Hindu Council launches anti-conversion petition

The petition will request UN to eliminate proselytization in the interest of promoting coexistence of all religions.

The Hindu Council UK is spearheading a campaign for people to sign an anti-conversion petition to be presented to the UN High Commission for Human Rights and the United Nations General Assembly. The petition will request that proselytization must be eliminated in the interest of promoting world peace and harmony and respectful coexistence of all religions.

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Addressed to Soli Sorabjee, Chairman, UN Sub-Commission on Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kofi Annan, Secretary-General, United Nations and Heads of States of all Secular Nations, the petition says there are deep concerns about inter-religious conflicts fomented by the proselytizing activities of certain sects.

It points out that large majority of Muslims and Christians do not harbour such grand aspirations and are opposed to the proselytizing schemes. It says: "We are troubled by the likelihood of major clashes of civilizations resulting from the exclusive truth claims of monotheistic religions. We also anticipate such conflicts will weaken the social fabric of many countries by pitting religions against one another and destroying indigenous cultures."

"Further, we are firmly convinced that we should act now to prevent all inter-religious conflicts and the occurrence of greater misery, death and destruction than what we have witnessed thus far in the course of human history, most brought about by the evils of proselytization."

The petition added: "Therefore, we are hereby appealing to the United Nations as a whole and the UN Commission for Human Rights in particular to adopt an amendment to Article 18 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights by expanding it through the addition of a second sentence (capitalised): Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. NO INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION MAY SEEK TO CONVERT AN INDIVIDUAL OR A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING MINORS OR INDIVIDUALS OF LIMITED COGNITIVE ABILITIES, FORMALLY OR INFORMALLY, FROM ONE RELIGION TO ANOTHER THROUGH OFFERING FINANCIAL OR OTHER MATERIAL INCENTIVES; THROUGH PHYSICAL, MENTAL, OR EMOTIONAL COERCION; OR THROUGH THREATS OR INTIMIDATION OF ANY KIND.”

The UN and Religious Proselytization Petition to UN High Commission for Human Rights was created by C. Alex Alexander, Aditi Banerjee, Chitra Raman, SK Raman, SS Vinekar and written by C. Alex Alexander.