Comments on: Promoting Freedom, Justice, and Peace http://seekingjustice.wordpress.com/2007/05/05/the-foundation-of-freedom-justice-and-peace/ Examining the Situation of the Baha'is of Egypt Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:57:03 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: truthseekers9 http://seekingjustice.wordpress.com/2007/05/05/the-foundation-of-freedom-justice-and-peace/#comment-26 truthseekers9 Tue, 08 May 2007 04:56:40 +0000 http://seekingjustice.wordpress.com/2007/05/05/the-foundation-of-freedom-justice-and-peace/#comment-26 Dear R.A. Thank you for your very insightful comment. As you point out, the arguments presented by the Egyptian authorities do not conform with the plain text of the Covenant itself. One response to those who would argue that the rights contained in the Covenant should be limited to only three religions is that there are some fundamental universal principles that are valued by all societies and for all human beings, and the International Covenant is a reflection of this. These UN Covenants, as we understand them, are developed through joint dialogue and participation among the diverse nations of the world. You raise an interesting point about closing loopholes. It seems that through further exchange and dialogue this can no doubt be achieved. Thank you again for your very excellent points! We look forward to hearing more from you in the future. Dear R.A.

Thank you for your very insightful comment. As you point out, the arguments presented by the Egyptian authorities do not conform with the plain text of the Covenant itself. One response to those who would argue that the rights contained in the Covenant should be limited to only three religions is that there are some fundamental universal principles that are valued by all societies and for all human beings, and the International Covenant is a reflection of this. These UN Covenants, as we understand them, are developed through joint dialogue and participation among the diverse nations of the world. You raise an interesting point about closing loopholes. It seems that through further exchange and dialogue this can no doubt be achieved. Thank you again for your very excellent points! We look forward to hearing more from you in the future.

]]> By: ME Faith - Middle East Interfaith Blogger Network » Blog Archive » Another Insightful Post in “Seeking Justice” http://seekingjustice.wordpress.com/2007/05/05/the-foundation-of-freedom-justice-and-peace/#comment-25 ME Faith - Middle East Interfaith Blogger Network » Blog Archive » Another Insightful Post in “Seeking Justice” Mon, 07 May 2007 22:01:04 +0000 http://seekingjustice.wordpress.com/2007/05/05/the-foundation-of-freedom-justice-and-peace/#comment-25 [...] A critical legal question was just raised yesterday in a post published on “Seeking Justice” blog. It addresses Egypt’s legal responsibility to uphold its obligations to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which it is a co-signatory. The post quotes articles 2 & 18 of the Covenant and analysis their meaning. It then emphasizes Egypt’s obligations of being a party to that Covenant and the impact of such obligations on the current Baha’i crisis in Egypt. In order to learn more about this particular issue, please click here…. [...] [...] A critical legal question was just raised yesterday in a post published on “Seeking Justice” blog. It addresses Egypt’s legal responsibility to uphold its obligations to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which it is a co-signatory. The post quotes articles 2 & 18 of the Covenant and analysis their meaning. It then emphasizes Egypt’s obligations of being a party to that Covenant and the impact of such obligations on the current Baha’i crisis in Egypt. In order to learn more about this particular issue, please click here…. [...]

]]> By: r.a. http://seekingjustice.wordpress.com/2007/05/05/the-foundation-of-freedom-justice-and-peace/#comment-22 r.a. Mon, 07 May 2007 08:23:15 +0000 http://seekingjustice.wordpress.com/2007/05/05/the-foundation-of-freedom-justice-and-peace/#comment-22 The terms of the articles are clear and definitive, however, it is the interpretation, or rather, the unconventional interpretation of the objectives of the Covenant that are being manipulated by the Egyptian government. Repeatedly and with firm language, the courts as well as the Islamic clergy of the Azhar administration have stated that there are only three divine religions. These, according to their beliefs, are what form the definitions and parameters of religious belief and nothing else. As such, they see no violation to the Covenant, although it is clear that this speaks otherwise. The terms “belief”, “freedom of thought”, and “conscience”, are not what would be considered identifiers or entities in official documents such as the new ID card. Once again, one would ask why, and to what purpose is religion or any other persuasions of conscience compulsory for civil document applications. The weak and unsubstantiated arguments given by these same parties was that religious law defines terms regarding inheritance, marriage, divorce, and the like; all issues that have found resolution decades, and even centuries ago in societies around the world, including Egypt. By no margin of credibility are the arguments presented by the Egyptian authorities in conformity with the Covenant. Perhaps the terms of the Covenant itself - in light of the exploitation by extreme religious societies – require development to close loopholes and define further parameters such as deleting the requirement of religious affiliation in civil documents. There is a divide, a different language spoken in religious societies, and these need to be addressed in terms particular to their conditions and challenges. The terms of the articles are clear and definitive, however, it is the interpretation, or rather, the unconventional interpretation of the objectives of the Covenant that are being manipulated by the Egyptian government. Repeatedly and with firm language, the courts as well as the Islamic clergy of the Azhar administration have stated that there are only three divine religions. These, according to their beliefs, are what form the definitions and parameters of religious belief and nothing else. As such, they see no violation to the Covenant, although it is clear that this speaks otherwise. The terms “belief”, “freedom of thought”, and “conscience”, are not what would be considered identifiers or entities in official documents such as the new ID card. Once again, one would ask why, and to what purpose is religion or any other persuasions of conscience compulsory for civil document applications. The weak and unsubstantiated arguments given by these same parties was that religious law defines terms regarding inheritance, marriage, divorce, and the like; all issues that have found resolution decades, and even centuries ago in societies around the world, including Egypt. By no margin of credibility are the arguments presented by the Egyptian authorities in conformity with the Covenant. Perhaps the terms of the Covenant itself – in light of the exploitation by extreme religious societies – require development to close loopholes and define further parameters such as deleting the requirement of religious affiliation in civil documents. There is a divide, a different language spoken in religious societies, and these need to be addressed in terms particular to their conditions and challenges.

]]>