Ján Figeľ

Tag: EU

  • Ján Figeľ: Európa potrebuje dušu

    Ján Figeľ: Európa potrebuje dušu

    Osobitný vyslanec Európskej únie pre náboženskú slobodu vo svete Ján Figeľ v rozhovore pre vatikánsku agentúru CNA vyjadruje svoje názory na najdôležitejšie hodnoty, ktorých sa má Európska únia držať. Hovorí o nedávnej konferencii „Premyslime Európu“, o práci na poli náboženskej slobody na kontinente i vo svete a o úlohe kresťanov v prinášaní novej zanietenosti pre dobro všetkých.

    Titulná snímka: Ján Figeľ so študentami z Nigérie, kde pôsobí militantné hnutie Boko Haram, na Konferencii o prenasledovaní kresťanov v Budapešti. (október 2017)

    SLOBODU POSILŇUJEME HĽADANÍM SPOLOČNÉHO DOBRA

    Ako by ste vysvetlili termín „zodpovedná sloboda“?

    Kedy nie je sloboda zodpovedná? Sloboda je veľkým darom a fenoménom človeka. Ale bez zodpovednosti je neudržateľná, ba môže sa aj vytratiť. Sloboda potrebuje zrelosť vo forme aktívneho občianstva. Môžeme si slobodne vyberať a rozhodovať sa, ale svoju slobodu posilňujeme len hľadaním spoločného dobra. Ak volíme rozhodnutia v protiklade so slobodami a základnými právami iných, oslabujeme či dokonca ničíme celkovú slobodu v spoločnosti.

    Zodpovedná sloboda spolu s právami tiež uznáva a uskutočňuje povinnosti a záväzky. Moderné trendy jednostrannej mentality, ktoré sa orientujú iba na práva, podkopávajú a narúšajú celkovú slobodu spoločnosti. Moje práva sú možné a dosiahnuteľné iba tak, že budem dodržiavať svoje povinnosti voči ostatným a voči komunite, v ktorej žijem. Tento vyvážený prístup predstavuje zrelé konanie a buduje zodpovednú slobodu.

    Tento výrok použil vo svojom príhovore na záver konferencie Rethinking Europe – Premyslime Európu kardinál Reinhard Marx, predseda Komisie biskupských konferencií Európskeho spoločenstva COMECE. Pozvanie zúčastniť sa tejto konferencie mi pripomenulo skutočnosť, že aj zriadenie tejto novej pozície pri Európskej únii, a tým aj moje súčasné poslanie, oznámil tiež práve vo Vatikáne predseda komisie Juncker pri príležitosti udelenia Ceny Karola Veľkého pápežovi Františkovi v máji 2016. Tento fakt symbolizuje historické prepojenie mojej agendy s Rímom a medzinárodnými snaženiami o budovanie mostov.

    SLOBODA VYZNANIA JE LAKMUSOVÝM TESTOM ĽUDSKÝCH PRÁV

    Ste osobitným vyslancom Európskej únie pre náboženskú slobodu. Ako by mala Európa viac posilňovať náboženskú slobodu vo svete?

    Európa veľmi dôverne pozná dve línie vývoja, o ktorých ju poučili lekcie 20. storočia – línia mieru a slobody a línia vojny a totality. Preto by sa mala aktívnejšie držať základnej hodnoty slobody vyznania a presvedčenia, a to vo svete i vo svojom vnútri. Tá totiž zahŕňa slobodu myslenia, svedomia, náboženského vyznania a presvedčenia, ktoré sú vzácne a dôležité pre život a dôstojnosť každej osoby. Je lakmusovým testom všetkých ľudských práv, pretože ak sa nerešpektuje, tak sa okliešťujú aj iné politické a občianske práva. Bolo by možné o tom veľa hovoriť zo skúseností v komunistickom Československu a v krajinách sovietskeho bloku. V čase zlej globálnej situácie a zhoršujúcich sa trendov v mnohých krajinách a regiónoch sveta by mala Európa šíriť povedomie o dôležitosti slobody vyznania a náležitým spôsobom podporovať túto agendu. Znamená to vlastne výzvu konať proti prenasledovaniu a diskriminácii, zastaviť vojnové konflikty a pracovať na spravodlivejšom a rovnejšom prístupe k rôznym náboženským menšinám a komunitám. Je to naša zodpovednosť aj náš spoločný záujem.

    KRESŤANIA BY MALI PRINÁŠAŤ DUCHA JEDNOTY

    Konferencia sa uskutočnila pod názvom „Premyslime Európu“. Ako to dosiahnuť? Aké dojmy máte po tomto zhromaždení?

    Zhromaždenie bolo veľmi užitočné a časovo aktuálne, pretože mnoho ľudí má opodstatnené obavy o budúcnosť európskej integrácie. Dôvera v projekt Európskej únie bola oslabená brexitom, rastúcou nestabilitou na kontinente a v jeho susedstve, prechádzaním cez desaťročie viacerých kríz – menovej, finančnej, ekonomickej, migračnej i politickej.

