International

Freedom of religion and conviction are under pressure throughout the world, but the European Parliament, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and the UN intend to work more closely together to turn the tide. That was the message today at the presentation in the European Parliament of the first annual report of the working group on freedom of religion or belief organised by SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong and Peter van Dalen of the Dutch party the Christian Union. ‘Both the UN Special Rapporteur on the issue Heiner Bielefeldt and Vice-Chair of USCIRF Dr Katrina Swett see the report as a good basis for more intensive cooperation with the EP working group,’ says De Jong. ‘Amongst the more than two hundred participants from numerous religious and non-religious organisations there was a lot of support for the report’s recommendations. The contribution from a delegation of religious leaders from Iraq was particularly impressive. These leaders promote interreligious dialogue, especially among young people, sometimes putting their own lives in danger. This sort of initiative should be supported wherever possible by the EU and the member states.’