Parliamentarians draw attention to seeing freedom of religion or belief in broader context
Left to Right: Farahnaz Ispahani and Nqabayomzi Kwankwa
This 27th October, on the International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day, the two new IPPFoRB Steering Group parliamentarians draw attention to the importance of seeing this human right in a broader context, including its interconnections with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“There has been a positive shift in the way stakeholders, including parliamentarians, are engaging with the right to freedom of religion or belief. It’s dynamic and broader. This has enabled us to broaden our understanding of the ways discrimination is perpetrated every day and its impact on all areas of life”, said Farahnaz Ispahani, former Pakistani parliamentarian and a new member of the IPPFoRB Steering Group.
“The ongoing High-level dialogues on FoRB and SDGs as well as the advocacy statement are pushing boundaries and enabling us to find new opportunities and methods to approach shared issues in our societies”, she added.
This autumn, IPPFoRB together with the Freedom of Religion or Belief Leadership Network (FoRBLN), the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), African Parliamentarians Association for Human Rights (AfriPAHR), Religions for Peace (RfP) and UN’s Faith for Rights Initiative are organizing the pioneering High-level Dialogues on FoRB and the SDGs. The six Dialogues that focus on gender, education, health, climate change, and rule of law/freedom of expression in connection with FoRB brings together parliamentarians, faith leaders and civil society to listen, understand and act in order to address inequalities in a wholesome manner. The next Dialogue on FoRB and Education will be held on November 11 and more information can be found here.
In connection with these dialogues, on 23rd September, the day of the first High-level Dialogue on FoRB and SDGs and during the Global Week to #Act4SDGs, we launched the ‘Leaving No One Behind’ statement. Signed by almost 50 parliamentarians, faith leaders and civil society in their individual capacity, this unique call to action goes beyond commitment by asking signatories ‘to take action in solidarity with Agenda 2030, future sustainable development goals, and human rights’ so that no one is left behind because of their religion or belief.
The statement is open for signatures and will be shared with relevant UN authorities and media at the end of the Dialogue series in early 2022. Read and sign the statement here.
‘’This is a remarkable statement in the sense that it has been able to bring together different people, from different backgrounds and religions, to agree to ‘leaving no one behind’ in an attempt to both secure FoRB and accomplish the SDGs for everyone, everywhere’’, said Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, South Africa, new IPPFoRB Steering Group member and signatory to this statement.
‘’The International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day is a reminder that this human right is a cornerstone for inclusive, prosperous, and peaceful societies. The building of such societies requires that all of us contribute, even in the smallest ways!’’, he added.