    Kresťania boli veľmi aktívni v procese európskej integrácie. Ich politický prínos je nespochybniteľný, dokonca rozhodujúci prostredníctvom lídrov ako Schuman, Adenauer, De Gasperi, Monet a iní. Kresťania by ani dnes nemali ostať bokom alebo lamentovať nad situáciou, ale naopak – opäť prinášať to, čo chýba a čo je potrebné pre obnovu Európy: základné hodnoty, osobnú zanietenosť a ducha jednoty. Toto nedokáže dodať trh, euro ani geografia. Je to ovocie zodpovednej slobody, zmyslu pre solidaritu, dobrej vôle a rozumných, skutočných riešení problémov.

    VIACERÉ KRAJINY ZVÝŠILI ZÁUJEM O OCHRANU NÁBOŽENSKEJ SLOBODY V EÚ

    Vašou úlohou je presadzovať a obhajovať náboženskú slobodu mimo hraníc EÚ. Sú správy – mám teraz na mysli napríklad nedávnu správu ACN (Pomoc trpiacej Cirkvi) – ktoré zdôrazňujú ohrozenosť náboženskej slobody v rámci Európy. Akým spôsobom môže vaša činnosť pomôcť Európe prehodnotiť právo jej obyvateľov na náboženskú slobodu?

    Vnútorné a vonkajšie politiky EÚ sú dvoma časťami rovnakej komunitnej agendy. Preto viac pozornosti a väčšia vonkajšia, medzinárodná angažovanosť, čo sa týka náboženskej slobody, môže pomôcť obnoviť európsku oddanosť náboženskej slobode doma. Toto je jeden z dôvodov, prečo je môj mandát osobitného vyslanca EÚ pre náboženskú slobodu vo svete orientovaný na krajiny mimo EÚ, ale zároveň prepojený s vnútorným dialógom s cirkvami podľa čl. 17 Zmluvy o EÚ.

    Ostatné kolo vysokého pravidelného, transparentného a otvoreného dialógu s cirkvami a náboženskými komunitami na vysokej úrovni prebehlo 7. novembra v Bruseli. Zvolávateľom je prvý podpredseda Európskej komisie Franz Timmermans. Rovnako sa konajú stretnutia s nekonfesnými organizáciami.

    Zintenzívnila sa tiež angažovanosť Európskeho súdu pre ľudské práva v Štrasburgu v týchto záležitostiach, a to nielen kvôli nárastu migrácie. Viaceré krajiny nominovali osobitných predstaviteľov a vyslancov alebo založili observatóriá na posilnenie ochrany a podpory náboženskej slobody – napríklad Nórsko, Fínsko, Dánsko, Taliansko. Veľmi oceňujem tieto novovzniknuté záväzky.

    EURÓPA MÁ BYŤ PRÍKLADOM UNIVERZÁLNEJ SOLIDARITY

    Dialóg, inklúzia, solidarita, rozvoj a mier sú piatimi piliermi, na ktorých treba postaviť Európu, hovorí pápež František. Súhlasíte s ním? Existuje pilier, ktorý by ste pridali?

    Hoci pápež František pochádza z Latinskej Ameriky, jasne rozumie dôležitosti spoločnej európskej budúcnosti pre starý kontinent, ale aj pre globálny rozvoj. Rád by som zdôraznil dôstojnosť, spravodlivosť, subsidiaritu, solidaritu a dialóg. Vo svojej súčasnej pozícii a ako bývalý európsky komisár pre vzdelanie, kultúru a mládež zblízka pozorujem rastúcu dôležitosť týchto princípov a pilierov pre Európu a tiež pre svet.

    Ľudská dôstojnosť je prvou a najdôležitejšou hodnotou pre ľudí kdekoľvek, zvlášť po storočí genocíd, počnúc genocídou Arménov pred sto rokmi až po masové vraždy vykonávané bojovníkmi ISIS na kresťanoch, jezídoch a ďalších menšinách na Blízkom východe v posledných rokoch.

    Mier je ovocím spravodlivosti, preto zlepšenie a zintenzívnenie úsilia pre spravodlivosť, vrátane a najmä v inštitúciách Organizácie spojených národov, je najlepšou prevenciou vojnových konfliktov.

    Subsidiarita je alternatívnym menom pre slobodu a dobre organizovanú vnútroštátnu a medzištátnu spoluprácu. Je to aj kľúčový princíp cirkevného sociálneho učenia. EÚ sa musí učiť tomuto princípu lepšie, ako tomu bolo v nedávnej minulosti. Princíp subsidiarity je dôležitý pre obnovu vzájomnej dôvery – medzi štátmi a inštitúciami EÚ a jej občanmi.

    Solidarita predstavuje spojivo v múroch nášho európskeho domu. Bez solidarity sa tento dom rozpadne. Rozumná, efektívna solidarita prichádza po subsidiarite. Solidarita so zraniteľnými a tými, ktorí sa ocitli na okraji spoločnosti, je vzájomne výhodnou investíciou proti chudobe, rozdeleniu a extrémizmu. Tieto princípy reprezentujú základ spoločného dobra, ktorého podpora dnes tak často chýba v medzinárodných a národných politikách.

    A napokon, dialóg reprezentuje kultúru otvorenosti, učenie sa o ostatných a súcit s ľuďmi a svetom.

