Abp. Gallagher: human rights
essential for peaceful societies
 |
| Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher (ANSA) |
In his statement to the Human Rights Council in Geneva,
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher stressed the integral role of human rights in
advancing peace, while also expressing concern over restriction of religious
freedom.
By Joachim Teigen
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Holy See Secretary for
Relations with States, delivered his statement to the High-Level Segment of the
40th Session of the Human Rights Council on Monday 25 February
in Geneva.
He remarked how fitting it was that Geneva, with its
numerous organisations of multilateral diplomacy, should also be the city to
host the UN’s efforts for the protection and promotion of human rights. This,
he noted, demonstrates the essential place of human rights in international
relations.
The issue of “new rights”
The recognition of the equal dignity of humans implies a
reference to that which all humans have in common, Abp. Gallagher said. He
therefore highlighted the issue of so-called “new rights” fragmenting the
nature of the human person, and leading to the conflict of different rights and
“new forms of ideological colonization”.
Restriction of religious freedom
Another concern that arose in Abp. Gallagher’s statement was
that of religious freedom. Although clearly recognised as a fundamental right,
he said that this “must not be limited to the private sphere” but should also
entail “respecting the right of religious communities”, and the ability of
religious people to contribute to the public dialogue.
He also expressed concern over the calls of several
countries to restrict the right of conscientious objection, and put it forth as
an example of how some states were still “uncomfortable with the right of
freedom of religion”.
Abp. Gallagher finally pointed to the recent meeting between
Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, in Abu Dhabi. He
said that the historic meeting is an example of how the moral and religious
dimension of humanity has to complement that of economics in order to reach the
Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét