A “Faith for Rights” Approach to Promoting Sustainable Peace
How the Combination of Religion and Human Rights Advocacy Can Help Inform Sustainable Peace
As the world celebrates International Human Rights Day and the 29th anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities this December, it’s important to acknowledge the significant contributions of religious actors and religious values in the advocacy and advancement of human rights. From taking a stand against discrimination and hate speech to promoting minority rights, religious actors are often well-positioned to help lead in the fight to guarantee human rights for all. And with the intrinsic link between human rights and peacebuilding, religious actors have a unique opportunity to both bolster and leverage their leadership on human rights to create partnerships for peace.
The #Faith4Rights Toolkit from the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) offers a way for religious actors, policymakers and practitioners to explore these links, serving as a practical guide for engaging in human rights promotion in a variety of environments.
On December 16, USIP and OHCHR held a conversation about religious actors’ support for human rights promotion, the #Faith4Rights Toolkit and how the intersection of religion and human rights can help inform sustainable peace. This discussion featured expert practitioners, including faith-based actors themselves, who drew on their own experiences and research to examine the key factors and contributions — current, historic and potential — of religious actors in supporting and guaranteeing human rights for all.
Speakers
Palwasha Kakar, opening remarks
Acting Director, Religion and Inclusive Societies, U.S. Institute of Peace
Ibrahim Salama, opening remarks
Chief, Human Rights Treaties Branch, OHCHR
Mostafa Betaree
Director of Spotlight Team International Art and former OHCHR Minority Fellow
Mounir Elkadery Boudshish
President of the Foundation Al-Moultaqa and director of the international Sufi forum
Nosy Ramamonjisoa
Human Rights Treaties Branch, OHCHR
Knox Thames,
Senior Visiting Expert, U.S. Institute of Peace
Melissa Nozell, moderator
Program Officer, Religion and Inclusive Societies, U.S. Institute Peace
Michael Wiener, moderator
Rule of Law, Equality and Non-discrimination Branch, OHCHR
Ibrahim Salama, closing remarks
Chief, Human Rights Treaties Branch, OHCHR
