High-level panel debate in the EU Parliament calls for EU coordinator for combatting anti-Christian hate crimes
Posted on: December 5, 2024
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In response to current trends of rising religious intolerance in Europe, religious freedom experts met at the European Parliament on December 4, 2024, to discuss the necessary steps and means to protect believers and safeguard religious freedom. The panel was chaired by MEP Dr Paulius Saudargas and consisted of religious freedom experts from different backgrounds: Dr. Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator for Combating Anti-Semitism and Promoting Jewish Life; Dr. Gudrun Kugler, Austrian Member of Parliament and Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly; Alessandro Calcagno, COMECE Adviser on Fundamental Rights and Article 17 TFEU; and Anja Hoffmann, Executive Director of OIDAC (Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe), presented pressing issues and meaningful responses to current challenges in the area of religious intolerance and discrimination.
In his introductory remarks, MEP Saudargas welcomed the panel debate as an important step in the follow-up to the European Parliament's debate on rising religious intolerance in October. The panel discussion, entitled “Safeguarding Religious Freedom in Europe: Current Challenges and Future Prospects” followed this year's European Prayer Breakfast, held for the 27th time at the European Parliament and attended by some 450 guests from across Europe and beyond.
Dr Katharina von Schnurbein reminded the audience of the recent anti-Semitic attacks in Europe and how these should concern not only Jewish believers, but all of us. To overcome anti-religious hatred, von Schnurbein stressed the importance of working together across religious and ideological divides. “We should never underestimate the power of working together, even with those who do not agree on every point,” Schnurbein told the audience.
OIDAC Europe Director Anja Hoffmann presented the findings of the organisation's latest report on intolerance and discrimination against Christians in Europe. Alongside worrying trends of rising anti-Christian hate crimes in some European countries, such as the UK and Germany, Hoffmann also drew attention to legislation restricting religious freedom. Cases such as the five-year trial of Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen for tweeting a Bible verse, the prosecution of Maltese Christian Matthew Grech for telling his faith story on television, or the conviction of Adam Smith-Connor for praying silently in a so-called "buffer zone" near an abortion clinic in the UK, showed that lawmakers must carefully consider the side effects legislation can have on religious freedom.
COMECE Adviser Alessandro Calcagno underlined the need to respect all aspects of religious freedom, in its private and public, individual and collective dimensions, including religious autonomy rights. In this context, he underlined the need to overcome the misconception that the display of religious symbols may offend the sensibilities of believers of other faiths or non-believers. Calcagno also called for better protection of places of worship. In order to ensure that each religious community has equal access to protection tools, an EU Coordinator on combating anti-Christian hatred should be appointed, in parallel to the existing mandates for combating anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes.
Asked by Mr. Saudargas whether she had ever felt discriminated against because of her beliefs, Dr Gudrun Kugler shared that as a politican she had expereicend discrimination because of her Christian faith. Dr Gudrun Kugler said that as a politician she had experienced discrimination because of her Christian faith. However, religious faith and adherence to sincerely held beliefs can also be a source of respect and help build bridges, even with those who do not share the same faith and values. Kugler also pointed out that there are a number of legal restrictions on religious freedom, including parental rights, across Europe. She mentioned regulations that forces medical students to participate in abortions in order to successfully complete their medical studies as a violation of conscience rights. “Human rights are not for picking and choosing,” stressed Kugler. “We have to make sure that all human rights are protected”. She expressed the hope that Europe will come to a mature understanding of religion and how best to accommodate religious beliefs.
Participants also stressed the need to extend the mandate of the Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU.