Month: November 2018

  • Ján Figeľ v relácii Duchovné horizonty

    Ján Figeľ v relácii Duchovné horizonty

    Rozhovor Andrey Eliášovej s Jánom Figeľom v RTVS 25.11.2018.

    Z archívu RTVS: https://www.rtvs.sk/radio/archiv/11379/1030883

  • Počet prenasledovaných ľudí vo svete pre svoju vieru rastie

    Počet prenasledovaných ľudí vo svete pre svoju vieru rastie

    Osobitný veľvyslanec EÚ pre podporu slobody náboženstva alebo viery mimo EÚ Ján Figeľ vysvetlil, že náboženská sloboda je expanzívne ľudské právo.

    Bratislava 23. novembra (TASR) – Počet prenasledovaných ľudí pre svoju vieru rastie. Vyplýva to zo Správy o stave náboženskej slobody vo svete, ktorú v piatok predstavili v Bratislave. Správu pripravila pápežská nadácia ACN – Pomoc trpiacej Cirkvi. Podľa zástupkyne nadácie ACN pri EÚ a OSN Marcely Szymanski sú dôvodom zhoršenej situácie aj represie zo strany vlád. Upozorňuje, že náboženská sloboda je úzko prepojená so slobodou prejavu, zhromažďovania či pohybu. Správu o náboženskej slobode vytvárajú každé dva roky. Podľa Szymanski sa situácia v tejto oblasti zhoršuje. “Vo všeobecnosti vidíme represie zo strany vlád, v minulosti to boli teroristické skupiny. Máme tu napríklad vlády, ktoré prijali rozhodnutie o tom, že národné náboženstvo je len jedno, a to treba rešpektovať. Tým sa zatláčajú iné náboženstvá. Napríklad v Číne a Indii sa práve takýmito rozhodnutiami vrátili o storočie späť,” priblížila Szymanski. Poukázala tiež na to, že jednotlivé slobody sú prepojené. “Ide o prípady, keď sa niektorí ľudia nemôžu vyjadrovať k určitým veciam, lebo budú vyhlásené za nenávistné prejavy. Máme prípady, že ľudia nemôžu nosiť kríž, navštevovať určité miesta, ísť na púť, je to potom napojené napríklad na slobodu pohybu,” uviedla. Osobitný veľvyslanec EÚ pre podporu slobody náboženstva alebo viery mimo EÚ Ján Figeľ vysvetlil, že náboženská sloboda je expanzívne ľudské právo. “Tam, kde táto sloboda je rešpektovaná, sú rešpektované aj občianske slobody,” uviedol. Trend je podľa neho negatívny.”Pribúda režimov, ktoré vytvárajú diskrimináciu, dnes najčastejšie na báze ultranacionalizmu, alebo pribúda sociálneho násilia na občianskej úrovni, ktorú štát nedokáže regulovať,” vysvetlil. Je preto podľa neho potrebné dvíhať vo svete povedomie o tom, čo sa deje. Ocenil zámer Výboru Národnej rady SR pre ľudské práva a národnostné menšiny, ktorý má vytvoriť komisiu pre ochranu prenasledovaných pre náboženské presvedčenie. Je to podľa neho krok k tomu, aby bolo Slovensko v tejto oblasti aktívnejšie. Správa o stave náboženskej slobody bola na Slovensku predstavená po prvýkrát. Je v nej zmapovaný stav náboženskej slobody v 196 krajinách v období rokov 2016 až 2018. V 38 krajinách zistili vážne porušovanie náboženskej slobody, z ktorých sa v 18 krajinách situácia zhoršila. Okrem Číny a Indie sa situácia zhoršila napríklad aj v Rusku a Kirgizsku. Tieto krajiny boli po prvýkrát označené ako diskriminované v oblasti náboženskej slobody. Predstavenie správy bolo organizované v rámci Týždňa pomoci prenasledovaným kresťanom.

    Prebraté z TERAZ.sk : https://www.teraz.sk/slovensko/pocet-prenasledovanych-ludi-vo-svete/362992-clanok.html

  • EU Special Envoy for religious freedom should get a stronger mandate

    EU Special Envoy for religious freedom should get a stronger mandate

    “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.

    http://europeanpost.co/euspecialenvoy/

  • Tak biedne pomery, aké vídavam vo svete, si naša mládež nevie predstaviť

    Tak biedne pomery, aké vídavam vo svete, si naša mládež nevie predstaviť

    Veľa cestujete, nedávno ste sa vrátili z Burkina Faso, pred tým ste boli v Libanone. Na základe čoho si tieto krajiny vyberáte a čo je Vašou úlohou, keď ich navštívite?

