Foundation of unity

In every country where the people’s rights for freedom of religion has been violated – and even threatened – "the society itself is at risk". This was one of the main concerns emerged during the dialogue seminar promoted by COMECE (Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community) and CEC (ecumenical body of European Churches) held in Brussels.Inside and outside the EU. "Freedom of Religion is actually an important indicator for assessing the implementation of Fundamental Rights as a whole", states a release on the outcome of the seminar. The Church and Society Commission of CEC and COMECE thus requested the European Commission and the European External Action Service to clearly monitor violations of Freedom of Religion both within the EU and throughout the world. During the seminar, "the churches presented their assessment of the recent violations of religious freedom". Msgr. Joseph Coutts, Archbishop of Karachi, and Paul Bhatti, the brother of Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, assassinated a year ago, presented a report on the situation of Christians and other minorities in Pakistan. As in a number of other countries, "although religious freedom is officially granted in Pakistan, the facts show that religious minorities suffer from violence and the exercise of pressure" of different kinds. Citizens like others. Religious minorities – was reiterated at the CEC-COMECE meeting -, whether they are Christians or faithful from other religions, "do not claim a special status or protection, but simply access to ‘common citizenship". Msgr. Coutts pointed out: "They are full citizens of their countries and should simply be granted their legitimate rights as citizens". The representatives of the External Action Service that took part in the meeting shared their intention to enhance the monitoring of Religious Freedom violations "through a more systematic and coordinated strategy at EU level"."Good practices". Canon Gary Wilton, from the Church of England, proposed several best practices on educational cultural programs for the prevention and awareness of the freedom of worship and religion. Canon Wilton underlined the need for the insertion of conditionality clauses relating to respect for human rights in Trade Agreements concluded by the EU with third-countries. These conditionality clauses "need to be made more effective, especially with regard to religious freedom". COMECE and CEC delegates pointed out that the respect for the fundamental right of the freedom of worship should become a preliminary condition in the negotiations with countries which intend to join the EU."Public" dimension. From the seminar held at the end of March it also emerged that the main reference point for EU policies on human rights is Article 2 EU Treaty, while the right to religious freedom is based on Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. "The EU institutions should ensure that it is not simply an individualistic interpretation of this fundamental right which is promoted but that this is also broadened out to fully include its social and institutional dimension", continues the COMECE-CEC release". Peter Krömer, from the Protestant Church AB in Austria, and Rev Anthony Peck, Secretary General of the European Baptist Federation, emphasized in their presentations "the need to pay special attention to the implementation of the rights of minority churches and religious communities under the anti-discrimination provisions".Discriminations report. The Churches asked the Fundamental Rights Agency "to produce a survey on discrimination based on the grounds of freedom of religion in EU Member States and in applicant countries". The release on the seminar held in Brussels concludes reiterating that respect for freedom of religion is at the very heart of our living together in Europe and allows the promotion of ‘Unity in Diversity’ and that, in this regard, "it is important, in this regard, to acknowledge the positive role that religion plays in public life and in society".