EHF and the Council of Europe
Humanism is represented at the Council of Europe by the International Humanist and Ethical Union but by agreement with IHEU the EHF nominates one of their representatives - currently board member Andrew Copson, previously Georges Liénard. A report from Georges Liénard on the October 2008 meeting of international NGOs is here; and one from Andrew Copson on the summer 2009 session is here. For further reports on Council of Europe affairs see the IHEU website.The EHF takes part in some Council of Europe events in its own name: see below.
White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue
(70) Part of Europe’s rich cultural heritage is a range of religious, as well as secular, conceptions of the purpose of life. Christianity, Judaism and Islam, with their inner range of interpretations, have deeply influenced our continent. . .
(73) . . . Those holding non-religious worldviews have an equal right to contribute, alongside religious representatives, to debates on the moral foundations of society and to be engaged in forums for intercultural dialogue.
(156) An appreciation of our diverse cultural background should include knowledge and understanding of the major world religions and non-religious convictions and their role in society.
It also refers to the colloquium on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue on the theme “Teaching religious and convictional facts" in which EHF participated.Â
EHF contributed in February 2007 to the consultation with NGOs that led to the White Paper: we submitted a joint response (available here in French) with our partners in the 3Is group (the group that later organised the conference in Strasbourg).
Abortion
EHF wrote to members of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) on 13 April 2008 appealing to them to support a resolution on access to safe and legal abortion. The resolution was adopted.
Colloquia on education about religious and non-religious convictions
EHF was specifically invited to contribute to the Council of Europe’s 2008 meeting on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue, which had as its theme "Education about religious and non-religious convictions". Andrew Copson and Georges Liénard attended the meeting on 8 April. Read a report and Andrew Copson’s paper. We took part in the 2009 event in the same series - read Andrew Copson's report.
Privileged Position for Churches?
In April 2007 EHF wrote to the President of the Council’s Parliamentary Assembly, Mr René van der Linden, protesting at his invitation to the Pope to address the Assembly. No acknowledgement or reply was received. Mr van der Linden has previously made a speech proposing that churches should have ‘an official status with the Council of Europe’. This is referred to in our letter.
Euthanasia
In June 1999 EHF appealed to Belgian non-Catholic members of the PACE to adopt a policy favourable to the right to die with dignity. Regrettably the Parliamentary Assembly adopted a position hostile to euthanasia. In October 2002 EHF issued a statement on euthanasia calling on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to reverse its policy.
Report on colloquium on education about religious and non-religious convictions - June 2009
Appeal to PACE members to support safe and legal abortion
Report on colloquium on education about religious and non-religious convictions - April 2008Joint submission on intercultural dialogue (in French)
Statement on euthanasia - October 2002
Appeal on euthanasia to Belgian non-Catholic members of PACE, June 1999
EHF Activities
EHF and the European Institutions
EHF and the European Commission
Opposing Special Rights for Churches in the EU
EHF and the European Parliament
EHF and OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
EHF and the Council of Europe
Other representations
EHF conferences
Collaborative Work
The Brussels Lunch Club