responsibly or to elect soon a better representation.
Q: How do you perceive this situation as an ordinary person, not as a Special Envoy?
A: An ancestor bearing the same name Ján Figeľ, my uncle, was liquidated by state power in his 26 years during the communist regime. This deeply influenced life of our family. Fall of communism in Czechoslovakia has started by the peaceful prayer manifestation in Bratislava in March 1988 which was brutally oppressed. But after a year and half in November 1989 this regime collapsed. Our freedom is very precious and it calls upon us to show responsibility and active solidarity with the people who do not enjoy freedom. My problems are by far smaller when I see crosses and suffering of others. Just have a look at the fates of Asia Bibi and many Christians, Ahmadis, Sikhs, Hindus in Pakistan, to see persecution North Korea, Somalia, Afghanistan, Eritrea and elsewhere. Europe is losing its memory of the battles with totalitarian ideologies, many people flirts with extremism as with an acceptable solution of our current problems.
My experience proves that it makes sense to struggle for freedom in every situation and in every time. Freedom is great value. Eight years ago I helped to save Cuban dissident Alfredo Battista from death in jail. Later it was life of Yousuf Nadarkhani in Iran who was sentenced to death for his conversion from Islam to Christianity. Last year I had possibility to contribute to release of several prisoners of conscience in Sudan, Czech activist Petr Jašek and human rights defender Ibrahim Mudawi among them. These and other results are encouraging. It always makes sense to fight for justice, to defend the powerless, and to be not afraid.
The former European Commissioner serves as Special Envoy for the promotion of the freedom of religion or belief outside the EU. He illustrated to SIR the tragic situation in many Countries today. “We need a criterion to measure the degree of our civilization, namely a human rights litmus test. Through reasonable, timely tokens of solidarity with those who suffer we preserve our humanity and we act against violence and hatred”
At the end of Spring 2016 the European Commission created the function of the Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU. We spoke about this assignment after two years with the First Special Envoy Ján Figeľ, former European Commissioner and Slovakian minister in his Country. An overview of the most critical areas in the world in terms of religious freedom, delving into the persecution of religious minorities, in the possibilities of improvement of the situation and the major challenges connected to this area.
What situations did you find with regard to religious freedom, since your appointment? What is the situation today?
My appointment was a reaction to the genocides and the heinous crimes committed against Christians, Yazidi and other religious and minority groups in the Middle East committed by ISIS terrorists. The war in Iraq is over and now we must work on reconciliation and reconstruction. Even the most difficult years of war in Syria are finally over and it is hoped that the Country will achieve full pacification. But there are millions of refugees that need to return to their homes. The military in Myanmar committed mass atrocities against the Rohingya minority in 2017 and over 700 thousand persecuted people have fled to Bangladesh. On the whole we see increased awareness of the importance of religious freedom. Over the past years many Countries – such as Denmark, Germany, United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy and Poland – have taken political stances, launched diplomatic projects and dedicated programs for support to religious minority groups.
Statistical figures show that 79% of the world population live in Countries with some form of restriction to religious freedom. It’s a very high number… What are the most critical aspects and which population brackets are more at risk at global level?
The situation is terrible and the projected trends are reason for concern. Basically, we face religious intolerance, discrimination and persecution at all possible levels. Believers are persecuted in many regions of the world. In many States minority groups are victims of social hostility, oppression perpetrated by Government agencies or by non-State activists. They face discrimination in accessing education, employment, in public offices, in their ownership rights. At global level, 13 Countries apply the death penalty for atheism, 22 Countries for conversion and over 70 Countries have laws that punish blasphemy. We see forms of violent extremism fuelled by Islamic terrorism, by Hindu or Buddhist nationalism, as well as by State atheism or ideological laicism. The dramatically inhuman treatment of minority groups is a form of genocide. Unfortunately it does not consist in a historical or theoretical threat but in the evident inability to protect vulnerable groups. The century of genocides questions our consciences and our responsibility consists in producing a positive difference for the future of humanity.
In our present times, what is the meaning of the freedom of belief?
Freedom of religious or belief is a criterion of civilization. It’s the litmus test of all human rights. Through reasonable, timely tokens of solidarity with those who suffer we preserve our humanity and we act against violence and hatred.
Rather than intelligent phones we need intelligent people! This means that in a globalized world that is rich in diversity we must learn religious literacy along with digital skills. When we defend or support persecuted communities we are also addressing the roots of the refugee crisis. And at the same time we are reconfirming our identity, for our memory and our identity are closely interconnected.
How can the three great monotheistic religions – Islam, Judaism, and, naturally, Christianity- join forces to ensure religious freedom?
If a minority is persecuted in a given Country, all other minority groups will be exposed to the same threat. We see many examples of this in the Middle East, in North Africa or in South-East Asia. We are all minorities somewhere and sometimes. Thus minorities must be treated equally and on the basis of equality. Everyone – lay people and religious alike – is the recipient of an urgent appeal to act towards one another in a neighbourly manner. The three monotheistic religions should set the example. They play a crucial role in the promotion of justice and peace, especially in the Middle East, the cradle of their culture. It took time before the great Christian leader, Pope Paul VI, set foot in a synagogue, and before John Paul II crossed the threshold of a mosque. Last year Pope Francis and the highest authority in Sunni Islam, the Grand Mufti of Al Ahzar, met in Cairo. Christian, Jewish and Muslim believers represent over 55% of the world population. When the majority of the world population will take action for a better world it will be possible to achieve this goal!
