Learning through experience: Reflections from the first High-level Dialogue on FoRB and SDGs
Last month, we hosted our first High-level Dialogue on 'Applying a FoRB lens to achieving the SDGs'. As part of sharing learnings from these Dialogues, this article lays out the different themes and issues explored by participants during the webinar together with recommendations and a way forward.
Intending to explore the role of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in achieving inclusive, sustainable and equitable societies, the High-level Dialogue on 23rd September saw 96 participants from 15 countries, including a wide variety of parliamentarians, faith leaders and human rights actors, come together to engage, listen and learn to 'leave no one behind'.
The Dialogue was first in a series of High-level Dialogues on FoRB and SDGs hosted between September 2021 and February 2022, which tackle the connections between FoRB and the following SDGs – gender, education, the rule of law/freedom of expression, health and climate change. The series is organized by Freedom of Religion or Belief Leadership Network (FoRBLN), IPPFoRB, Danish Institute for Human Rights, Religions for Peace, African Parliamentarians Association for Human Rights and the UN's Faith for Rights Initiative.
The consultation provided opening remarks from Dr Marie Juul Petersen (Senior Researcher, Danish Institute for Human Rights), the author of the 'Leave No One Behind' briefing paper. She was followed by Prof. Azza Karam (General Secretary Religions for Peace), Hon. Nqabayomzi Kwankwa (MP, South Africa, IPPFoRB Steering Group Member and Chair of AfriPAHR Steering Committee) and Ahmed Shaheed (UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief).
In their presentations, the speakers emphasized the importance of creating spaces where unique learning experiences are shared about how FoRB is challenged daily across the world. This proved helpful when participants went into regional/national breakout groups where they got the opportunity to speak about their personal experiences. Such spaces of engagement help create a low threshold for diverse perspectives and meaningful reflections around how 'being left behind' can differ based on various countries, communities and specific angles.
In the breakout groups, three main questions were discussed: What does 'being left behind' look like in your country, your country's opportunities, and the challenges?
Being left behind – a discussion on FoRB in a regional context
COX'S BAZAR, BANGLADESH: Rohingyas who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, wait for their turn to collect food aid near Kutupalong refugee camp, Bangladesh. Photo Credit: Sk Hasan Ali/Shutterstock.com
"Those who suffer from 'being left behind' suffer across all themes, from gender violence to the effects of climate change."
– Participant from Bangladesh
The lack of freedom of religion or belief, or its restriction, was a common thread in the different discussions. Religious minorities, indigenous people and women were specially mentioned as groups at risk of 'being (or already are) left behind' in society or communities.
In Pakistan, it was mentioned how religious minorities are deprived of their rights and are economically, socially and politically excluded. In turn, these communities risk becoming more ghettoized, which might lead to accessibility challenges. The East Africa group with representatives from Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi also mentioned that minority religions have fewer rights than the majority religions and that minority views are often not considered.
Even though secularism is one of the pillars in Bangladesh and the government is committed to ensuring FoRB, minorities are still subject to discrimination. They are often defined as 'backwards classes' – meaning there is a discrepancy between government intention and reality.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands: May 4th 2017 Commemoration Day of the dead flowers and wreath in front of the Holocaust Museum in the Jewish Cultural Quarter in Amsterdam. Photo Credit: Fortgens Photography/ Shuttertock.com
"The leaders are not listening to the minorities. The SDGs have no relevance because there is no respect for minorities except Hindus. Neither the constitution nor the laws ensure FoRB."
– Participant from Nepal
A participant from Myanmar expressed that there is no FoRB in their country, and religious persecution and exclusion have been systematic and widespread, especially after the coup in February 2021. Women are especially at risk and experience general prevention from accessing fundamental rights that are crucial if the SDGs are to be realized.
The European group also discussed religious discrimination. Anti-Semitism was mentioned to be on the rise in the Netherlands. There is no mention of FoRB in international development in Sweden, despite being one of the significant contributors to foreign aid. Representatives from the Balkan countries expressed problems around the patriarchal framework and how FoRB and gender equality must be addressed to avoid leaving women behind. Meaning that there are quite a few similarities between FoRB in Europe, East Africa and Southeast Asia, even though the situations might not be as extreme in direct comparison.
Making changes – opportunities and recommendations
"I want to see democracy, freedom and the rule of law."
- Participant from Myanmar
For the second part of the discussion, participants were invited to set out the opportunities for change within their respective countries and the challenges that they might face. Here as well, there were many similarities across the different groups. Changes to national curriculums to enhance education were seen as one opportunity, as it is often at the basis of exclusion of minorities and leads to further societal marginalization. In this context, it is also an opportunity to encourage inter-religious Dialogue, to strengthen inclusion, equality and non-discrimination, demonstrating that religious values and the values underlying Agenda 2030 are compatible and mutually reinforcing.
Nyaungshwe, Myanmar: Myanmar people took to the streets to protest against the military coup in March 2021. Photo Credit: R. Bociaga/Shutterstock.com
"We need to see how we can integrate minorities and FoRB in our day-to-day life."
- Participant from Pakistan
On the other hand, affirmative actions like the 5% job quota for minorities and quota for minorities' political representation and focus on women can also function to prohibit the exclusion of minorities. However, in most cases, this is easier said than done. There was a recognition that more work needs to be done with religious leaders and parliamentarians to ensure that they are aware that FoRB is about protecting the rights of all individuals, including those from non-traditional religious and belief communities. Individuals from these communities have an even more challenging path to equality if government Ministers and officials are not committed to human rights.