“Human rights, more than ever!” is the title of a meeting to be held in Paris from 15 to 16 October at the initiative of Justice & Peace France, of the Catholic Institute of Paris, of ACAT ( Action contre le torture) and of the Faculty of Protestant Theology of Paris. “The dynamics of human rights seem to have broken down”, say the organisers and ask themselves what has caused this to happen. “An increase in claims for new rights? Consequences of the war against terrorism? Doubts in the West concerning its own identity and values? All these reasons have to be considered, but the most important thing is to react”. Moreover, say the organisers, “we must ask ourselves about the foundations of human rights, especially as Christians. … Perhaps the moment has come to enrich this debate by making more explicit those convictions that inspire the Christian commitment to human rights”. Among the speakers at the meeting will be Antoine Garapon, secretary general of the Institute for Higher Studies on Justice, Pierre Saglio, president of Atd-Quart monde, Genevieve Medevielle, of the Catholic Institute of Paris, Robert Philipoussi, theologian and pastor of the Reform Church, and Myriam Revault d’Allonnes, of the University of Rouen.
