Freedom under fire
When tensions rise, the incidence of hate speech increases, which fuels both racism and xenophobia on a deeper level
IS IT possible that we in South Africa take our freedom for granted?
I couldn’t help asking myself this unthinkable question as I sat in plenary sessions of the 2016 International Parliamentarians’ Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Over three days in Berlin last month, members of parliament from countries throughout the world sought ways to protect and promote what we all agreed was an embattled right.
Coming from South Africa, where our constitution enshrines the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion, it was eye-opening for me to hear the heartfelt plea of delegations from countries where the right to religious freedom is not entrenched. We tend to think of freedom only in terms of politics. But religious freedom should command our attention.
In terms of Article 18 of the UN Universal Declaration for Human Rights, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion… including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom either alone or in community… to manifest his religion… in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
Yet still governments in places like Eritrea, Pakistan, Sudan, Vietnam and Myanmar have not embraced the right to religious freedom. Indeed 75% of the world’s population live in areas were religious freedom is limited. Should we in South Africa be concerned?
Absolutely; South Africa’s constitution, and our alignment with the Universal Declaration for Human Rights, bestows on our country’s leaders a responsibility to promote and protect religious freedoms, not only in South Africa but throughout the world. The aphorism holds true that an attack on freedom anywhere is an attack on freedom everywhere.
Therefore, acting on behalf of the IFP, I signed several advocacy letters during the conference in Berlin, addressed to various government leaders. These letters seek the release, among others, of Aasia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who was sentenced to death for blasphemy; Paulos Eyassu, Isaac Mogos, and Negede Teklemariam, who have been held in detention for 20 years for conscientious objection to military service; and Abul Shukoor, 80, who was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment for selling books on the Ahmadi Muslim faith.
It is disheartening to know that people throughout the world regularly face discrimination, persecution and death because of their faith. Worse still is that those who kill in the name of religion use a system of beliefs as justification, and commit their criminal acts with impunity. In the fight against extremism, which is causing so much devastation, freedom of religion is our most powerful weapon.
To focus South Africa’s attention on this aspect of freedom, the IFP has proposed a parliamentary forum to deal with issues around religious tolerance. We did this in the National Assembly on International Religious Freedom Day. We know that we cannot be complacent simply because this freedom is legally protected in South Africa.
There are still evident tensions within our communities over the different ways people express their faith. That much was blatantly obvious when two South Africans took to Facebook after Diwali and spewed a racist rant against the Indian community. Using despicable language, they expressed deep ignorance and intolerance of Indian culture.
The IFP immediately reacted, referring this to the South African Human Rights Commission last week and laying a charge of hate speech at the Equality Court. But even that is not enough. I have therefore written to the deputy president, as the leader mandated by cabinet to protect social cohesion, asking for an investigation and public condemnation of this racist outpouring.
South Africa is undoubtedly a melting pot of multiculturalism. There are vast differences between the Khoisan, African, Eastern and Western ways of life, all of which find a place in our country.
Not surprisingly, the Constitutional Court has been asked to rule on controversial issues like braided hair, the wearing of the red string and nose rings.
This may not be on the same level as persecution in other countries, but it speaks of tensions between our people and has an impact on the expression of our commitment to tolerance and equality.
When tensions rise, the incidence of hate speech increases, which fuels both racism and xenophobia on a deeper level. We must therefore deal with the tensions between our various cultures that are precipitated by religious diversity.
To take a concrete example, one could look at the different ways South Africans deal with death. From a Western perspective, grieving is largely private following a funeral service. Thus a bereaved individual will take one or two days off work. But in African and Eastern cultures, there are rituals that must be performed which demand a longer period of time away from the routines of life. In a multicultural working environment, misunderstandings and resentment can easily arise.
This is why it is so important for us to reach outside our own experience and learn about each other’s culture, religion and beliefs. We need a better understanding, which can only be obtained by talking to each other, listening without judgement, and sharing – without prejudice – our own perspective. That is the basis of tolerance.
I often encourage people to attend festivals and events of people outside their own culture, so we can understand why people do what they do, wear what they wear, and believe what they believe. When we gain that greater understanding, respect follows. And when we respect one another, it is simple to live out the universal value of all faiths, which is service to others.