    Tieto princípy sú potrebné, ak sa má Európa v 21. storočí stať naozajstným držiteľom svojho osudu, lídrom ľudskosti, ochrancom demokracie a príkladom všeobecnej solidarity. A takáto Európa bude slúžiť ako zdroj nádeje a integrálneho humanizmu pre svojich ľudí i pre svet. Toto je odkaz Roberta Schumana a otcov – zakladateľov EÚ našej generácii. Zdieľam s nimi tento sen a víziu.

    NIE SME TU TURISTAMI, SME OBČANMI

    Po dvoch dňoch stretnutí je na mieste otázka: Čo bude ďalej? A osobne, čo budete robiť vy, aby ste postupne implementovali ciele, ktoré ste si počas týchto stretnutí stanovili?

    Takéto zhromaždenia a dialógy by sa mali organizovať pravidelne, a to na európskej i národnej úrovni, napríklad raz za dva roky. Túto iniciatívu by mali prevziať národní politickí lídri a lídri cirkví, experti a laici. Európa nie je dôležitá len v Bruseli, Štrasburgu alebo Vatikáne; je dôležitá pre perspektívu našich krajín, regiónov a predovšetkým pre všetkých svojich občanov. EÚ začala ako projekt elít; dnes je viac a viac v rukách ľudí. Preto budúcnosť tohto bezprecedentného projektu by mala byť aj viac prítomná v mysliach a srdciach ľudí. My tu nie sme ako turisti na návšteve Európskej únie, sme jej občanmi so svojimi právami a slobodami, no i povinnosťami a zodpovednosťami. Zmysel integrácie sa realizuje prostredníctvom férovej participácie, teda účasti na jej chode.

    Chvályhodná iniciatíva biskupskej komisie COMECE podporená Svätou stolicou pri príležitosti 60. výročia Rímskych zmlúv nemôže ostať izolovanou a príležitostnou. Dôležitosť miesta, času a obsahu bola potvrdená i prítomnosťou Svätého Otca Františka a vysokého počtu účastníkov z krajín a inštitúcií EÚ. Teraz potrebujeme diskutovať o týchto problémoch aj na národnej úrovni a sústrediť sa na riešenia pre sektory, ako sú životné prostredie, bezpečnosť, migrácia, rozvoj a podobne.

    Európa potrebuje dušu, nemôže byť naďalej len ekonomickou alebo technickou komunitou. Kultúrne korene, základne hodnoty, evanjeliová inšpirácia a zmysel pre bratstvo by mali inšpirovať naše rozhodnutia a skutky pre spoločné dobro. Sú potrebnejšie a prinášajú aj viac ovocia než lamentovanie nad vývojom alebo opakujúce sa polemiky. Deficit jednoty a slabá duchovná dimenzia Európskeho spoločenstva je pozvaním pre všetkých kresťanov a ostatných veriacich, aby prispeli a boli jeho aktívnymi účastníkmi so svojimi talentami, potenciálmi, vedomosťami, skúsenosťami a zodpovednosťou na rôznych úrovniach.

    Otázkou doby nie je viacrýchlostná Únia alebo jej rozmanitá geometria. Problémom je jej orientácia – Quo vadis, Európa? Keď si jasne zadefinujeme orientáciu a budeme ju konsenzuálne zdieľať, potom musia nasledovať rozumné reformy a stratégie, eliminujúce priestor pre dnešnú vlnu frustácie, populizmu a extrémizmu.

    Dozrel čas na zmenu a posun od politiky identít k etike zodpovednosti bez toho, aby sme prestali uznávať dôležitosť akejkoľvek identity, bez spochybňovania rozmanitosti našich kultúr, národov a náboženstiev. Jednota, ale nie uniformita, založená na rovnakej dôstojnosti všetkých ľudí je šľachetnou víziou aj praktickou potrebou. Kresťania a Cirkev nadobudli počas histórie nesmiernu duchovnú inšpiráciu, bohatstvo skúseností a vhodné nástroje na budovanie a šírenie takéhoto zmiereného ľudského spoločenstva.

    Článok dostupný tu: http://www.cestaplus.sk/cestaplus/clanok/2017-11-12-jan-figel-europa-potrebuje-dusu

    A tu: https://europskenoviny.sk/2017/11/12/jan-figel-europa-potrebuje-dusu/

    A tu: https://www.tkkbs.sk/view.php?cisloclanku=20171113019

  • EU-Sondergesandter: Religionsfreiheit sinkt

    Der EU-Sonderbeauftragte für Religionsfreiheit außerhalb der Union, Jan Figel, beklagt weltweit eine Verschlechterung der Lage der Religionsfreiheit.

    „Der Trend ist negativ“, sagte er am Mittwoch in Brüssel. Nur eine Minderheit weltweit genieße Religions- oder Glaubensfreiheit. In 13 Ländern werde Atheismus mit der Todesstrafe geahndet, so Figel; Gotteslästerung werde in 40 Ländern bestraft.

    Religionen verstehen

    Um Extremismus und Terrorismus entgegenzuwirken, sei es wichtig, etwas gegen „religiöses Analphabetentum“ zu tun. „Wir müssen Religionen verstehen, um in der Lage zu sein, die Welt zu verstehen“, so der Sonderbeauftragte. Wo Religions- oder Glaubensfreiheit eingeschränkt würden, erlitten Menschenrechte und Grundfreiheiten früher oder später das gleiche Schicksal.

