Africa-Press – Gambia. The National Assembly in partnership with British High Commissioner and Human Rights Activists has launched a parliamentary caucus on Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB).
The launching was held at a ceremony at the Gambia Teachers’ Union premises on Saturday.
At the launch, Dr. Rasheed Draman from the African Center for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) highlighted the need to have a parliamentary caucus, adding that ACEPA and its partners Oxford University and the Church of England, firmly believe that respect for freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental prerequisite to the advancement of peace and stability in the world.
“The right of every citizen to practice or not to practice any religion or belief is at the heart of democracy. It is the foundation of our shared humanity.” he said.
This belief, he added is the driving force behind their efforts to engage with Parliaments, Faith Leaders and Civil Society Organisations around the world.
He described the event as historic in view of the fact that The Gambia is the first country on the continent to set and officially launch a Parliamentary Caucus on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
“This is a clear demonstration that this country does not take the harmony that exists amongst its citizenry for granted.” he highlights.
He thanked the British government, through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for making funding available to ACEPA and the Speaker of the National Assembly for the warm reception accorded them.
Buba Jatta, deputy clerk on behalf of the Clerk, thanked Members of the Parliamentary Caucus on Freedom of Religion or Belief Leadership Network (FoRBLN) of the National Assembly of The Gambia and Faith Leaders.
He assured the group of his office’s full support of the Parliamentary Caucus.
“He said Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights defines freedom of religion or belief as the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
This article, he added, states that everyone has the right to choose a religion or belief or to have no religious belief at all. Apart from Article 18, freedom of religion or belief is enshrined in the major human rights treaties and is key to building a secure and prosperous society.
For his part, Amadou Camara, National Assembly Member for Nianija and interim chairperson of the FoRB Parliamentary Caucus, explained a brief history of the Network, saying it took them a series of dialogues with leaders and Parliamentarians.
The lawmaker noted that freedom of religious belief is a sign of a thriving democracy, saying ‘if you look around the world’ where people are persecuted for their religion or for having no religion.
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