    Na návštevu ma pozval prezident Burkina Faso Roch Kaboré v júni. Pred rokom som v tomto regióne Sahelu navštívil Senegal. Tieto krajiny sú ekonomicky chudobné, ale ich bohatstvom je tradícia spolužitia v rozmanitosti a v porozumení. Mojou úlohou je zmapovať situáciu z pohľadu náboženskej slobody ako predpokladu udržateľného rozvoja. Následne predkladám Európskej komisii a diplomacii odporúčania na konkrétne opatrenia, nové projekty a zacielenie programov EÚ v týchto krajinách. Osobne sa zapájam do podpory medzináboženského dialógu a spolupráce komunít, aby sa prekonávali konflikty a vytvárala súdržná spoločnosť. Vo februári bude v hlavnom meste Ouagadogou celoafrický filmový a televízny festival FESPACO, ktorý je zameraný na dialóg rôznych kultúr. Už teraz ma naň organizátori pozvali.

    Ako riešiť prudký nárast extrémizmu v takejto chudobnej krajine, kde vôbec majú začať?

    Násilie sem prichádza spoza hraníc, hlavne z Mali a Nigeru. Je podporované aj exportom radikálneho islamu z krajín Arabského polostrova, pričom chudoba, nedostatok ekonomickej perspektívy a generačné problémy vytvárajú živnú pôdu pre radikalizáciu a násilný extrémizmus. Štát musí konať – chrániť obyvateľov a trestať zločincov. Spravodlivosť musí prevládnuť nad terorizmom. Riešením je intenzívnejší rozvoj hospodárstva a spoločnosti. To znamená budovanie ciest, dostupnosť vzdelávania a rast zamestnanosti. Európska únia pri tom pomáha Burkine aj finančne, v tomto roku v objeme 220 mil. eur. Kým inde riešime prepustenie väzňov, tu sme sa dohodli na novej, účinnejšej forme dialógu s predstaviteľmi náboženských a občianskych spoločenstiev, aby sme tým zmenšovali priestor pre násilný extrémizmus a intoleranciu.

    Aké problémy tam pociťujú domáci, deti, učitelia? Dá sa s tým niečo z Vašej pozície robiť?

    Naša mládež si snáď ani nevie predstaviť tak biedne pomery, kde sa v oplechovanom priestore a v horúčave tiesni aj 90 detí. A to je v hlavnom meste Ouagadogou. Kompetencie a učitelia pre praktické uplatnenie chýbajú. Tu vidím najväčšie výzvy, lebo výchova a vzdelávanie je najsilnejším nástrojom na zmenu spoločnosti. Aj preto teroristi útočia na školy, na výstrahu zabijú riaditeľa alebo pár učiteľov. Dal som po návrate odporúčanie Európskej komisii, aby sme viac pomáhali školstvu v tejto krajine na všetkých úrovniach, lebo bez dostupnosti relevantného vzdelávania sa krajina nepozdvihne.

    Nie je, čo sa týka Vášho zdravia, mimoriadne náročné cestovať po svete do rôznych krajín? Podstupujete ešte liečbu?

    Moje zdravotné výsledky sa od minulého leta zlepšili, nastal pozitívny posun. Som aj naďalej pacientom NOÚ v Bratislave. Zmenil som životosprávu, pokračujem aj v podpornej liečbe.

    Umožňuje Vám Váš zdravotný stav takéto ďaleké cesty?

    Keby som nevládal, alebo mi to lekári nedovolili, necestoval by som. Ale nevzdávam sa, keď vidím oveľa ťažšie kríže druhých okolo seba alebo osudy prenasledovaných vo svete. Ako hovorieval Churchill, rozhodujúce v živote nie sú víťazstvá a prehry, ale odvaha a vytrvalosť.

    Aké iné krajiny ste v poslednej dobe navštívili, kam sa ešte tento rok chystáte?

    Nedávno som sa vrátil z Malajzie, kde v lete skončil dlhoročný režim. Medzitým som bol v Macedónsku, ktoré sa pripravuje na integráciu do EÚ. Teraz sa chystám do Egypta, kde je stále veľa napätia kvôli útokom teroristov ISIS na koptské komunity a do Veľkej Británie na medzinárodnú konferenciu.

