GYV discusses respect for sacred values at UN panel


Date posted: March 16, 2014

Geneva – The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) held a panel on Saturday on “Respect for Sacred Values” at the United Nations’ Geneva headquarters. Many academics and diplomats showed great interest in the panel, which was held as the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) conducted its annual meetings in Geneva.

Delivering speeches and making presentations, academics and diplomats agreed that free expression must be defended, but should not be used to justify hate speech or insulting language. In this context, the meeting on sacred values emphasized the importance of freedom of thought through emphasis on dialogue and tolerance.

Swiss academic Jean-François Mayer, who moderated the discussion, said that while the panel could not eradicate injustice and intolerance, it could contribute by finding productive ways to fight them. Mayer also said that he represents those who could not attend the panel and that the panel’s attendees aimed at contributing to better understanding of tolerance and dialogue.

GYV deputy chair Hüseyin Hurmalı, speaking at the 32nd Abant Platform in Ethiopia’s capital of Addis Ababa last weekend, discussed Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen‘s methods of struggling against ignorance, poverty and strife. Stressing that Gülen has put forth peaceful co-existence as the only solution to these kinds of problems, Hurmalı said the GVY, through several organizations that it founded, has striven to establish peace by fostering human rights, freedom of belief and freedom of expression.

Intolerance cannot exist where sacred values are kept alive

Dr. İbrahim Salama, who has worked for the UNHRC, also took the floor. Salama said that a lack of tolerance where sacred values are kept alive is impossible. “Religions are not an obstacle to human rights, religion even contributes to settling many problems. When one examines Islamic history, I am sure that many questions on human rights and peaceful co-existence will find answers, when the history is deeply examined. But I believe that terms like freedom of expression and belief give rise to confusion because they are not defined clearly.”

Emphasizing that the exchanging viewpoints was a habit of Prophet Muhammad, Salama said, “Our prophet spent his whole life fighting against oppressive regimes and he always exchanged views with his friends while he struggled with such regimes.”

Stefan Hammer, from the University of Vienna Faculty of Law, said that the ECHR clearly defines the concepts of freedom of religion and freedom of belief, and bans all kind of hate speech against any religion or race, adding: “Dialogue among nations and civilizations should be increased as well as knowledge-sharing and more constructive discussions. All sorts of hate and violent speech should be barred through dialogue efforts.”

Source: Todays Zaman , March 16, 2014


Related News

Albanian Ministry of Interior Violated Law in Trying to Deport Turkish National Selami Simsek

The Tirana Administrative Court of Appeal has concluded that the Ministry of the Interior acted illegally and bypassed UNHRC recommendations in its attempts to expel Turkish citizen, Selami Simsek.

Cuba wins Kimse Yok Mu cartoon competition

Aristides Esteban Hernandez Guerrero from Cuba has won the international cartoon competition titled “Refugees,” which was organized by the Turkish charity organization Kimse Yok Mu.

Mandela supported mosque construction in Johannesburg, says businessman

Turkish businessman Ali Katırcıoğlu, who sponsored the construction of an Ottoman-style mosque complex, called the Nizamiye Külliyesi, in the South African city of Johannesburg, has said legendary South African leader Nelson Mandela, who passed away earlier this month, extended great support to the construction of the mosque complex.

Guests Rub Elbows With Senators, Mayors At 2012 Greenville Dialogue Dinner

TRIPP MESSICK,  GREENVILLE, S.C. Close to one hundred guests turned out at the Embassy Suites in Greenville Monday night for the 2012 Dialogue Dinner, entitled “Empathy: Walking in Another’s Shoes.” Guest speakers included Dan Waldschmidt, CEO of Waldschmidt Partners International, S.C. Senator John Wesley Matthews, and Furman Professor A. Kadir Yildirim. Towards the end of […]

Despite obstacles, Kimse Yok Mu delivers aid to thousands worldwide

In spite of smear campaigns targeting it for two years and the government attempting to prevent it from continuing with its charitable works, the Kimse Yok Mu foundation successfully delivered aid to families in nearly 30 countries for last week’s Eid al-Adha holiday.

Peace Islands Institute Annual Gala 2014

On November 20, 2014 Peace Islands Institute hosted an audience of 250 people at its Annual Gala at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. The gala featured a silent auction, live appeal, dinner and exciting live performances.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

“Hizmet Reaches out to others giving much ground for hope” tells Prof. Leo D. Lefebure

Gov’t pressure to shut down Turkish schools sparks outcry

Turkish spies working for President Erdogan ‘infiltrate Germany’s migrant community’

Journalist Karaca sentenced to 31 years for slandering al-Qaeda-affiliated group

The gravest-ever smear

The Islamic case for a secular state

Police officers become victims of torture in Turkey

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News