Resolution - 2006.01
Religious Freedom

Submitted by: B.C. & Yukon Provincial Council

Whereas, The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief proclaims that ??everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion?; and

Whereas, There are numerous countries where religious freedom is restricted; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada, in 86th annual national convention assembled, urge the federal government to denounce practices that restrict religious freedom in countries where these exist; and, be it further

Resolved, That the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada, in 86th annual national convention assembled, encourage the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations (WUCWO) to petition its member organizations to urge their governments to denounce violations to the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.

BRIEF
The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief proclaims that ??everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.? It further states ??that freedom of religion and belief should also contribute to the attainment of the goals of world peace, social justice and friendship among peoples . ??(1) It proclaims the dignity and equality inherent in all human beings and their right to thought, conscience and religion. It further states that no one should be discriminated against in any form or manner because of religion, and that all state parties should take effective measures to prevent and eliminate discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief.(2) Governments around the world have an opportunity to influence their economic trading partners who are restricting religious freedom.

There are numerous countries that are in violation of the UN Declaration. Canada, as a member of the UN, has an obligation to denounce practices that restrict religious freedom. Furthermore, a unified pressure may be exerted by the members of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations (WUCWO) urging their governments to denounce violations.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Office of The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva Switzerland, Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, November 25, 1981.
Shea, Nina, in the Lion's Den, Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1997.
United States Department of State, 2005 Executive Summary, International Religious Freedom Report, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, November 8, 2005.

FOOTNOTES
(1) Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva Switzerland Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, November 25, 1981, pp. 1.
(2) Ibid., pp. 1-4.

Requested Members' Action:

• Write letters to the prime minister, the federal minister of international trade, minister of foreign affairs and a copy to your member of parliament (MP) urging them to denounce the practices that restrict religious freedoms in countries where they exist.
• Invite a speaker to your meeting so that members can be made aware of the violations that are taking place throughout the world?perhaps start with your local multi-cultural association, university, diocesan development and peace resource person.
• Host an information forum for the members of your community so that they can be made aware of what is happening ? this is an opportunity to network with local multi-faith associations.
• Hold prayer vigils for the victims of religious restrictions.
• Pray for all victims of religious restrictions.