    Am Dienstagnachmittag war im EU-Parlament ein Zwischenbericht zu Religions- oder Glaubensfreiheit außerhalb der EU präsentiert worden. Darin überprüft eine interfraktionelle Arbeitsgruppe, was aus früheren Empfehlungen zu religiöser Toleranz, Religions- und Glaubensfreiheit geworden ist.

    Eine Empfehlung war, die Mitarbeiter des Auswärtigen Dienstes der EU besser über Leitlinien zu Religionsfreiheit zu informieren. Die Arbeitsgruppe fordert, dass die Info-Kampagne über zwei bisherige Mitarbeitertrainings hinaus ausgeweitet wird.

    13 Länder außerhalb der EU analysiert

    Die Gruppe hat die Lage der Religionsfreiheit in 13 Ländern außerhalb der EU besonders betrachtet und analysiert. Für Myanmar empfiehlt die Gruppe einen Bericht der EU-Delegation zur Frage, ob Programme zum Schutz der Religionsfreiheit und Toleranz zu Stabilität im Land beitragen könnten. Zudem solle der Schutz von Religionsfreiheit weiter Thema des Menschenrechtsdialogs mit der EU sein.

    EU-Parlamentsvizepräsidentin Mairead McGuinness betonte bei der Präsentation die historische Bedeutung der Verteidigung von Religionsfreiheit. „Religionsfreiheit oder die Freiheit, keiner Religion anzugehören, liegt im Herzen aller unserer Freiheiten“, sagte McGuinness.

    Artikel: http://religion.orf.at/stories/2850313/

  • For EU’s religious freedom envoy, Middle East is key arena

    Brussels, Belgium, Oct 27, 2016 / 12:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The genocide of Yazidis and Christians in the Middle East and the refugee crisis should be a priority for Europe, the EU special envoy for religious freedom has said.

    Jan Figel told CNA that even though “there many other places where religious freedom is liquidated, discriminated and oppressed,” the Middle East is an unavoidable focus.

    “It is evident that what it is going on the Middle East affects the rest of the world,” he said at a media symposium organized by Alliance Defending Freedom International in Brussels.

    Figel, a Slovak who served as EU Commissioner for Education from 2004 to 2009, was chosen to be the union’s special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the European Union. The position is an observer role and has a one-year term.

    “I deem that the religious persecutions against Yazidis and Christians can be labeled as genocide, and this is the reason why the Middle East is a priority: there is a crime committed in the geopolitical center of the world, where three continents meet and the most important religions live together,” he explained.

    Figel stressed the need to aid countries at the frontlines of conflicts that involve religious persecution and mass refugee displacement.

    “Europe should provide more cooperation and assistance, as there are countries, like Jordan, that cannot sustain the flow of refugees that is coming to their lands,” Figel said. “Jordan did not close its borders, it is open to refugees from Syria and Iraq, and needs and deserves more EU support and comprehensive cooperation.”

    Figel has focused on the plight of Christians in the Middle East in his own work. For his first official overseas trip, he visited Jordan Oct. 18-19, meeting with representatives of government and religious and civil society leaders.

    More: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/34818/for-eus-religious-freedom-envoy-middle-east-is-key-arena

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Pic © European Union , 2016 / Photo: Georges Boulougouris

    The Syrian children’s drawings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Thank you for your attention.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Thank you for your attention.

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

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

  • “Action for Religious Freedom is a Moral Obligation”

    “Action for Religious Freedom is a Moral Obligation”

    Interview by FOREF Europe with Dr. Ján Figeľ, EU Special Envoy for the promotion of FoRB

    Vienna, 03.08.2016 (FOREF Europe) – During his short stay in Vienna, Ján Figeľ, the first Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the European Union, met with Peter Zoehrer, the executive director of FOREF Europe. Mr. Figeľ previously served as Slovakia’s deputy Prime Minister and EU Commissioner. After having been nominated on 6 May 2016 by Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, he will focus on some of the most crucial challenges facing Europe today: the quest for religious freedom, radicalization and intercultural dialogue.

    FOREF Europe: Dr. Ján Figeľ, congratulations to your nomination as the Special Envoy for the promotion of FoRB. Thank you for giving the Forum for Religious Freedom Europe the opportunity to interview you. First of all, we would be interested to know what freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) means to you.

    Ján Figeľ: Before we can clarify the issue of religious freedom, allow me to explain my understanding of the notion of freedom in general. Freedom is always rooted in both moral values and human rights. A free society can only be achieved and sustained on the basis of shared moral values. Already the English philosopher John Locke saw the difference between liberty and license. While liberty is the freedom to do what we ought to do, license is the freedom to do what we want to do. On a similar note Benjamin Franklin stated that “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.” Already long before the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, George Washington realized that “Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people.” In other words, there can be no freedom and no human rights without certain moral obligations and sincere commitments.

    Now extending this understanding of freedom to the particular theme of religious freedom as a fundamental human right, I believe that to defend the freedom of conscience, thought and belief is our moral obligation. This moral commitment to freedom is the starting point for both reasonable policies and effective action in field of religious freedom. In a nutshell, this is my personal approach to FoRB.

    Would you like to share any personal experiences you had in the matter of religious freedom?

