The conference, organized by civil society organizations in Morocco with the support of the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), aims to mobilize support for a global campaign to establish international standards to prevent religious discrimination and exclusion and protect human rights from all forms of extremism and political exploitation of religions.
This initiative, launched by the NGO “BPUR International” and supported by international personalities from different countries and cultures, is based on a new approach that advocates a greatest respect for all religions and aims to legislate clear, precise and specific international legal standards.
Speaking at the opening session of this conference, CNDH President Amina Bouayach said that the circles of intolerance and cross-border violence based on the rejection of individuals or groups, and sometimes even societies, are growing day by day as a result of the profound changes in global values.
The relationship between religions and human rights in times characterized by cooperation, reflects the common belief in the universality of human dignity in religions, philosophies and civilizations, she added, noting that the differences of peoples in culture, behavior, religion and politics do not hide the existence of common denominators between them.
Bouayach recalled in this regard the approach adopted by national institutions to rehabilitate and reintegrate people convicted of violent extremism, such as the program “Mousalaha”, which is implemented in partnership between the CNDH, the Rabita Mohammadia of Ulemas and the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Rehabilitation.
In a video address, former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Rowan Williams said that people use religions to spread ideas of hostility and hatred for personal ends.
The presence of religion should go in the direction of achieving human dignity and strengthening common points between people, away from any political exploitation, he added.
Participants in this two-day event will discuss various topics related to international standards prohibiting the use of religion for political purposes.
Source: Agency Morocaine De Presse