July 2015 : France, examined by the UN Human Rights Committee- 4 recommandations suggested by CNEF, the French Council for Evangelicals

July 2015 : France, examined by the UN Human Rights Committee- 4 recommandations suggested by CNEF, the French Council for Evangelicals
On July 9th and 10th, France will be examined by the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva concerning its implementation of the UN ICCPR. The experts of the Committee will then issue recommandations to the French Government. As a participant of Civil Society, CNEF proposed 4 recommandations regarding freedom of expression and freedom of religion and beliefs. In a context of constant debate on Laïcité and the place of religions in the public sphere, CNEF suggested to the experts the following recommendations :
  • to promote a full and comprehensive definition of freedom of religion and belief, which includes the right to manifest one’s belief in public, according to article 18 of ICCPR
  • to guarantee the freedom of parents to raise their children according to their own beliefs, in particular when moral and civil classes or teaching about religion as fact will be implemented in school
  • to guarantee freedom of religion at work, for professionals and for medical staff (conscientious objection)
  • to foster freedom of expression for all opinions or beliefs, with equality and respect for pluralism.
CNEF will be present as an observer during the session, working with Michael Mutzner of the World Evangelical Alliance. You can find the full text of CNEF’s suggested recommendation to the experts of UN HCR on UN website here, CNEF document to the UN on France Thank you for your support and prayers. We pray that  the UN HRC experts will be sensitive to CNEF’s call to preserve freedom of expression and conscience in France. Written by: Nancy Lefevre – Legal counsel- CNEF  

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