Fairness for All: An Answer to the Special Rapporteur’s Call for a Practical Resolution between Freedom of Religion or Belief and LGBT+ Non-discrimination

 

 

 

 

Robin Fretwell Wilson is Director, Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois System & Roger and Stephany Joslin Professor of Law, University of Illinois College of Law

Tanner Bean is an Attorney with the law firm Fabian VanCott in Salt Lake City, Utah

U.N. Special Rapporteur, Ahmed Shaheed’s, report on freedom of religion or belief (“FoRB”) and gender equality (the “Report”) comes at an important moment in our collective existence. Many of us in many countries are struggling with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, fearing the impact on our families and communities. Yet, in the midst of this crisis, churches and people of faith continue to serve, albeit in altered and unique ways. In uncertain times like these, churches often rush to fill dire needs and remind us that we all need each other. (more…)

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COVID-19 and Human Dignity

 

This Conversation was developed from contributions to an international Webinar held 16 April 2020: Freedom of Religion or Belief, COVID-19 and Human Dignity , Episode 2 of the Webinar Series COVID-19 and Freedom of Religion or Belief. Panelists in this Webinar addressed the following and other questions: How is this global emergency affecting our concept of human dignity? How can we ensure that restrictions to civil liberties that we accept for our collective safety respect human dignity and human rights? (more…)

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COVID-19 Requires an Urgent Response Grounded in Human Rights and Human Dignity


Ewelina U. Ochab is a legal researcher, human rights advocate and author, regularly contibuting to such outlets at Forbes. She is co-founder of the Coalition for Genocide Response. This blogpost arises from her role as moderator of a international panel for a Webinar held 16 April 2020 [1]  and is part of a Talk About Conversation on COVID-19 and Human Dignity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been shaping and reshaping our lives as we knew them over the recent week and months. The majority of us, confined to our homes, had to adjust to the new social distancing rules, working from home for weeks, move all social interaction to the online world of Zoom, Skype, GoToMeeting and many more. And while we struggle in our own ways, it is crucial to remember that there are groups of people who are more affected by COVID-19 and the changes to brought to the world. This is not to suggest a completion over victimhood status but to recognize the particular situation, particular vulnerabilities that cannot be neglected when the impact of COVID-19 is assessed. And indeed, COVID-19 has had a proficient effect on the enjoyment of human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief, and human dignity. (more…)

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