Indonesia, EU explore role of religion in realizing rights

The European Union (EU), in partnership with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia,is convening a two-day conference titled "Human Rights and Faith in Focus" on Oct. 24-25, a press statement said here on Monday. The conference is attended by about 150 representatives of civil society, government and diplomatic missions from Indonesia and the EU and will adopt recommendations for the next EU- Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue in 2012. It is rooted in the mutual commitment to human rights included in the 2009 EU-Indonesia Partnership and Co-operation Agreement. The event will explore the contribution made by faith organizations to the fulfillment of human rights and the challenges in balancing respect for freedom of religion with other human rights, including the freedom of expression. Following recent incidents in the EU and Indonesia, it will also examine how the rights of minorities can better be protected. "This conference is a timely opportunity to explore a complex and compelling theme: the relationship between religious faith and human rights," Julian Wilson, head of Delegation of the European Union to Indonesia, Brunei and ASEAN said. He added that whilst religious pluralism is protected in both Indonesia and the EU, both parties must pay attention to the challenges in ensuring that all faiths can be followed without fear and discrimination.