    Ako to momentálne vyzerá s Vaším mandátom? Ako to bolo s jeho vznikom a čo konkrétne chce na tejto funkcii posilniť Európsky parlament?

    Táto agenda v EÚ dlho chýbala. EP vyzval k vytvoreniu tohto postu, keď tvrdo genocídu kresťanov, jezídov a iných menšín v Iraku a v Sýrii. Nevznikol kvôli mne, ako to niektorí u nás úmyselne prekrúcali, ale kvôli nárastu prenasledovania vo svete. Návrh EP je potvrdením dôvery, ktorú sa podarilo vybudovať na základe výsledkov. Vyjadruje vôľu inštitucionalizovať a posilniť pozíciu budúceho Osobitného vyslanca personálne a rozpočtovo. Môj mandát je len jednoročný, bol dvakrát obnovený a končí v máji.

    https://europskenoviny.sk/2018/11/20/jan-figel-tak-biedne-pomery-ake-vidavam-vo-svete-si-nasa-mladez-nevie-predstavit

  • Nevzdávam sa, vidím okolo seba ťažšie kríže

    Nevzdávam sa, vidím okolo seba ťažšie kríže

    V rozhovore hovorí osobitný vyslanec EÚ pre náboženské slobody vo svete – Ján Figeľ – o svojich cestách, zdravotnom stave i dôležitosti svojho mandátu.

    Veľa cestujete, nedávno ste sa vrátili z Burkina Faso, pred tým ste boli v Libanone. Na základe čoho si tieto krajiny vyberáte a čo je Vašou úlohou, keď ich navštívite?

    Na návštevu ma pozval prezident Burkina Faso Roch Kaboré v júni. Pred rokom som v tomto regióne Sahelu navštívil Senegal. Tieto krajiny sú ekonomicky chudobné, ale ich bohatstvom je tradícia spolužitia v rozmanitosti a v porozumení. Mojou úlohou je zmapovať situáciu z pohľadu náboženskej slobody ako predpokladu udržateľného rozvoja. Následne predkladám Európskej komisii a diplomacii odporúčania na konkrétne opatrenia, nové projekty a zacielenie programov EÚ v týchto krajinách.

    Osobne sa zapájam do podpory medzináboženského dialógu a spolupráce komunít, aby sa prekonávali konflikty a vytvárala súdržná spoločnosť. Vo februári bude v hlavnom meste Ouagadogou celoafrický filmový a televízny festival FESPACO, ktorý je zameraný na dialóg rôznych kultúr. Už teraz ma naň organizátori pozvali.

    Ako riešiť prudký nárast extrémizmu v takejto chudobnej krajine, kde vôbec majú začať?

    Násilie sem prichádza spoza hraníc, hlavne z Mali a Nigeru. Je podporované aj exportom radikálneho islamu z krajín Arabského polostrova, pričom chudoba, nedostatok ekonomickej perspektívy a generačné problémy vytvárajú živnú pôdu pre radikalizáciu a násilný extrémizmus. Štát musí konať – chrániť obyvateľov a trestať zločincov. Spravodlivosť musí prevládnuť nad terorizmom. Riešením je intenzívnejší rozvoj hospodárstva a spoločnosti.

    To znamená budovanie ciest, dostupnosť vzdelávania a rast zamestnanosti. Európska únia pri tom pomáha Burkine aj finančne, v tomto roku v objeme 220 mil. eur. Kým inde riešime prepustenie väzňov, tu sme sa dohodli na novej, účinnejšej forme dialógu s predstaviteľmi náboženských a občianskych spoločenstiev, aby sme tým zmenšovali priestor pre násilný extrémizmus a intoleranciu.

    Aké problémy tam pociťujú domáci, deti, učitelia? Dá sa s tým niečo z Vašej pozície robiť?

    Naša mládež si snáď ani nevie predstaviť tak biedne pomery, kde sa v oplechovanom priestore a v horúčave tiesni aj 90 detí. A to je v hlavnom meste Ouagadogou. Kompetencie a učitelia pre praktické uplatnenie chýbajú. Tu vidím najväčšie výzvy, lebo výchova a vzdelávanie je najsilnejším nástrojom na zmenu spoločnosti.

    Aj preto teroristi útočia na školy, na výstrahu zabijú riaditeľa alebo pár učiteľov. Dal som po návrate odporúčanie Európskej komisii, aby sme viac pomáhali školstvu v tejto krajine na všetkých úrovniach, lebo bez dostupnosti relevantného vzdelávania sa krajina nepozdvihne.