    Ján Figeľ: In terms of personal experience, I should mention that I come from the post-communist part of Europe. I remember the times when real freedom of religion was non-existent. I came to know how detrimental a totalitarian regime can be, not only for individuals’ lives, but also for society as a whole. The fight for freedom and democracy in Czechoslovakia and later Slovakia united civic, political and religious dissidents. This was a clear proof that human freedom and dignity are indivisible and that these values are universal for all people.

    After the fall of the Berlin Wall and Iron Curtain in 1989, the development and preservation of civic, religious and political freedoms was always at the heart of my work as a Christian Democrat. In my role as Slovakia’s Member of Parliament, deputy Prime Minister and subsequently the EU Commissioner responsible for Education and Youth, I have worked hard to promote intercultural dialogue and to help persecuted people, including political prisoners in Iran, Belarus and Cuba. One of the Cuban prisoners of conscience became my “adoptive” brother and we met after his release.

    So, I could tell you a lot of heart-warming human stories of hope and freedom. But let me just state that today, there is an increasing awareness in the general public and in international institutions about the importance of FoRB and related issues, such as genocides on religious grounds. Religious minorities face oppression and discrimination in many countries, predominantly in the Middle East. Within international law, the UN principle of “responsibility to protect” marks a global political commitment endorsed by all UN member states, including members of the EU. This responsibility to protect also includes the duty to protect the freedom of thought, conscience and belief. This was also underlined in the European Parliament’s resolution on the systematic mass murder of adherents of religious minorities by the terrorist group ISIS in February of this year. Therefore, the Parliament started to take action by introducing the position of the Special Envoy for the promotion of FoRB, a post of which I am honored to be its first holder since the 6th of May.

    How is FoRB connected to other fundamental rights, such as the freedom of speech, the freedom of thought or the freedom of conscience?

    Ján Figeľ: Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental right that belongs to the basic value system of the European Union. We understand fundamental human rights as indivisible, interrelated and universal. The right to the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief belongs to every human being. This means people may manifest their faith individually or in community, in private or in public and they may change their faith. To be endowed with religious freedom encompasses the freedom to worship, observe religious duties and teach religious ideas. The right to religious freedom should be equally protected and also applies to atheistic or non-theistic belief.

    Logically, FoRB is intrinsically linked with the freedom of opinion and expression as well as the freedom of association and assembly. Religious freedom is thus a decisive element to pluralistic, democratic and tolerant societies. Therefore, any sound society respects, protects and promotes this fundamental right. A culture of human rights counts on FoRB as a cornerstone of a free and just society.

    As you mentioned, you are the first person to hold the position of Special Envoy for the promotion of FoRB outside the EU. What exactly will your tasks be?

    Ján Figeľ: The persistent persecution of religious and ethnic minorities makes protecting and promoting freedom of religion or belief all the more essential. My task as a Special Envoy was defined by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, when he stressed on the day of my nomination that we must focus on this important issue and ensure its visibility.

    The European Parliament recognized that the ongoing persecution of religious and ethnic groups in the Middle East is a crucial factor that contributes to mass migration and internal displacement. Therefore, together with the European Commissioner, Neven Mimica, who is responsible for International Cooperation and Development, my priority will be to promote practical mechanisms of protection for the persecuted next to humanitarian aid for those in need in the most affected areas.

    We will work harder together with the European Parliament, the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Council and our international partners to engage in a permanent dialogue on how the EU can best contribute to the promotion of FoRB in the world. The European Parliament’s Intergroup on FoRB and Religious Tolerance, which was introduced last year in January, is very supportive as well. There are already several programs and instruments to promote human rights in general and of FoRB in particular, such as the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). The new EIDHR regulation for 2014-20 specifically includes FoRB as a priority. Out of a total allocation of 20 million Euros, 5 million Euros have been earmarked for the promotion of FoRB projects. Finally, as part of my mission, I will also present a report as part of the ongoing dialogue between the European Commission and churches, religious associations or communities. This exchange with religious bodies is led by the First Vice-President of the Commission Frans Timmermans.

    Jan Figel and Pope Francis shaking hands

    How will you determine your priorities and what principles will you apply to that process?

    Ján Figeľ: We are concerned about the rise of violence and threats in non-EU countries, particularly Syria, Iraq, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Iran, Myanmar (Burma), Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and others. We are determined to defend FoRB as a right to be exercised everywhere and by everyone. In multilateral fora, the EU focusses on consolidating the content of FoRB resolutions, both in the UN Human Rights Council and in the General Assembly. We also work closely with our partners such as the United States and Canada. In the end of July I represented the EU at an international conference in Washington where more than 30 national and international delegations discussed the threats posed to religious and ethnic minorities in the Middle East by ISIS as well as options for practical help to these communities.

    My first regional priority is the Middle East, where we currently witness the genocide of the Christian, Yezidi, Shia Muslim and other communities. I want to invite more parliaments and governments to speak against this ongoing genocide. “Never again” must mean never again! We have to finally conclude the century of genocides, if we wish to live in a better time. The ongoing online presentations of the killings of innocent people is an appeal for urgent reaction by the international community. The problem of systematic murder against ethnic or religious groups is a much greater security threat than climate change! When should we apply international law against genocide and show the will to prosecute perpetrators if not now? The international community has to tackle this situation more actively and on all levels.

