“The hierarchisation of human rights is a grave obstacle to their promotion and protection”, reaffirmed COMECE during the Article 17 TFEU Dialogue Seminar on “Religion and Human Rights within the EU: A Shared Responsibility”, held at the European Parliament on 4 December with representatives of churches and religious communities.
(Credit: COMECE)
The event took place on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), considered by COMECE as the text that defines the concept of shared responsibility with regard to human rights.
Mgr. Hoogenboom, President of the COMECE Legal Affairs Commission, stressed the crucial importance of promoting and protecting the fundamental right to freedom of religion for all. He underlined “the obligation for the EU institutions, as well as for national authorities, to fully apply the right to freedom of religion and to prevent discrimination of people regardless of their affiliation to majority or minority religious denominations”.
“Religion can be, and must be, a reality that brings people together, building bridges between them”, stated Fr. Olivier Poquillon OP, General Secretary of COMECE. Also in view of the 2019 EU elections, he invited all people of good will to discernment and responsibility in order to put the human person at the core of public policies.
While highlighting the importance of respecting the hierarchy of norms and fostering a rights-based apparoach, Fr. Poquillon OP added that “the search for common good goes through mutual respect, not only through so-called tolerance”.
The event, organised by MEP Mairead McGuinness, First Vice President of the European Parliament, saw also the contribution of Michael O’Flaherty, Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), as well as a delegation of French Bishops officially visiting the EU institutions.
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