    Nie je, čo sa týka Vášho zdravia, mimoriadne náročné cestovať po svete do rôznych krajín? Podstupujete ešte liečbu?

    Moje zdravotné výsledky sa od minulého leta zlepšili, nastal pozitívny posun. Som aj naďalej pacientom NOÚ v Bratislave. Zmenil som životosprávu, a pokračujem aj v podpornej liečbe.

    Umožňuje Vám Váš zdravotný stav takéto ďaleké cesty?

    Keby som nevládal, alebo mi to lekári nedovolili, necestoval by som. Ale nevzdávam sa, keď vidím oveľa ťažšie kríže druhých okolo seba alebo osudy prenasledovaných vo svete. Ako hovorieval Churchill, rozhodujúce v živote nie sú víťazstvá a prehry, ale odvaha a vytrvalosť.

    Aké iné krajiny ste v poslednej dobe navštívili, kam sa ešte tento rok chystáte?

    Nedávno som sa vrátil z Malajzie, kde v lete skončil dlhoročný režim. Medzitým som bol v Macedónsku, ktoré sa pripravuje na integráciu do EÚ. Teraz sa chystám do Egypta, kde je stále veľa napätia kvôli útokom teroristov ISIS na koptské komunity a do Veľkej Británie na medzinárodnú konferenciu.

    Ako to momentálne vyzerá s Vaším mandátom? Ako to bolo s jeho vznikom a čo konkrétne chce na tejto funkcii posilniť Európsky parlament?

    Táto agenda v EÚ dlho chýbala. EP vyzval k vytvoreniu tohto postu, keď tvrdo genocídu kresťanov, jezídov a iných menšín v Iraku a v Sýrii. Nevznikol kvôli mne, ako to niektorí u nás úmyselne prekrúcali, ale kvôli nárastu náboženského prenasledovania vo svete. Návrh EP je potvrdením dôvery, ktorú sa podarilo vybudovať na základe výsledkov. Vyjadruje vôľu inštitucionalizovať a posilniť pozíciu budúceho Osobitného vyslanca personálne a rozpočtovo. Môj mandát je len jednoročný, bol dvakrát obnovený a končí v máji.

    https://www.slovoplus.sk/jan-figel-nevzdavam-sa-vidim-okolo-seba-tazsie-krize

  • Religious freedom in the world: Figel’ (EU), “violence and discrimination: collective, determined action is needed

    Religious freedom in the world: Figel’ (EU), “violence and discrimination: collective, determined action is needed

    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.

    https://www.agensir.it/europa/2018/11/12/religious-freedom-in-the-world-figel-eu-violence-and-discrimination-collective-determined-action-is-needed

  • Libertà religiosa nel mondo: Figel’ (Ue), “violenze e discriminazioni, serve un’azione decisa e cora

    Libertà religiosa nel mondo: Figel’ (Ue), “violenze e discriminazioni, serve un’azione decisa e cora

    L’ex commissario europeo ricopre l’incarico di inviato speciale per la promozione della libertà di religione o di credo nel mondo. Al Sir spiega la drammatica situazione che si registra oggi in molti Paesi. “C’è in gioco – chiarisce – un criterio di civiltà. Si tratta di una cartina di tornasole di tutti i diritti umani. Quando mostriamo la nostra solidarietà ragionevole e tempestiva con coloro che soffrono, stiamo preservando l’umanità e stiamo operando contro l’odio e la violenza”

    Alla fine della primavera 2016, la Commissione europea aveva istituito la carica di inviato speciale per la promozione della libertà di religione o di credo al di fuori dell’Ue. A più di due anni di distanza, ne parliamo con l’incaricato, il primo inviato speciale, Ján Figeľ, slovacco, già Commissario europeo, ministro nel suo Paese. Un confronto a partire dalle aree del mondo più critiche in relazione alla libertà religiosa, per addentrarci nelle persecuzioni delle minoranze religiose, negli eventuali miglioramenti della situazione e nelle principali sfide che si riscontrano oggi in questo campo.

    Quale situazione ha trovato, al momento della sua nomina, a proposito della libertà religiosa? E oggi, a che punto siamo?