    We need to support the liberation of territories from ISIS and in the long run prepare conditions for post-liberation stability and recovery. But what is now most urgently needed is humanitarian aid. Other important tasks concern the field of education and the prevention of radicalization, in particular among young people. In the most affected areas, such as the Kurdistan Region, we have to do everything we can to ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered to all civilians and offer protection to all ethnic and religious communities. According to UN estimates, the ongoing offensive to liberate Mosul and the Nineveh plains could result in 300,000 and up to 1.5 million refugees. We should be prepared for this situation, which could easily turn into a major humanitarian crisis.

    Lastly, we have to work on local reconciliation and interreligious dialogue. But sustainable reconciliation presupposes justice and the rule of law in place. That is a must, because lasting peace is the fruit of justice.

    In 24 UN member states, changing one’s religion – an act known as apostasy – is considered a criminal offense. What steps should the EU take in order to abolish apostasy and blasphemy laws?

    Ján Figeľ: As Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the European Union I am aware of these legal realities and finding a solution remains a priority for us.

    The European Council is working on this issue as well, and the new EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy adopted in June 2015 stressed the importance of “ensuring FoRB remains high on the agenda with third countries as well as in multilateral fora.” In its conclusions on Pakistan, the Council called on that country to prioritize and take further action to respect, protect and promote freedom of religion or belief and the rights of persons belonging to minorities. The situation is similar in Iran, Somalia, Sudan and some other countries.

    Respect for religious freedom must also be monitored as part of the so-called Human Rights Impact Assessments that are carried out when the EU negotiates new bilateral trade and investment agreements. Where gross and persistent FoRB violations occur, no such agreements should be concluded. In addition to promoting religious freedom in bilateral relations, the EU delegations will also be more active in this field in its work with the UN.

    Finally, we should remember that this arduous task is carried out not only by politicians and diplomats, but also by civil society representatives, NGOs, academia and all people of good will. And I would like to invite all these actors and people for closer and more intense cooperation. The 21st century may become better than the previous one, if we all care and bring into our times and societies more humanity, more responsibility and more solidarity.

    Dr. Figeľ, thank you very much for the interview. The Forum for Religious Freedom Europe wishes you the best of success with your new mission.

    Ján Figeľ (r) with FOREF Europe’s Executive Director, Peter Zoehrer

    The article can be found here: https://foref-europe.org/2016/08/03/persecution-of-religious-minorities-in-the-middle-east-urges-eu-to-act/

  • “Wir müssen dem Fanatismus den Boden entziehen”

    Die Europäische Union will unsere Grundwerte auf Religions- und Glaubensfreiheit stärker vermitteln. Die Koordinierung dieser Aufgabe liegt bei Ján Figel, dem EU-Sonderbeauftragten für Glaubens- und Religionsfreiheit außerhalb der Europäischen Union.

    Was hat die EU-Kommission veranlasst, Sie zum ersten Sonderbeauftragten für Religions- und Glaubensfreiheit zu ernennen und wie beschreiben Sie Ihr Aufgabengebiet?

    Ján Figel: Die Sorge um die Lage der Menschenrechte und der Religions- und Glaubensfreiheit wächst in vielen Regionen. Im Nahen Osten sind wir mit einer nie da gewesenen Krise konfrontiert, wie das Europäische Parlament in seiner Resolution vom 4. Februar 2016 über „den systematischen Massenmord an den religiösen Minderheiten“ (durch ISIS) hervorgehoben hat. Die Situation verschlechtert sich auch in vielen anderen Ländern. Meine Aufgabe ist es, im Rahmen unserer Hilfsprogramme mit Drittländern, Wege aufzuzeigen, wie Religions- und Glaubensfreiheit außerhalb der EU gefördert und geschützt werden können. Ich arbeite als Sonderbeauftragter von Neven Mimica, dem Kommissar für Internationale Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung. Wir möchten vor allem interreligiösen Konflikten und Spannungen zuvorkommen, und diese künftig mit Hilfe besserer Präventionsmaßnahmen verhindern.

    Wie und wo konkret setzt sich die EU auf internationaler Ebene für den Schutz der Religionsfreiheit ein und welche neuen Impulse sind von Ihnen zu erwarten?

    Wenn es um den Schutz und die Förderung der Religionsfreiheit geht, erinnere ich daran, dass die EU 2013 „Leitlinien zur Religions- und Glaubensfreiheit“ veröffentlicht hat. Damit hat sie ihren Mitgliedstaaten das Mandat erteilt, politische Dialoge mit Drittstaaten zu führen, um diesen den Zugang zu internationalen Instrumenten zu ermöglichen, z. B. um internationale Beobachter einzuladen, die bei der Umsetzung von Gesetzesänderungen Unterstützung leisten. So wurden im Zusammenhang mit dieser Leitlinie Nichtregierungsorganisationen mit über 11 Millionen Euro unterstützt (2007-2015). Die Leitlinie für Religions- und Glaubensfreiheit umfasst Projekte in allen Regionen der Welt, z. B. in der Zentralafrikanischen Republik, in Indonesien, Irak oder der Türkei. Die Projekte beinhalten die Förderung von Dialog und Kooperation, Aufklärungsmaßnahmen oder der Unterstützung von Menschenrechtsverteidigern.

