Fundamental freedoms tested by sectarianism
The European members responsible for sectarian issues of the Centre for Information and Advice on Harmful Sectarian Organisations (C.I.A.H.S.O.) will be meeting on 17 September 2010 in Brussels as part of a study seminar on the topic of “Protecting the rights of man and fundamental liberties from sectarianism”. This meeting is aimed at mobilising people at a European-wide scale against abuses committed by sectarian organisations in the name of religion.
As part of its legal mission to study the phenomenon of harmful sectarian organisations in Belgium and their international connections (article 6 of the 2 June 1998 law), The Centre for Information and Advice on Harmful Sectarian Organisations (C.I.A.H.S.O.) has, since its inception, undertaken exchanges with its European counterparts in charge of sectarian matters. On two occasions, in 2003 and 2007, the Centre welcomed its partners to Brussels for meetings devoted to a pooling of the different national experiences. Continuing in the same vein, the C.I.A.H.S.O. is organising a study day on the 17 September 2010 on the subject "Fundamental freedoms tested by sectarianism". The aim of this meeting is to contribute to a European scale mobilisation against abuse committed by sectarian organisations in the name of religious freedom, and in doing so to strengthen support for the victims of sectarianism.
After having drawn up an appraisal of the different national-level legal and administrative frameworks and their practical application, reflection will be based on respect for fundamental rights in general, and the principle of non-discrimination in particular.
Rather than taking a theoretical approach to addressing the key features of the phenomenon of discrimination, this meeting will examine the practical consequences of these phenomena for the building of various forms of cooperation between the main public institutions in Europe in the field of sectarianism.
This meeting is not open to the public. By invitation only.