    La mia nomina è stata una reazione alle atrocità e ai genocidi contro cristiani, yazidi e altre minoranze religiose ed etniche in Medio Oriente commesse dai terroristi dell’Isis. La guerra in Iraq è finita e ora dobbiamo lavorare sulla riconciliazione e la ricostruzione. Anche gli anni di guerra più difficili in Siria sono finiti e il Paese, si spera, raggiungerà una pacificazione. Milioni di rifugiati hanno però bisogno di tornare a casa. Atrocità di massa contro i Rohingya sono state commesse dai militari in Myanmar nel 2017 e oltre 700mila persone perseguitate sono fuggite in Bangladesh. D’altro lato, risulta evidente una maggiore consapevolezza dell’importanza della libertà religiosa. Posizioni politiche, programmi diplomatici e progetti di sostegno specifici dedicati alla situazione delle minoranze religiose sono stati stabiliti negli ultimi anni in Danimarca, Germania, Regno Unito, Ungheria, Italia, Polonia…

    I dati statistici dicono che il 79% delle persone vive in Paesi con situazioni difficili nel campo della libertà religiosa. È un numero alto… Quali sono le problematiche più critiche e quali gruppi di popolazione sono maggiormente a rischio nel mondo?

    Sì, la situazione è terribile e le tendenze sono preoccupanti. Fondamentalmente, possiamo parlare d’intolleranza religiosa, discriminazione e persecuzione a tutti i livelli possibili. I credenti sono perseguitati in molte regioni del mondo. Le minoranze, in tanti Stati, subiscono ostilità sociale, vessazioni per mano di agenzie governative o da parte di attivisti non statali. Vengono discriminati nell’accesso all’istruzione, all’occupazione, agli uffici pubblici, al diritto di proprietà. Nel mondo, 13 Stati applicano la pena di morte per ateismo, 22 Paesi per conversione e oltre 70 Paesi hanno leggi che puniscono la blasfemia. Vediamo l’estremismo violento alimentato dal terrorismo islamico, dal nazionalismo indù o buddista, ma anche dallo statalismo ateo o dal laicismo ideologico. Il trattamento altamente disumano delle minoranze è una forma di genocidio; sfortunatamente non si tratta soltanto di una minaccia storica o teorica, ma di un’evidente incapacità di proteggere i gruppi vulnerabili. Il secolo dei genocidi interpella la nostra coscienza e la nostra responsabilità consiste nel generare una differenza positiva per il futuro dell’umanità.

    Qual è il significato della libertà di credo in questo nostro tempo?

    La libertà di religione o di credo è un criterio di civiltà. È una cartina di tornasole di tutti i diritti umani. Quando mostriamo la nostra solidarietà ragionevole e tempestiva con coloro che soffrono, stiamo preservando l’umanità e stiamo operando contro l’odio e la violenza.

    Abbiamo bisogno di persone intelligenti più che di apparecchi telefonici intelligenti! Significa che in un mondo globalizzato ricco di diversità dobbiamo imparare anche l’alfabetizzazione religiosa, accanto a quella digitale. Quando difendiamo e prestiamo assistenza alle comunità perseguitate, affrontiamo anche le radici della crisi dei rifugiati. E, allo stesso tempo, confermiamo la nostra identità, perché la nostra memoria e la nostra identità sono strettamente interconnesse.

    Prendiamo tre grandi religioni monoteistiche: l’islam, l’ebraismo e, naturalmente, il cristianesimo. Come possono unire le loro forze per promuovere la libertà religiosa?

    Se c’è una minoranza perseguitata all’interno di un Paese, anche le altre minoranze saranno sottoposte a questa minaccia. Ne troviamo molti esempi in Medio Oriente, in Nord Africa o nel Sud-Est asiatico. Tutti noi siamo minoranze alcune volte e in alcuni luoghi. Pertanto, è importante trattare le minoranze in modo equo e su una base di uguaglianza. A tutti quanti – laici o religiosi – viene rivolto un pressante invito ad agire gli uni verso gli altri nello spirito della fratellanza. Le tre religioni monoteistiche dovrebbero dare l’esempio in positivo. Esse svolgono un ruolo cruciale nella promozione della giustizia e della pace, specialmente in Medio Oriente, la culla della loro cultura. Ci è voluto molto tempo prima di poter vedere il grande leader cristiano, Papa Paolo VI, entrare in una sinagoga e di vedere Giovanni Paolo II varcare la soglia di una moschea. L’anno scorso, Papa Francesco e la suprema autorità islamica sunnita, il Gran Mufti di Al Ahzar, si sono incontrati al Cairo. I fedeli del cristianesimo, dell’ebraismo e dell’islam rappresentano oltre il 55% della popolazione mondiale. Quando la maggioranza della popolazione mondiale agirà per un mondo migliore, questo obiettivo potrà essere raggiunto!

