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Call for
Papers
Research project on
Religion,
Human Rights and the Palestinian Draft Constitution:
Lessons
of Emerging Arab Democracies for Palestine
Institute
of Law, Birzeit University
Of the most important
elements constitutions deal with and specify are the type of government and
mechanisms for human rights protection. Constitutions of a large number of Arab
countries have endorsed Islam as state religion, and given Shari’a a unique
status as a source of legislation, while also recognizing, to varying degrees,
international human rights. This has always been subject of dispute between
secular and religious movements. In the wake of recent revolutions in Arab
countries, this has emerged as one of the key and thorny issues in developing constitutions
in these countries, as current discussions in neighbouring Arab countries tell.
Recent revolutions have
put Islamic, religious movements at the heart of government, and these
movements bring with them calls for increased role of Islam in public life. But
the same revolutions which brought these movements to power have started with
demands for justice, democracy and respect for dignity and human rights. This
call solicits papers which shed light on these developments, in an attempt to
answer the following core questions:
- Is the clash
inevitable between endorsement of Islam as state religion and source of
legislation, and demands for respect for internationally-recognized human
rights? How are Arab ‘spring’ countries dealing with this dilemma, what
are the prospects for respect for human rights under such scenarios, and
what lessons are there for Palestine’s constitution drafting process?
Papers could focus on the situation in one Arab ‘spring’ country, or
compare the proposed path in more than one country, in each case
highlighting the potential of arrangements employed or proposed on
furthering (or limiting) enjoyment of human rights.
- What
modalities for the diffusion of state-religion issues have been employed
in other countries? What impact did such modalities have on respect for
human rights? How relevant (or not) these are for Palestine? This could
include a survey of the issues and modalities employed, in any number of
countries, and examination of the relevance to our situation.
- How does the
process through which the Palestinian basic law was developed compare to
the process through which the draft constitution was produced, including
in terms of relevant discussions, trade-offs, and content? To what extent
the situation which has developed in the region post Arab ‘spring’ will
impact the current constitution drafting process, and what impact it could
have on the bill of rights section of the draft constitution? Papers could
also examine the impact of different scenarios on a particularly relevant
human right (such as the right to equality) or a single piece of
legislation (say the criminal law or draft law, or the draft family status
law).
Researchers are encouraged to
suggest addressing additional questions, or addressing above questions from
different angles.
Papers may be selected for
presentation during a conference to be organized in Ramallah, and/or Gaza, and
may be edited for publication, including in electronic form. Authors of
accepted papers will receive an honorarium to cover reasonable expenses.
Important dates:
Ø
By 15 July 2012: Abstracts
in either Arabic or English, no longer than 500 words, should be sent to
[email protected]. Early submission is encouraged. Abstracts will be
reviewed as soon as they are received.
Ø
By 30 September 2012: First
drafts, between 5000-8000 words, should be submitted for review.
Ø
By 30 October 2012: Final
drafts should be submitted.
Ø Mid November: expected date of the conference, during which
selected papers will be presented.
