THE Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has recommended to Federal Parliament that the Attorney-General convene an interfaith dialogue to formulate minimum standards for the practices of religious cults.
On November 27, Liberal MP Peter Nugent tabled in parliament a report by the joint committee’s Human Rights Sub-committee, which he chairs.
The report, Conviction with Compassion: A Report on Freedom of Religion and Belief, took 18 months to produce and was sought by Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer in April 1999.
Its brief was to inquire into Australia’s efforts to promote and protect freedom of religion and belief, the extent of violations of religious freedom around the world and the likely causes.
It also looked at the implications for other human rights of a lack of religious freedom and religious differences and the most effective means by which the Australian Government and non-government organisations could promote religious freedom in the region and internationally.
Ninety-eight written submissions – in addition to public hearings – included extensive input by the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC), Australian Catholic University, the Jesuit social justice centre Uniya, and many Christian and non-Christian religious groups and individuals.
