International Charter of Religious and Faith Based Organisations

International Charter of Religious and Faith Based Organisations

For Conflict Mitigation and Joint Support Initiatives for the Afflicted / Persons of Concern

For consideration by Roundtable-2 on Promoting Durable Solutions

At the High Commissioners Dialogue on Protection Challenges: Faith and Protection

12-13 December 2012, Geneva, Switzerland

Draft prepared by Dr. Mazher Hussain, COVA, India

1. All Faith based and religious groups would collaborate at the organisational and program levels for relief, rehabilitation, reconciliation and repatriation of the affected/ persons of concern*.

2. Will pool resources- financial, personal and organisational – to mount and undertake joint operations and initiatives during natural disasters, conflict situation or any emergencies requiring a humanitarian response and work collectively for the relief, rehab, reconciliation and repatriation in any conflict situations across community lines and on the principles of service to humanity.**

3.Will create appropriate atmosphere in their areas of operation to facilitate reconciliation and return of refugees, especially belonging to other faiths.***

4. Pledge to promote universal compassion, acceptance of differences and discourage stereotyping and spread of hatred against other faith / denominational groups.

5. Take collective actions and collaborate to prevent misuse of religious beliefs to promote conflicts.

*All faiths and religions proclaim it as a duty to help and support those in need and the oppressed. Most faith groups undertake initiatives and programs to help the needy but usually it is members of their own congregations that they reach out to and not others. The sentiments become sectarian and are not humanitarian. This has adverse consequences where the conflict also has a religious / faith dimension (and most conflicts have or tend to acquire such a dimension) as this leads to a situation where people of the other faith are seen as oppressors and people of our own faith perceived as the saviours for the help provided- enhancing the stereotypes that further feed the conflict and make reconciliation difficult. All faith groups must pledge to work across sectarian lines as this could prevent misuse of faith / religion for creating and sustaining conflicts and create necessary conditions for reconciliation and return where required..

** If faith based groups come together during natural disaster etc, then it becomes much easier to continue and enhance their collaboration in a situation of conflict involving their faiths directly or indirectly.

*** Faith leaders, with their unique position and influence in their communities, can play a critical role in breaking stereotypes and create conditions necessary for reconciliation and even safe return.

**** Faith and religion have become the biggest contexts and vehicles for the spread of stereotyping, hatred and conflicts. Unfortunately most faith and religious leaders unabashedly and openly engage in this, lending further credibility to divisive and fissiparous forces. Even if some faith / religious leaders start contesting such misuse of religion and faith, this could initiate a new and welcome trend. This will gain greater credibility and acceptance if leaders of different faiths come together to take joint stands and issue common statements to promote values of accepting diversity and differences, universal compassion and humanitarian outlook.

***** While some religious / faith leaders facilitate or engage in misuse of religion / faith to create and foster conflicts, many others are averse to such practice but remain silent. Unless religious leaders protest and challenge such misuse openly, consistently and collectively, most conflicts will continue and new ones will get added.