Human Rights Manual for European Churches
Churches see the struggle for human rights as a gospel
imperative. Their pastoral and diaconal work enables them to speak
authoritatively about human rights abuses at the grassroots. The
Churches' work for human rights must be not only pastoral and diaconal
but also prophetic. Their detailed local knowledge as well as their
access to government makes it possible for them to campaign effectively
against human rights abuses.
Download the Manual by clicking the title above.
Human Rights and Religious Freedom
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Consultation "Human Rights begin within the Churches"
3 - 5 May 2010
Hildesheim – Himmelsthür Germany
INVITATION PRESS RELEASE
On 3-5 May 2010, the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CSC of CEC) will hold a Consultation on Human Rights begin within the churches, which is related to the project “Human Rights Manual for European Churches”. The Consultation will bring together representatives of CEC member churches and associated organisations that are actively involved in human rights issues, as well as the authors of the Human Rights Manual.
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- Human Rights Seminar: Religious Freedom and Holy Sites in the Republic of Cyprus (Photo: CEC/Elizabeta Kitanovic)
Religious Freedom and the Holy Sites in the Republic of Cyprus
Contributions to the seminar organised in the European Parliament by the Church and Society Commission of CEC and the Representation of the Church of Cyprus to the EU.
Contribution from the Rev. Rüdiger Noll, Director of the Church and Society Commission of CEC and the Associate General Secretary of CEC.
"... No wonder, therefore, that the Conference of European Churches at almost all of its Assemblies and at almost each meeting of its governing bodies addressed the issue of the divided Cyprus. And from their own involvement in the history of a divided Europe, the churches knew very well that where there is a political division, justice suffers, the implementation of human rights suffers, people suffer, peace is in danger."
Contribution from the Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II
"... We ask the European Union to support our demand strongly and powerfully and to work systematically and effectively in order to restore and ensure respect for religious freedoms in the occupied part of our island; to put an end to the looting and plundering of our sacred sites and monuments and to protect our religious sites. In order for this to be achieved, we repeat, it is necessary that the occupying troops and settlers withdraw from Cyprus."
Contribution from H.E. Youssef Soueif, Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus
"... When dealing with such situations in countreis like ours, and in front of so many political and social complications, it is very correct and wise to provide open access to all the religious places that remain signs of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. It is both a humane and a religious gesture."
Contribution from Dr. Antranik Ashdjian, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Armenian National Administration of Cyprus
"... Under UN protection, our community has twice so far been allowed to hold pilgrimages to the Monastery of Sourp Magar, on the First Sunday of May 2007 and 2009. The date was symbolic, as it coincided with the traditional feast of the Monastery, but the pilgrimage and subsequent assembly in the desecrated church of the Monastery fell short of the religious ceremonies that were permormed during that day prior to the Turkish invasion of 1974."
Contribution from His Grace Bishop Porfyrios, Director of the Office of the Church of Cyprus to the European Institutions
"... The contents of religious monuments have been stolen and a large number of these have been exported for sale to collectors and auction houses. More than 15,000 icons, iconostases, holy implements, gospels, mosaics and murals dating from the 6th to the 20th century have been removed and have disappeared. Only a very few items have been discovered and repatriated."
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Minimal Standards for Churches and Communities of Faith and Conviction, 21 November 2009. German, English
Flyer: Hearing on Minimal Rights for Churches and Communities of Faith and Convictions, Lyon July 2009.
Report from the 13th CEC Assembly, Lyon, July 2009; Workshop on "Human Rights begin within the Churches", Chair: Father Hovakim Manukyan, Rapporteur; Rev. Peter Ciaccio.
- Regarding priorities towards Churches, participants expressed their interest and approval of the process to publish and implement the Human Rights Training Manual. They suggested having a Consultation on the subject, human rights seminars and debates. In other words, the CSC should facilitate churches' human rights' trainings in the future and use the Human Rights Training Manual for this purpose. <//span>21 November 2009
Human Rights Courts decision on the case concering the desplay of the crucifix in State schools. 3 November 2009, Strasbourg
-In the case of Lautsi vs Italy, the Court found a violation of the right to education taken jointly with the freedom of thought, consicence and religion...
Response to the Request for comments and suggestions for follow-up to the Annual Report 2009 of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency by the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches
Upon the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) request for comments and suggestions for the follow-up to the Annual Report 2009, in accordance with article 10(4.b) of FRA’s Regulations, the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches, as a member of the Fundamental Rights Platform, would like to congratulate FRA on the work done on the Annual Report 2009, which this time covers a much broader range of thematic areas, taking in other fundamental rights issues which now fall within the scope of the FRA’s expanded mandate.
October 2009
Statement of the Conference of European Churches by the occasion of the 2009 OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting;Freedom of Religion or Belief for All:
The Conference of European Churches welcomes the work done by the OSCE/ODIHR Advisory Panel on Freedom of Religion or Belief in promoting freedom of religion or belief, in undertaking important studies and in providing legal expertise to Participating States. We, therefore, recommend to OSCE Participating States as well as to OSCE Field Operations to...
October 1009
Council of Europe’s Recommendation on Human Rights of Members of the Armed Forces - June 2009
This Recommendation concerns human rights and fundamental freedoms of the members of the armed forces in the context of their work and service life. The reference to both work and service life is made by reason of the special characteristics of military life, during and outside working time.
The Report of the Second meeting of the Fundamental Rights Platform Vienna (5- 6 May 2009)
The second meeting of the Fundamental Rights Platform of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) took place from 5-6 May in Vienna. Ninety-three European Human Rights experts from civil society were glad to see that the EU Fundamental Rights Agency sticks to the commitment to continue the cooperation with the Civil Society.
The CSC of CEC contribution to the 2010 Work Programme of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)- 11 February 2009
As a member of the European Union Fundamental Rights Platform, the Church and Society Commission (CSC) of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) welcomes the invitation to offer suggestions for FRA’s Work Programme 2010. The proposals in this paper have been developed in close cooperation with the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME).
Human Rights Sermon on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary - Anglican Chaplaincy in Strasbourg - Reverend John Murray - 7 December 2008
I am glad that the Conference of European Churches has seen the importance of this anniversary and has produced the cards that you have all received this morning – reminders of the intimate relationship between human rights and the Christian gospel. So that's why I’m talking about human rights this morning. Not because it's a fashionable modern cause, but because it's a deeply Christian cause...
The CSC of CEC remarks on the 60th Anniversary of Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR). 25 November 2008
We kindly invite you to observe this anniversary by using these cards and distributing them in your church, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration by reaffirming our ongoing commitment to human rights. We also invite you to pray for those who need human rights’ protection...
Download Human Rights Card (PDF file) here in English - in French - in German
Download Human Rights Bookmark (PDF file) here in English - in French - in German
Please find the translations of the texts for the Human Rights card and bookmark in the following languages:
Finish
Italian
Greek
Polish
Serbian
Swedish
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