The importance of upholding freedom of religion or belief, even at a time when religious fanaticism seems a major threat, was among the ideas presented at a forum here on Human Rights Day.

“At a time when religion is becoming the focus of discourses on the security of states, it is fundamental to ensure that the concept of the freedom of religion or belief is correctly understood and that its importance is not downplayed,” said Penelope Faulkner, board member of the European Platform against Religious Intolerance and Discrimination (EPRID), which organized the event, along with Elmar Brok MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee.

Held 10 December 2015, the event was moderated by Rachel Bayani, representative of the Brussels Office of the Baha’i International Community, which is a member of the EPRID.

“At the heart of the work of EPRID lies the understanding that human conscience distinguishes itself through the possibility to search for meaning, and as such to hold a belief of one’s choosing,” said Ms. Bayani. “We believe that without this possibility, the capacity inherent in each individual cannot find expression and that as a result any society-building process is hampered.”

The keynote speaker was Heiner Bielefeldt, the UN special rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, who said it is a “dangerous misconception to assume that violence stems from the center of the religious beliefs themselves.”

“There is a connection between violence and religion,” said Prof. Bielefeldt. “But this connection is brought about by human beings.”

The event was co-chaired by Andrew Lewer MEP, member of the EP Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Religious Tolerance, and attended by MEPs and staff, diplomats, officials from EU institutions, religious leaders and human rights defenders from the EU and Asia.

For a more on the event, please see this story on the EPRID website.