PROGRAM

Freedom of Religion or Belief in the Justice System

March 21-22, 2022 (08h30-15h30)

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

8:30 am - 9:00 am: Registration

9:00 am - 10:30 am: Opening Session and Module I

International protection of freedom of religion or belief: UN system, European system and African system

Dr Thiago Alves Pinto, University of Oxford and Oslo Coalition

Content:

• Notions of International Human Rights Law;

• The protection of freedom of religion or belief in the main normative instruments of human rights within the Global, European and African human rights systems;

• The role of supervisory and monitoring bodies;

• Jurisprudence and general comments.

Objectives:

• To learn and debate the main elements that characterise the protection of freedom of religion or belief within the UN, the Council of Europe, the European Union, and the African Union. The emphasis, however, will be on the UN normative instruments of which Brazil is a party and on the role of supervisory and monitoring bodies.

10:30 am - 11:00 am: Coffee Break

11:00 am - 12:30 pm: Module II

International protection of freedom of religion or belief: Inter-American System

Dr Rodrigo Vitorino Souza Alves, The Brazilian Center of Studies in Law and Religion, Federal University of Uberlandia

Content:

• The protection of freedom of religion or belief in the main normative instruments and declarations of human rights in the Inter-American system;

• The role of the supervisory and monitoring bodies;

• Jurisprudence and other documents.

Objectives:

• To examine the normative instruments, jurisprudence and other documents concerning the protection of freedom of religion or belief in the Inter-American System for the Protection of Human Rights, including the jurisprudence of the Inter-American Commission and Court.

12:30 - 14:00 : Lunch Break

14:00 - 15:20 : Panel 1

Freedom of Religion or Belief in the World: Contemporary Issues

Dr. Nazila Ghanea, University of Oxford

Discussant:

Dr. Denise Lindberg, International Center for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS/BYU)

15:20 - 15:30: Announcements and conclusion of the first day

8:30 am - 9:00 am: Registration

9:00 am - 10:30 am: Module III

Constitutional Protection of Freedom of Religion of Belief

Dr Jayme Weingartner Neto, Judge at a State Court and Director of the School of the Judiciary

Content:

• Human dignity and freedom of religion or belief;

• The constitutional dimensions of freedom of religion or belief;

• The relationship between religion and State;

• Incorporation of international treaties and protection of freedom of religion or belief.

Objectives:

• To analyse the fundamental legal protections enshrined in the Federal Constitution regarding freedom of religion or belief;

• To discuss the implications of institutional differentiation and separation between the State and religions and beliefs.

10:30 am - 11:00 am: Coffee Break

11:00 am - 12:30 pm: Module IV

Case Study

Content:

• Presentation and discussion of hypothetical case on freedom of religion or belief from the UN Faith for Rights toolkit.

Objectives:

• To learn and discuss the main elements that characterise the protection of freedom of religion or belief within International Law;

• To engage with and reflect about interesting and topical law and religion issues.

12:30 - 14:00 : Lunch Break

14:00 - 15:20 : Panel 2

14:00 - 14:40: Freedom of Religion or Belief: Experiences from Brazil

Dr. Fábio Carvalho Leite, the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

14:40 - 15:20: Faith for Rights (remote presentation)

Dr. Michael Wiener, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Dr. Ibrahim Salama, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

14:50 - 15:20: Faith for Rights Presentation

15:20 - 15:30 : Closing Remarks