WUNRN

http://www.wunrn.com

 

WUNRN, Women’s UN Report Network, is based on the UN Resolution on the Status of Women, Freedom of Religion or Belief, and Traditions.

http://www.wunrn.com/un_study/un_study.htm

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Also Via Human Rights Without Frontiers

 

http://ippforb.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IPPFoRB-Logo-1-300.png

International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief

 

http://ippforb.com/about/

About IPPFoRB

The International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) is an informal network of parliamentarians and legislators from around the world committed to combatting religious persecution and advancing freedom of religion or belief, as defined by Article 18 of the UN Universal Declaration for Human Rights.

Article 18 declares, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

At a time of rising violations of freedom of religion or belief around the globe, the IPPFoRB seeks to advance this fundamental freedom for everyone everywhere.

The IPPFoRB is centered around the Oslo Charter for Freedom of Religion or Belief.  The Oslo Charter was signed in November 2014 by over 30 parliamentarians from around the world at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway.

All participating parliamentarians are committed to accomplishing shared goals of advancing freedom of religion or belief, as outlined below in the Oslo Charter:

·         Promote freedom of religion or belief for all persons through their work and respective institutions;

·         Enhance global cooperation by endeavoring to work across geographical, political, and religious lines; and

·         Undertake efforts to jointly promote freedom of religion or belief, share information, and mobilize effective responses.

The Oslo Charter guides the work of parliamentarians joining the IPPFoRB and commits them to action.  Towards this goal, the IPPFoRB:

·         Responds to cases where religious freedom is threated. To date the IPP has written several letters to heads of state to raise concerns about religious freedom issues – Burma, Pakistan, and North Korea.

·         Encourages the formational of national groupings of parliamentarians committed to combatting religious persecution and advancing freedom of religion or belief. To date the IPP has assisted the efforts of parliamentarians in Brazil.

·         Supports parliamentarians around the world who stand up for religious freedom often at significant personal risk to themselves. The IPPFoRB’s website provides a secure space for parliamentarians to seek support and advice in the area of religious freedom.

There is no formal membership, but the IPPFoRB welcomes parliamentarians from around the world committed to combatting religious persecution and advancing freedom of religion or belief for all, as defined by UDHR Article.  The IPPFoRB is committed to regional, political, and religious diversity.

There is no official IPPFoRB office.  Parliamentarians participate as individuals not representing their parliament or government.  Meetings occur on an ad hoc basis, subject to funding.  The IPP is led by an informal steering committee and a volunteer secretariat of advisors.

 

Despite this global crisis for religious freedom, people who cherish this right are found across the globe. Now, people around the world must speak for the persecuted with one powerful, united voice.

in New York, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) took its latest step in promoting that aim, bringing together like-minded people from nearly 50 countries for an unprecedented meeting. Cosponsored by the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPP), the gathering included more than 100 parliamentarians as well as diplomats and civil society and religious leaders. They met next to the United Nations, where the General Assembly is now in its 70th annual session.

 

Highlights Included:

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https://freedomdeclared.org/news/new-york-resolution-for-freedom-of-religion-or-belief/

 

 

NEW YORK RESOLUTION FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF

 

September 23, 2015

 

 

Cognizant that severe violations of freedom of religion or belief continue to occur around the world, perpetrated by states, state proxies, and non-state actors;

Taking note of studies indicating an increase in restrictions on the free practice of religion or belief, with the majority of the global population living in countries where their freedom to peacefully practice their faith could be or is restricted;

Whereas in response to these violations, a group of parliamentarians gathered in Oxford, England, in June 2014 to discuss ways to confront the abuses;

Recalling that at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway, parliamentarians from around the world gathered in November 2014 to pledge to advance religious freedom for all and launched the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief;

Reaffirming the Charter for Freedom of Religion or Belief signed in Oslo that commits parliamentarians to support Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the right of individuals to hold or not to hold any faith or belief, to change belief, to be free from coercion to adopt a different belief, and to peacefully practice the faith of their choice alone or in community with others;

Welcoming the creation of panels in domestic parliaments since the Oslo meeting, including in Brazil, Norway, and Pakistan, and existing bipartisan caucuses in Canada, the European Parliament, the United Kingdom, and the United States;

Taking note of and welcoming the creation of the International Contact Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief networking likeminded governments committed to advancing freedom of religion or belief around the world;

Appreciating the critically important work of civil society organizations, religious leaders, and individuals in academia who are endeavoring to advance freedom of religion or belief with their communities of influence and societies at large;

Now, in New York, on 19 September 2015, the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief commit to pursue efforts that:

Signed by Parliamentarians in attendance at the September, 2015 conference in New York, “Multinational Efforts to Strengthen Freedom of Religion or Belief“.