Religious Law and Human Rights

October 10, 2011, 12.00–13.30, Žofín Palace, Conference Hall

 

Moderator:

Prince El Hassan bin Talal, Chairman, West Asia-North Africa Forum, Jordan

Panel Discussion:

Michael Melchior, Politician, Chief Rabbi of Norway, Israel

Václav Malý, Titular Bishop of Marcellia and Auxiliary Bishop of Prague, Czech Republic

Geshe Tenzin Dhargye, Buddhist Scholar, Austria/Tibet

Shahira Amin, Journalist, Egypt

 

This panel discussed the possibilities of maintaining human rights and human dignity, while acknowledging and respecting the various religious laws people proscribe to. Prince El Hassan bin Talal emphasized the need for a regional bill of rights that would provide each religion, whether it be Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, etc with the basic rights belonging to all people.

 

Michael Melchior began the discussion noting that simply ignoring the religious elements does not solve the problem. He stated the common theme amongst all of the speakers, that it is through dialogue that peace will be achieved. “If God and God’s name only can be used to crush human dignity, to crush the other... then we do not need God in this world.”

 

Shahira Amin reiterated Melchior’s message, emphasizing the importance of people to people conversation. She added that children must begin to learn tolerance at a young age in school. Geshe Tenzin Dhargye maintained the importance of inner values and self discipline to create a better and more peaceful society.

 

Václav Malý echoed once again the importance of addressing religion when dealing with problems, stating that “Without religious background, we cannot speak about human rights, at least in Europe”. He also encouraged travel to countries where human rights are infringed in order to create a connection and to achieve a greater understanding of the problem. Prince El Hassan bin Talal closed the panel reminding listeners that we must encourage “conversation, not conversion”.