The workshop that was conducted in Bangalore with the participation of members of the various religious persuasions marks another significant step in promoting human rights among the religious groups in Asia. A program initiated by Asian Human Rights Commission had as one of its main objectives the education of the religious groups, both lay and religious, in human rights. Implicit in this initiative is the recognition that a religious ethos still persists in Asia and that in the imparting of human rights the role and the function played, not only by the religious personnel but also by the rich symbolism, values and principles, cannot be minimized.

Pursuing this train of thought, the issue of Torture was identified as being central to Human Rights issues in Asia, consequent to which the workshop was organized. The widespread use of torture is found to be symptomatic of the breakdown of the system of law and order in the larger society. Thus a discussion on the phenomenon of torture is an indirect affrontment of a larger malaise relating to the state and the police and to their relationship with the society. Torture reflects the inability of the law enforcement authorities to play by the rules of the game - in fact the institutions safeguarding and implementing the rules have collapsed or are on the verge of collapsing.

With the reality of torture and the related problem of the collapse of these systems, which are so central and affect every part of the society, it is impossible for the religious who form part and parcel of that society to remain untouched. It is inevitable that their lifestyles, activities, movements and relationships begin to be affected by this turn of events. It is in this context that the work of the religious groups assumes paramount importance. Adoption of measures aimed at gaining people’s confidence in the legal systems, collaboration with the committed legal experts in bringing about the required changes in the legal structures, ensuring a constant dialogue at the level of the community on the rights of the people - these things become major challenges to the religious groups. The workshop at Bangalore is only an occasion to articulate this challenge and to map out proper strategies.

The workshop was marked by lively discussions representing experiences, views, opinions and concerns by the members of various religious persuasions: Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian. Despite the divergence of their backgrounds there was unanimity regarding the need to face this challenge as indifference would spell demoralisation and societal chaos. The churches that espouse non-violence, respect for life and liberty have very much to gain from the promotion of the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Inhuman Treatment or Punishment

Basil Fernando
Philip Setunga
Religious Perspectives on Human Rights
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
Hong Kong
25 - 03 - 2000

The Regional Workshop from 21 - 25 February, 2000 on the UN Convention on Torture at Bangalore, India