Religious leaders and faith communities have their share of “social religious responsibility” to allow peace, justice and sustainable development to prevail.
You have been drawing EU attention on serious problems in the area of religious freedom. In your role, which tools and human resources can you count on for concrete intervention?
My commitment in this role corresponds to a pioneering mission. I work to promote communication, to open doors, minds and hearts and to work with all those who are willing to cooperate with the EU. I don’t give lessons, I don’t preach, I don’t accuse. I try to understand the situation as it is, the root causes of the problems, and to find successful solutions. When we identify a common language and common grounds then it’s possible to identify also common interests and goals. Deep down, everyone believes in the existence of common good. I don’t have special skills or a rich budget. I rely on the trust and the support of the European Commission, and on the diplomatic action of the EU. The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights is a dedicated tool to support projects in the area of human rights, including the defence of religious freedom, with a budget of €1.4 billion. For the first time, support measures are extended to interreligious and intercultural dialogue as a form of prevention of violent forms of extremism.
In the European Parliament there is growing support to institutionalize the mandate of the Special Envoy, to strengthen personal skills and increase the amount of funding allocated to this function.
2018 Annual Symposium – The 25th Annual International Law and Religion Symposium of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS) at the J. Reuben Clark Law School of Brigham Young University
First Plenary Session: Protection of International Religious Freedom and Human Dignity
Brett G. Scharffs Director, International Center for Law and Religion Studies, and Rex E. Lee Chair and Professor of Law, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University
Simona Cruciani Political Affairs Officer, United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect
Ján Figeľ Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief Outside the European Union, European Commission
Giuliana Natale Director, Office of Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion
Michael Suhr Ambassador/Special Representative for Religious Freedom or Belief, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Michael K. Young President, Texas A&M University; Former Chair, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)
The European Union needs to develop an overarching religious freedom policy strategy, and strengthening the mandate of the Special Envoy is an important step towards this, writes CSW’s Amy Shepherd for Brussels-based news site The European Post.
The position of the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) outside the EU was created in May 2016. Since then the Slovak politician Ján Figeľ has not only used his role to represent the EU in its engagement with religious freedom as a human right, he has also “valuably affirmed and encouraged people worldwide working to protect and defend FoRB in challenging country contexts”, says Shepherd, CSW’s EU Advocacy Manager.
She says Figeľ has set a standard for EU Member States to follow, despite limited resources and little guidance.
Since the beginning of this year both Denmark and the UK have created positions within their governments dedicated to FoRB.
At the start of Figeľ’s one-year tenure, in September 2016, Volker Kauder, parliamentary group leader for Angela Merkel’s conservative Christian Democratic Union of Germany Party, bemoaned the fact that the Special Envoy could give only two days a month to the role and had only one assistant. As World Watch Monitor reported, Kauder promised he would try to change this.
Two years later the draft resolution currently under consideration by the EU Committee on Foreign Affairs calls for a strengthening of Figeľ’s mandate and capacity “by earmarking funding and human resources adequate to the Envoy’s duties, developing a systemic institutionalisation of working networks established by the Special Envoy within all relevant EU institutions or establishing the position of the EU Special Representative for FoRB”.
It also suggests the setting up of a “regular advisory working group of Member States’ FoRB institutions and European Parliament representatives together with experts, scholars, and representatives of civil society, including churches and other faith-based organisations”.
“To be fully effective, the Special Envoy role needs to be more holistically integrated into EU human rights policy structures,” says Shepherd.
Shepherd’s article echoes the views of the Members of the European Parliament Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief, who said two weeks ago that the Special Envoy’s position should be strengthened and that he should play a more visible and central role in the EU’s external relations.
Bratislava/Brussels, September 13 (TASR) – Where religious freedom is not respected, not only manifestations of intolerance and discrimination can be seen but very often there is also persecution and even annihilation that international law calls genocide, EU’s Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the Union said on Tuesday in an interview with TASR.
Figel further said that his role and at the same time the role of the European Union is to protect and promote this freedom at present.
“Religious freedom is now rather a minority phenomenon in the world, which means that a clear majority of people live in countries where there are major obstacles to religious freedom. Such a population amounts up to 79 percent according to expert summaries. The development is negative, and the trend is an increase in the number of conflicts or countries where religious persecution occurs, and this condition and developmen
t needs to be changed for the better,” he said.
At present, MEPs are holding talks about strengthening Jan Figel’s mandate. Within these changes, they also propose that he be strengthened from the level of a special envoy to a special representative, which already means a tie to the member states represented in the Council of the EU.
Figel went on to say that at the start of his mandate, he was confronted with misunderstandings and aloofness, but according to him, this is already changing.
One of the challenges was his visit to Sudan where he undertook several diplomatic talks about the release of Czech missionary Petr Jasek. “I’m grateful that we have EU leaders who are willing to fight for persecuted Christians, make efforts and travel to the places where they are,” Petr Jasek told TASR commenting on his release. Thanks to the above-mentioned diplomatic activities, eight Sudanese activists were released too.
After the Middle East, Southeast Asia is another important regional priority for Figel, who says that it is experiencing a growing trend of radicalism, radicalisation, violent extremism and violation of freedom of conscience. “The greatest problems today are in Myanmar, where brutal crimes against humanity, up to the manifestations of genocidal persecution of Muslim Rohingya, have been committed. This must be terminated not only in terms of persecution, but also in the setting up of justice that is a prerequisite for a return of refugees from Bangladesh,” he said.
