The Danish Government’s initiative for Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection of Religious and Belief Minorities.

The Danish approach to freedom of religion or belief is based on four fundamental principles:

Universal: Denmark’s approach is firmly based on the freedom of religion or belief as enshrined in art. 18 of the ICCPR and the international conventions as described above. Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right equal to all other human rights. It is not a divine right, but a universal right for all, and should be defended by all.

Inclusive: The protection of freedom of religion or belief is broad, including both non-theistic and atheistic beliefs. Thus, it is important to emphasize the “B” for Belief in FoRB to ensure freedom of religion or belief for everyone.

Preventive: Freedom of religion or belief is the litmus test of the fundamental human rights in a society or as the canary in the coalmine. Restrictions and limitations on the individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief warns us that other human rights may be at risk, so we must act to protect this freedom and all other human rights.

Indivisible: Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right no more important than other human rights, but equal and indivisible to all other human rights.

The Government’s strategy to promote freedom of religion or belief and protection of belief minorities contains five tracks 

Track 1: Mobilization of the international community for the promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief

Track 2: A thematic focus on the two intersections between Freedom of Religion or Belief and Gender Equality, and Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

Track 3: A geographical focus on the immediate neighborhood of the EU, including the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Track 4: Dialogue and cooperation with countries on freedom of religion or belief, where it is relevant and possible

Track 5: The tracking of a number of cases of individuals persecuted for belief or religious reasons.

Countering antisemitsm and Holocaust remembrance 
The Office for Freedom of Religion or Belief is responsible for Danish foreign policy efforts to counter antisemitsm. It contributes to the implementation of the Danish Action plan against antisemitism in close collaboration with the Ministry of Justice (National Coordinator) and other partners. 
The Office represents Denmark in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which Denmark joined in 2004. 

Contact

Ambassador and Special Representative for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Julie Elisabeth Pruzan, leads the Danish Office for Freedom of Religion or Belief in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

Click here to contact the Office of the Special Representative for Freedom of Religion or Belief.

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(The following will only be posted in Danish) 

Invitation til Dansk Kontaktforum for Religions og Trosfrihed, d. 21. november 2023 kl. 16-18 

Du inviteres hermed til det 9. møde i kontaktforum for religions- og trosfrihed. På mødet vil du blive præsenteret for udenrigsministeriets arbejde med at fremme religions- og trosfrihed i udviklingssamarbejdet, herunder med desk reviewet om ministeriets indsats, samt for FN’s særlige rapportør for religions- og trosfriheds mandat og arbejde. Mødet vil desuden være en anledning til netværksdannelse mellem kontaktformmedlemmerne.

Tidspunkt: Den 21. november 2023, kl. 16-18

Mødested: Eigtveds Pakhus, Strandgade 25D, 1401 København

Program

Moderator: Særlig repræsentant for religions- og trosfrihed, Ambassadør Julie Pruzan

16.00          Velkomst og åbningstale ved minister for udviklingssamarbejde og global klimapolitik, Dan Jørgensen

16.15          Oplæg om religions- og trosfrihed i Danmarks udviklingssamarbejde og Q&A ved direktør for udviklingspolitik, Lotte Machon

16.40          Pause/netværksdannelse for kontaktforummets medlemmer

17.10          Præsentation af FN’s mandat og Q&A ved FN’s særlige rapportør for religions- og trosfrihed, Nazila Ghanea  

Du tilmelder dig ved at sende en mail til [email protected]  med følgende oplysninger:

-      Emnelinje: Tilmelding til møde i Dansk Kontaktforum for Religions- og trosfrihed den 21. november 2023

-      Navn(e) på deltagere

-      Organisation (eller angiv, at du deltager i privat kapacitet)

Frist for tilmelding er d. 14. november 2023 kl. 12.00.

Første del af mødet vil foregå på dansk. Præsentationen og dialogen med FN’s særlige rapportør vil foregå på engelsk.

Mvh.
FoRB-enheden / Udenrigsministeriet