Religion and Human Rights in the Palestinian Draft Constitution: Lessons Learnt from Experiences of Arab Spring Countries

21 Jan 2013

Symposium

Religion
and Human Rights in the Palestinian Draft Constitution:

Lessons
Learnt from Experiences of Arab Spring Countries

The
Institute of Law, Birzeit University (Conference Hall 243)

20
December 2012

09:00 ndash; 09:30

Registration

nbsp;

09:30 ndash; 10:00

Opening Remarks

nbsp;

Birzeit University

Samia Haleila

NGO
Development Center

NDC Representative

The Institute of Law

Jamil Salem

nbsp;

10:00 ndash; 11:15

First Session

Religion and
the State: Past and Present

Chair: Islah Jad

This session analyses forms,
patterns and tools of integrating religion within the state affairs,
particularly through the constitutional text. It assesses how deep would
religion penetrate through the state functions. In addition to uncovering
ldquo;hues of secularismrdquo;, participants trace down major phases of the
relationship between religion and the state in the world in general, and in
the Arab region in specific. In this session, relevant developments are
reviewed on a worldwide level, or in certain regions or states, with a view
to assessing the influence of said approaches on the enjoyment of human
rights.

nbsp;

How Do States Usually
Deal with Religion in the Constitution?

Narmin Siam

nbsp;

Rediscovering Religion and Secularism

Majid Shihadeh

nbsp;

Religious Position towards the Constitution of anbsp; Civil State

Ali Al-Sartawi

nbsp;

Critique

Discussion

nbsp;

George Giacaman

11:15 ndash; 11:30 nbsp;

Coffee Break

nbsp;

11:30 ndash; 12:45

Second Session

Experience of Arab Countries

Chair: Randa Siniora

Presentations review the
current debate in Egypt and Tunisia, including a comparison of pre- and
post-revolution constitutional approaches pertaining to religion and state
issues. Discussants address results and consequences of various approaches to
deconstructing religion and human rights issues in the constitution.
Accordingly, opportunities furnished to citizens to enjoy their rights under
a variety of scenarios are assessed.

nbsp;

Religion in the Constitution in Arab Spring Countries

Ali Khashan

nbsp;

Problems of Integrating Religion within the
Constitution: A Comparative Approachnbsp;

Mohammed Khader

nbsp;

Problems of Integrating Religion within the
Constitution: The Tunisian Experience

Bastien Ballard

nbsp;

Critique

Discussion

nbsp;

Mudar Kassis

12:45 ndash; 13:00

Coffee Break

nbsp;

13:00 ndash; 14:15

Third Session

Palestinian
Experience

Chair: Mustafa Mari

This session seeks to
understand the Palestinian constitutional experience since the establishment
of the Palestinian National Authority, assessing whether Palestinians should
reconsider how to address issues in question in light of changes the region
has been witnessing since early 2011.

nbsp;

How Has the Issue of Religion been Dealt with
in the Palestinian Experience?

Jamal al Khatib

nbsp;

How Has the Issue of Religion been Dealt with
in the Basic Law?

Emilio Dabed

nbsp;

Entry-points to
Addressing Issues of Human Rights and Religion within the Constitution

Reem al Botmeh

nbsp;

Critique

Discussion