    Die interreligiösen Konflikte nehmen auch in Europa zu, denn die EU wird durch Zuwanderung in konfessioneller Hinsicht vielfältiger. Aber genau das treibt Populisten auf die Straße und beschert ihren Parteien Zulauf. Wie soll die Politik darauf reagieren?

    Diese Entwicklung beunruhigt mich zutiefst. Mein Engagement gilt deshalb dem Ziel, dass die Achtung vor der Vielfalt in der EU durchgesetzt wird. Was wir brauchen, nenne ich „Einheit in Vielfalt“. Jeder von uns ist dafür verantwortlich, sich innerhalb des eigenen Wirkungskreises in dieser Richtung zu engagieren. Wir sollten durch unsere Gemeinsamkeiten Brücken bauen, um kurzsichtige Denkweisen zu überwinden. Die EU ist in sich ein Labor der Vielfalt. In der Tat waren und sind wir alle in der EU „Minderheiten“, die jeweils ein Teil des Ganzen sind. Wir müssen unsere Kräfte bündeln und lernen, „das gleiche Lied zu singen“, was nicht zwangsläufig bedeutet, „mit einer Stimme zu sprechen“. Durch die Stärkung des Gesprächs zwischen den Religionen, durch gegenseitige Aufmerksamkeit und Bildung müssen wir der Intoleranz, der Radikalisierung und dem Fanatismus den Boden entziehen.

    Sind wir in Europa hinreichend entschlossen, unsere eigenen Grund- und Freiheitsrechte, auch die Religionsfreiheit, sichtbar zu verteidigen?

    Die Frage könnte auch lauten: Sind wir unserem „Fundament“ gegenüber loyal genug; unseren Werten, wie der Würde des Menschen, universalen Grundrechten, Gleichheit, einer pluralistischen Demokratie und Gerechtigkeit? Die beste Verteidigung dieser Werte besteht nicht in der Errichtung von Mauern, sondern in der Förderung von Dialog und Teilhabe. Wir müssen definitiv mehr für die weltweite Religions- und Glaubensfreiheit tun. Genau deshalb wurde die Position des Sonderbeauftragten für Religions- und Glaubensfreiheit neu geschaffen. Meine Kooperation steht allen Vertretern aus Politik, Medien, Kultur oder Gesellschaft offen, die diesen Ansatz unterstützen.

    Wie interpretieren Sie die jüngste päpstliche Aufforderung, unsere Staatengemeinschaft solle „ihre europäische Seele“ wieder entdecken?

    Ich finde diese Idee gut. Europa sollte seine Seele wiederentdecken, und dies wird hoffentlich geschehen. Europa ist eine Gemeinschaft von Menschen mit gemeinsamen Werten und Interessen. Ich bin fest davon überzeugt, dass kulturelle, geistige und menschliche Aspekte ein unverzichtbarer Bestandteil unseres Zusammenlebens sind. Die gegenwärtige Unterstützung, die meine Arbeit erfährt, weist darauf hin, dass dieser Beitrag schon längst überfällig war. Europa muss eine Verfechterin der Menschrechte sein, zum Beispiel wenn es um universelle Solidarität geht. Dies ist das Vermächtnis von Robert Schuman, das ich aufrichtig teile.

    Welche Lehren muss Brüssel aus dem Brexit-Votum ziehen? Die Subsidiarität, eine Säule der katholischen Soziallehre, gehört zu den europäischen Grundwerten und müsste künftig dieses Prinzip (Vorfahrt für die kleinere Einheit) nicht ganz oben auf der EU-Agenda stehen?

    Europa steht unter Druck, und die Brexit-Abstimmung ist ein Weckruf für uns alle. Mehr denn je brauchen wir Reformen für ein „besseres Europa“, wie sie in den politischen Prioritäten der Juncker-Kommission niedergelegt sind. Europa darf weder ein Superstaat noch nur ein freier Markt für Handel werden. Die EU muss eine gut organisierte und effiziente Gemeinschaft der Mitgliedstaaten und ihrer Bürger sein. Ich betrachte Subsidiarität als Teil einer doppelten Zielsetzung sowie als Kriterium von Richtlinien. Subsidiarität gemeinsam mit Solidarität sollte als ein duales Prinzip verfolgt werden. Denn Subsidiarität bedeutet Freiheit, aber auch Verantwortung.

    Wie viel Aufmerksamkeit widmen Sie dem Thema „Christenverfolgung“?Müssen wir die Zunahme brutaler Anschläge und deren Ursachen stärker in den Fokus rücken?

    Ich werde mich für die Förderung der Religions- und Glaubensfreiheit aller Gläubigen und Nicht-Gläubigen einsetzen, zumal Leid und Verfolgung über sämtliche Glaubensrichtungen und Regionen hinweg existieren. Dabei will ich meinen Fokus auf die Unterstützung der Bedürftigsten legen, und als Teil einer effektiven mittel- und langfristigen Perspektive unserer europäischen Agenda, wann immer möglich, die Ursachen dieses Leidens adressieren. Prävention ist hier unverzichtbar. Verstärkt helfen wir anderen Ländern bei der Vorbeugung und Vermeidung von religiösen Konflikten. Tatsache ist, dass die überwiegende Mehrheit verfolgter Menschen heutzutage Christen sind. Das Europäische Parlament zählte 150.000 Tote pro Jahr. Bei diesem Thema arbeite ich mit Nichtregierungsorganisationen wie Kirche in Not, Christian Solidarity Worldwide oder SOS Chrétiens d’Orient zusammen.

