Framework of communication needed to protect against human rights violations of individuals who exercise their right to religious freedom in minority religions

• Main Author: Stephanus P. Pretorius
• Format: Article
• Language: Afrikaans
• Published: AOSIS 2012-02-01
• Series: Verbum et Ecclesia
• Online Access: http://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/VE/article/view/516

The right to religious freedom is generally believed to be the solution to religious intolerance and discrimination and to ensure world peace amongst world citizens. On an international level, the United Nations, through the appointment of a special rapporteur for freedom of religion and belief, has introduced a tool to monitor violations of this right. This tool is known as �the framework of communications� and is focused mainly on the relationship between governments and religions. Unfortunately, religion is not excluded from the violation of human rights within its own ranks. This article pointed out that however pure the intention of freedom of religion, no real measures are in place to address violations of human rights in minority religions. Therefore, a tool is needed to investigate and address alleged violations within minority religions.