KingNewsWire // Brussels, Brussels, Belgium, June 12, 2024 – Prominent voices for the promotion and defense of religious freedom across Spain and Europe gathered at the University of Seville on May 27, 2024 to the presentation of a new book entitled “10 years of promotion and defense of religious freedom. » The large 560-page book, funded by the Pluralism and Coexistence Foundation and published by Dykinson and FoRB Publications, includes the writings of around thirty experts in the fields of law, anthropology and public administration. , and which has won the prestigious “Religious Freedom Prize” over the last 10 years.
The event was organized by the Foundation for the Improvement of Life, Culture and Society (founded by the Church of Scientology) and carried out at the Faculty of Law of the University of Seville. Among the speakers were:
Mar Lealprofessor of State Ecclesiastical Law at the University of Seville Zoila Combalíaprofessor of State Ecclesiastical Law at the University of Zaragoza Rafael Valencia Candalijaprofessor of State Ecclesiastical Law at the University of Seville Ricardo García Garcíaprofessor of Ecclesiastical Law of State at the Autonomous University of Madrid Isabelle Ayuso Puentelawyer specializing in criminal law and secretary general of the Foundation for the Improvement of Life and Society Ivan Arjona-Peladopresident of the Foundation for the Improvement of the Culture of Life and society, as Scientology’s representative to the EU and the United Nations.
Speakers highlighted the importance of protecting religious freedom as an essential element of democratic societies. Although protected by laws, they warned that religious freedom is often neglected and violated globally and should not be taken for granted.
Professor Mar Leal, who led the presentation at the Faculty of Law of the University of Seville, emphasized that if there is an indispensable right in a democracy, it is religious freedom. “If there is one right that is truly not recognized, protected or safeguarded, it is religious freedom,” she said. Leal hailed the book as a valuable contribution to the defense of this essential freedom.
Isabelle Ayuso Puente, lawyer specializing in criminal law and secretary general of Fundación Mejora, shared her decades of experience witnessing crimes against religious freedom that went unadjudicated. From reputational attacks to outright discrimination, Ayuso lamented the great harm caused to religious individuals, families and communities. While acknowledging that not all of these offenses fit neatly into existing criminal laws, she advocated for stronger legal protections.
Professor Zoila Combalía, who served on the OSCE Expert Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief, highlighted the increasingly pluralistic nature of Spanish and European societies in terms of religious demographics. She argued that respect for religious freedom is crucial for peaceful coexistence amid such diversity. Combalía also warned against policies aimed at making religion invisible in the public sphere, saying: “A compressed, boxed-in religion is much more likely to lead to polarization and confrontation. »
From the sporting arena, Professor Rafael Valencia Candalija examined how major sports federations have gradually changed their rules and equipment policies to accommodate athletes’ religious outfits and symbols, such as Muslim hijabs. He criticized the French sports minister’s recent proposal to ban such religious expressions among French athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, calling it a regressive measure.
Participating remotely, Professor Ricardo García García focused his remarks on the collective dimension of religious freedom for religious communities and institutions. It reviewed case law providing guidance on when public expressions could harm the honor and reputation of a religious entity.
The event concluded with Foundation President Iván Arjona-Pelado highlighting the book’s diverse perspectives while emphasizing their convergence on respect for religious freedom. Arjona celebrated this work as an educational resource that will soon be distributed to 200 academic libraries across the country.
In a poignant gesture, Arjona-Pelado read part of the book’s dedication page, based on a prayer for total freedom by L Ron Hubbard, addressing it to “those whose freedom has been threatened by slavery or martyrdom” and to all victims of brutal treatment inflicted because of their beliefs. Their resounding message: in 21st century society, freedom of thought, conscience and religious exercise must be universally guaranteed for everyone, everywhere and at all times.
Originally published in The European Times.
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