    Welche Rolle spielt Ihre neue Funktion im Rahmen der slowakischen EU-Präsidentschaft im zweiten Halbjahr 2016?

    Figel: Meine Aufgabe als Sonderbeauftragter für Religions- und Glaubensfreiheit hat keine direkte Verbindung mit der slowakischen Präsidentschaft und dem damit verbundenen Programm. Ich werde jedoch Synergien zwischen meiner Agenda und dem Präsidentschaftsprogramm unterstützen, um das Beste aus diesem „Zufall“ und den Verbindungen zu slowakischen Kollegen herauszuholen.

    Rotger Kindermann ist Vizepräsident der Europäischen Journalisten (EJ) und Korrespondent für das „Luxemburger Wort„.

    Artikel: https://www.euractiv.de/section/eu-innenpolitik/interview/wir-muessen-dem-fanatismus-den-boden-entziehen/

  • A Welcome Surprise: The First EU Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief Outside the EU

    On Friday 6 May, whilst Brussels was enjoying a bank holiday, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker announced the appointment of ex-Commissioner Jan Figel as the first EU Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) outside the EU.

    Why has this appointment been made?

    This appointment followed a little noticed paragraph in the European Parliament (EP) resolution on the systematic mass murder of religious minorities by the so-called ‘ISIS/Daesh’, which had called in paragraph 10 for such a posting. Calls made in EP resolutions are notoriously under-implemented; even the European External Action Service (EEAS) staff seemed to be taken by surprise by the announcement, which as it concerns FoRB outside the EU, falls under their remit.

    The appointment, thus, has left many in Brussels wondering what it will actually mean in practice. During his speech to the Vatican, President Juncker said that “Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental right which is part of the foundation of the European Union.” This is consistent with a growing importance being given to FoRB over the past couple of years; the EU Guidelines on this topic emerged in June 2013. In 2015, the European Parliament established an EP Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Religious Tolerance and the commission appointed coordinators on anti-Semitism and anti-Islamophobia within the EU.

    What is clear is that Jan Figel will act as a special advisor to Neven Mimicia, the European Commissioner for International Development. Whereas other advisors to commissioners have clearly defined mandates on the EC website, the fact that Jan Figel only has a title indicates that he will have some flexibility to shape his work.

    Why is it important?

    The will to mainstream freedom of religion or belief into the EU’s wider external agenda is a very welcome sign. Given the increasing number of FoRB violations taking place both inside and outside of Europe, there needs to be a push for an increased awareness of the need for FoRB and the way that it benefits communities. Pew’s most recent study on religious hostility worldwide found that 5.5 billion people worldwide live in countries with high or very high overall restrictions on religion. Several of these countries are recipients of EU development aid.

    “The will to mainstream freedom of religion or belief into the EU’s wider external agenda is a very welcome sign.”

    That said, given that the majority of those people are citizens of China and India, the world’s largest emerging economies, it may have been useful for Jan Figel to have also been made a special advisor to Cecilia Malmström, the European Commissioner for Trade. According to research by Dr Brian Grim, FoRB is good for business and countries with fewer restrictions on religion experience more investment and growth – so perhaps it’s an argument that can still be made.

    How much influence will the EU Special Envoy on FoRB outside the EU actually have?

    It remains to be seen what the relationship will be between the Special Envoy and Stavros Lambrinidis, the EU’s Special Representative for Human Rights and the EEAS. Given that the EEAS is responsible for arranging the EU’s human rights dialogues (bi-lateral talks that take place between the EU and third countries) it would be in the interests of coherence for Mr Figel to establish close contact with this institution.

    If Jan Figel uses the EU’s FoRB guidelines as a basis for his work, then he could play an instrumental role in pushing for their wider dissemination and implementation at the dialogues. He could also work to mainstream religious concerns more broadly in the EU’s peacekeeping initiatives. Mr Figel should strive to form a working group incorporating all of those concerned with different aspects of FoRB so as to ensure the coherence and consistency of EU action on the matter.

    “As the world becomes more polarised and people become more wary of one another, the promotion of FoRB provides for pluralism and peaceful co-existence.”

    With atheist bloggers being killed in Bangladesh, Yazidis and other religious minorities being massacred by Daesh (Islamic State), and religious leaders throughout the world being intimidated and arrested, FoRB is more important than ever. As the world becomes more polarised and people become more wary of one another, the promotion of FoRB provides for pluralism and peaceful co-existence. Mr Figel has the opportunity to bring together all of the elements of FoRB protection and promotion in the EU and move them forward to create a safer world for people of all faiths and none. Let’s hope he uses it.

    By Dr Susan Kerr and Claire Gilder, CSW’s Europe Office

    The article: https://forbinfull.org/2016/06/07/a-welcome-surprise-the-first-eu-special-envoy-on-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-outside-the-eu/#more-654