Conscience and Liberty Event in Geneva

On June 10, 2014 at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, a panel was organized on “Worldwide Human Rights, Religious Liberty and Religious Minorities: ‘Dialogue Five’ – Developing a Holistic Framework”. This took place during the 26th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). It was sponsored by the AIDLR (Association Internationale de Defense de la Liberte Religieuse), an IRLA partner association and the permanent delegations at The Council of Europe and the Republic of Uruguay.

The panel brought together representatives from international, regional and national institutions proposing synergy between a network of relevant stakeholders –what AIDLR has named ‘Dialogue Five’ as a platform for the next Congress proposed by AIDLR to take place at the 28th Session of HRC on March 9-11, 2015.

The panel provided an opportunity for participants to share information on the International Conference hosted in Madrid on January 17, 2013 at the University of Complutense, with the participation of guests representing the United Nations, The European Court of Human Rights, The European Parliament, the government of Spain; religious and international scholars, diplomats and NGOs.

According to Heiner Bielefeldt, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, the International Conference organized by AIDLR “sets an example”, that “we should copy”; “we should establish that on a regular basis in fact”.

Mrs. Laura Dupuy Lassere, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Uruguay to the United Nations in Geneva and former President of the Human Rights Council, focused on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, fundamental rights that include freedom of speech and of conscience. She said: "We have to prevent religious intolerance through education, professional training and prevention”.

Dr. Ganoune Diop, Representative of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) to the UN in New York and Geneva, Adviser Interfaith Relations, Washington, DC, said: "We need a culture of human dignity. Root cause of suffering is despising the infinite worth and dignity of every person. There is a need to develop a culture not only of human rights but of individual dignity. Success in this area could reverse several dysfunctions."

Panelists included: Dr. Bruno Vertallier, AIDLR’s President; Prof. Jose-Miguel Serrano Ruiz Calderon, researcher and Professor at the Human Rights Institute of the Universidad Complutense of Madrid; Dr. Petru Dumitriu, Ambassador and Permanent Observer of the Council of Europe to the United Nations in Geneva; Mrs. Rita Izsak, special rapporteur of the United Nations on Minority Issues;
Dr. Ricardo Garcia-Garcia, Deputy Director of the General Ministry of Justice in Spain; Dr. Ganoune Diop, representative of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) to the United Nations in New York and Geneva; Dr. Harry Kuhalampi, former advisor at the European Parliament and Petre Roman, former Prime Minister of Romania.

Moderator Dr. Liviu Olteanu, Secretary General of AIDLR, Permanent Representative at the UN, concluded the debate inviting all participants "to be pioneers in Religious Freedom. Everybody needs to acknowledge his/her responsibility and to support this mission in a cooperative way."