    I leader religiosi e le comunità di fede hanno la loro quota di “responsabilità sociale religiosa” per far prevalere la pace, la giustizia e lo sviluppo sostenibile.

    Lei sta attirando l’attenzione dell’Unione europea sui gravi problemi concernenti la libertà religiosa. Su quali competenze e strumenti può contare con il suo incarico per intervenire concretamente?

    Il mio impegno in questo ruolo equivale a una missione pioneristica. Mi adopero per comunicare, per aprire le porte, le menti e i cuori e per collaborare con coloro che sono disposti a cooperare con l’Ue. Io non impartisco insegnamenti, non predico, non lancio accuse, ma mi sforzo di capire la situazione, le radici dei problemi e di trovare soluzioni efficaci. Quando troviamo un linguaggio comune e un terreno comune, esiste la possibilità di definire anche interessi e obiettivi comuni. Nel profondo di se stessi, tutti concordano che esiste un bene comune. Io non ho buone competenze o un ricco budget, ma faccio affidamento sulla fiducia e sul sostegno della Commissione europea e sulla diplomazia dell’Ue. Per il sostegno ai diritti umani, inclusa la tutela della libertà religiosa, viene utilizzato uno strumento finanziario specifico, lo “Strumento europeo per la democrazia e i diritti umani”, che può contare su un budget di 1,4 miliardi di euro. Per la prima volta, sosteniamo anche il dialogo interreligioso e interculturale come prevenzione dell’estremismo violento.

    Nel Parlamento europeo c’è un crescente sostegno all’istituzionalizzazione del mandato dell’inviato speciale, al potenziamento delle capacità personali e al rafforzamento dei fondi disponibili per questa funzione.

    https://www.agensir.it/europa/2018/11/12/liberta-religiosa-nel-mondo-figel-ue-violenze-e-discriminazioni-serve-unazione-decisa-e-corale

  • Video rozhovor: Európa trpí stratou pamäti, mnohí smútia za totalitnou minulosťou

    Video rozhovor: Európa trpí stratou pamäti, mnohí smútia za totalitnou minulosťou

    Hosťom Pavla Demeša v relácii SVET Tu a teraz je osobitný vyslanec pre podporu slobody náboženstva alebo viery mimo EÚ Ján Figeľ.

    Počas troch rokov pôsobenia vo funkcii vyslanca navštívil Ján Figeľ viac než 30 krajín, pretože Európska únia je podľa neho dôležitým partnerom pre mnohé štáty sveta. Jednou z najcitlivejších bola návšteva Iraku počas otvorených vojnových stretov. “Musel som nosiť helmu i nepriestrelnú vestu a návštevu som považoval za výraz záujmu o krajinu, ktorá je v totálnych ťažkostiach,” dodáva J. Figeľ.

    Ako osobitný vyslanec sa snažil pretlmočiť postoj EÚ aj na stretnutiach s pakistanskými predstaviteľmi, ktoré sa týkali na smrť odsúdenej kresťanky Asie Bibi. Tá bola pred ôsmimi rokmi odsúdená za bohorúhačstvo a tento týždeň ju najvyšší súd zbavil viny.

    “Stav vo svete je rozmanitý a veľmi zložitý, trend je skôr negatívny. A predsa nás to nemôže nechávať skeptickými, pretože ide o civilizačný zápas, pričom sloboda svedomia, myslenia a človeka je výrazom ľudskej dôstojnosti a my sme zodpovední za to, čo prevláda vo svete. Ak nie, tak potom na to doplácame,” myslí si J. Figeľ.

    “Žijeme v reálnom svete a tento reálny svet musíme formovať,” odpovedá J. Figeľ na otázku, ako sa vysporiadať so šírením extrémistického hnutia v Európe. “Mali by sme pamätať na to predchádzajúce a usilovať sa o to, aby sa to zlé, čo bolo, neopakovalo. Európa je plná lekcií a zároveň trpí stratou pamäti. Mnohí smútia za minulosťou, keď tu bola prítomná totalita a prenasledovanie pre presvedčenie,” tvrdí J. Figeľ.

    Nielen o úlohe cirkvi pri boji s extrémizmom, ale aj o používaní náboženských tém v predvolebnom zápase debatuje Pavol Demeš so svojím hosťom v relácii SVET Tu a teraz.

    Video rozhovor tu: http://tv.teraz.sk/svet-tu-a-teraz/x6wk24o181144-002-034_svet_tat_20181102/15707/