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Hisham Aljundi
Doha
THE religious perspective on human rights in times of peace and conflict, the position of heavenly laws and international laws on the blockading states, and the protection of civilians from the dangers of military operations were discussed by the participants at the 13th Doha Conference on Interfaith Dialogue on Wednesday.
Warning of current challenges to the promotion of those rights in the world, the participants presented successful experiences from Argentina, Portugal, Nepal and Croatia to integrate religious values into human rights laws, including constitutional legislation derived from the laws of religions.
They noted the responsibility of international law to protect vulnerable religious groups and minorities, to combat religious terrorism and ethnic cleansing in addition to fighting discrimination on religious grounds.
Underlining the approach of human rights in Islam and its relationship with international legitimacy, Morocco's Minister of State for Human Rights Mustapha Ramid said treaties like the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and covenants, agreements that support the oppressed, are required in Islam regardless of its parties, contexts and the circumstances of their conclusion.
In his speech on behalf of the Moroccan minister, Abdel Wahid al Atheer, chief of staff at the ministry of state in charge of human rights, referred to some convergence and intersections between some formulations in the international legitimacy of human rights and Quranic verses.
On his part, Mohamad Anwari from Nepal said human rights are central to international legislation, lauding the Doha Conference for Interfaith Dialogue for its interest in this vital subject.
He stressed that religions are a factor of stability and peace in the world and not a source of violence and terrorism. He called for the extension of religious freedoms and the protection of the rights of minorities in the world.
Lawyer and politician at the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism in Argentina Claudio Presman underlined the importance of including religious practices and constitutional freedoms in legislation, pointing to the experience of Argentina in this context.
Prof Jorge Bacelar Gouveia from the University of Lisbon pointed out that the Portuguese domestic laws that promote religious freedom and practice in the country have granted various minorities their full religious rights.
