14/08/2013
International Perspectives on Religious Freedom (EN)
Category Archives: International Religious Freedom
COMECE supports an ambitious and coherent human rights’ policy based on the transcendent dignity of every human being.
While embracing the vision that the fundamental and inalienable right to religious freedom is the cornerstone of all human rights, it supports the view that EU decision-makers and officers should pay special attention to this fundamental right, in particular in its external relations.
To promote religious freedom and more generally, peace, justice and liberty, COMECE is also involved in ecumenical, intercultural and interreligious dialogues.
News
Religious Freedom Guidelines: a welcome step forward
Press 25/06/2013: COMECE welcomes the adoption today by the Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the EU of New “EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief“. This new instrument provides the staff in the EEAS (External Action service), EU Delegations, Representations and Embassies with an operational set of tools to be used in relations with third-countries. It is designed … Continue reading
News
Discrimination of Christians in Europe: freedom of religion must also be ensured for Christians
On 2 October, with the participation of several high-level speakers form various countries, the EPP Group, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), and the ECR Group organised a half-day seminar in the European Parliament dedicated to assessing the current situation of Christians and freedom of religion in Europe. Speakers agreed that significant efforts are required to eliminate discriminatory actions against … Continue reading
Event
Seminar on Discrimination of Christians in Europe
For the second consecutive year, COMECE organises a half-day Seminar on Intolerance and Discrimination of Christians in Europe in cooperation with the Group of European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR Group) and the Group of the European People’s Party (EPP Group) in the European Parliament. Tuesday, 2nd October 9.30 – 13.00 Room JAN 6Q2 European Parliament, Brussels Interpretation : FR, DE, ES, EN, IT, PL This … Continue reading
News
Christians in the Arab World: One year after the Arab Spring
To what extent is the ‘Arab Spring’ meeting the demands for more liberal values such as democracy and human rights? Will the diverse communities and cultures be respected? These were some of the questions raised during a half-day seminar on Wednesday 9 May, which was co-organised by the EPP and ECR political groups together with COMECE. Witnesses hailing from different parts of the Middle East … Continue reading
Press Release
Dialogue Seminar with the EU Commision on Religious – Freedom Freedom of Religion: the EU should set the standard on this central Human Right
In every country where the people’s rights of freedom of religion has been violated – and even threatened -, the society itself is at risk. Freedom of Religion is actually an important indicator for assessing the implementation of Fundamental Rights as a whole. The EU should therefore more clearly monitor violations of Freedom of Religion both within the EU and throughout the world. This was … Continue reading
24/11/2011
COMECE Reflection on the EU Roma Framework (EN)
Event
“Christian Churches in Maghreb and Mashriq”
How can we understand the current developments in the Middle East and Northern Africa from an Indigenous (native) Christian Perspective? What are the effects of the “Arab Revolution” for religious freedom in the Middle East? Within the context of its Spring Plenary Assembly from 6-8 April, the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) is pleased to invite you to an EVENING DEBATE … Continue reading
News
Persecution of Christians finally given the attention it deserves. Concrete political action is now needed
COMECE greatly values today’s EU Council’s Conclusions on “intolerance, discrimination and violence on the basis of religion or belief” as a good step in the right direction. The fusion of ‘common sense’ and ‘political will’ has prevailed to secure the strong statement urgently needed to stop the widespread acts of terrorism and sectarianism against Christians worldwide. In paragraph 2 the Council condemns the acts of … Continue reading
News
Persecution of Christians: a most regrettable wavering on a strong diplomatic EU commitment
COMECE very much regrets that the 27 Foreign Ministers of the EU failed yesterday to agree on a joint declaration condemning religious persecution. This diplomatic wavering is all the more incomprehensible as innocent lives are being cut short in atrocious attacks against Christians and other minorities all over the world. The agreement failed due to internal wrangling among the Ministers over a specific reference to … Continue reading