A cause for concern in Europe – Freedom of opinion, religion and belief. Persecution of and discrimination against minority-groups.

This October, 2013, in Brusells, Soteria International co-organized an event together with the European Interreligious Forum for Religious Freedom (EIFRF), United Sikh International, European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion (EMISCO), Federation Pro Europa Christiana, Coordination des Associations et des Citoyens pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAPLC Europe), Forum for Religious Freedom (FOREF). The stated purpose of the event was to inform the interested public about the politics of repression which is sadly still going on nowadays in what regards certain religious minorities of Europe and to raise attention to the threat of such politics in a democratic European Union. Speakers made the audience aware of the break of international human rights in such cases and also tried to provide beneficial examples that co-exist in Europe with such dubious practices.

Godfrey Bloom, from Britain, opened the event with his introductory speech on the kindred of all people disregard of their religion. He was followed by Father Aelthwine from the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Europe, introducing the first panel, which included Eric Roux (Steering Committee of EIFRF), Bashy Quraishy (Secretary General EMISCO – Strasbourg and Chairman of the Advisory Council European Network Against Racism – Brussels), Jasvir Singh (United Sikhs International) and Paul Herzog Von Oldenburg (Coordinator: International Federation, Pro Europa Christiana).

The first panel referred to the treatment of religious minorities in France, sometimes abusive and in danger of spreading in Europe, providing personal stories and also rising awareness on similar cases from Austria, Belgium, Germany and Russia.

Eric Roux, from the Steering Committee of EIFRF, referred particularly to the case of France, its discriminatory practices, the governmental agency MIVILUDES which fights against sects or cults without discrimination and the negative practices taking place in France, such as state funding for anti-sect associations which in fact may violate human rights and disregard the religious rights of certain people. He also mentions the case of FECRIS and the danger of these discriminatory practices being exported to neighbor countries, such as Belgium and proposes education of population as a remedy for these situations.

Bashy Quraishy, Secretary General EMISCO in Strasbourg and Chairman of the Advisory Council European Networka Racism, raised the alarm on the European trend of increasing restrictions on freedom of religion and the general prejudices he still encounters in Europeans- a troublesome example being that of anti-sect movements all around the continent. He also referred to the case of France, mentioning Miviludes, the anti-sect governmental body and the discriminatory campaigns from Austria, Belgium, Germany and Russia. He also discussed the case of FECRIS and his unpleasant experience regarding them. EMISCO through Mr. Quirashy suggests more co-operation is needed and welcomes more alliances between organizations and strong initiatives to counteract the discriminatory practices against minority religions.

Jasvir Singh from United Sikhs International emotionally presented his personal case of discrimination, his expelling from college on the basis of wearing his turban and attracted the attention of the public with other recent cases of discrimination in France.

Finally, Paul Herzog Von Oldenburg, coordinator of International Federation and Pro Europa Christiana also addressed the issue of pseudo-secularism, the insidious religious prosecutions and prejudices present in Europe today and the 'dictatorship of relativism' as it was called by Pope Paul several years ago; he also pointed out bad examples of practices of discrimination and the questionable issue of Miviludes, again in France.

Continued in part 2