Calls for Action

  1. Activists who fight about civil liberties, human rights, and inclusivity should advocate for defending secularism, democracy, and equal rights, resisting identity politics and safeguarding laïcité. 

    Prioritise separation of religion from the state and challenge divisive cultural narratives by confronting decisions or beliefs that contribute to division and discord within society based on cultural differences like in the UK sharia courts.

    See Case Study: Muslim Arbitration Tribunal Case (UK)

    See Appendix A: How to create the transition from non-secular to secular states?

  2. Community leaders, educators, and activists should challenge stereotypes within political ideologies, acknowledging diversity between groups with different ideologies like conservatives and secularists. 

  3. Human rights advocates, legal experts, secularist organizations, civil society groups, and political activists should campaign against the inclusion of religious laws, such as "Sharia," in national constitutions to prevent the establishment of dictatorial regimes.

    See Appendix A: Tunisia's post-revolutionary period

  4. Experts in political science, religious studies, and law, along with think tanks, interfaith dialogue organizations, international bodies, and media outlets can facilitate discussions, conduct research, and raise awareness to foster understanding of diverse approaches to secular governance. 

    Acknowledge global variations in secularism's interpretation and application, distinguishing between models of secularism as separation and neutrality, where the latter model risks prioritising cultural and religious rights over secular separation principles.

    See Appendix B: How does secularism guarantee the rule of the constitution, rule of law, equality and universal human rights?

  5. Activists, organizations, and influencers dedicated to social justice and equality should support progressive voices advocating for democracy, human rights, and inclusivity, promoting dialogue and cooperation across ideological lines.

    See Appendix C: How to overcome the sovereignty of the state to enforce secularism defined by international human rights law, and how can trade partners influence such developments?

Initiatives Related to State Secularism as a Basis for Democracy and Human Rights

Main Outcomes

  1. Advocate for secularism and democracy, resisting identity politics and safeguarding the principle of separation of religion from the state

  2. Challenge stereotypes within political ideologies and promote understanding between different groups

  3. Campaign against the inclusion of religious laws, such as Sharia, in national constitutions to prevent dictatorial regimes

  4. Facilitate discussions and research on diverse approaches to secular governance

  5. Support progressive voices advocating for democracy, human rights, and inclusivity, promoting dialogue and cooperation across ideological lines

Panel Discussion Summary

In the discussion, Moncef Marzouki and Marieme Helie Lucas highlighted the nuances of secularism and religious dictatorship in the Arab world, as well as the history and evolution of secularism. Marzouki emphasized that the divide in the Arab world is not between secularists and Islamists but between Democrats and anti-Democrats. He argued for the importance of accepting plurality in society and respecting the rule of law. He pointed out that religion is often used to legitimize dictatorships, citing examples from Saudi Arabia and Iran, and discussed how secularists in countries like Tunisia have sometimes supported dictators to avoid Islamist takeovers. He also reflected on his experience forming a government with both secularists and Islamists in Tunisia in 2011, facing opposition from both sides.

Marzouki also discussed the situation in Indonesia, arguing against including "Sharia" in constitutions to prevent hypocrisy and dictatorship. He stressed that Islam is a complex and adaptive religion and that societal plurality and peaceful conflict resolution should be prioritized over religious rule. In France, Marzouki argued that the conflict between Islamists and secularists is a political problem rooted in identities.

Marieme Helie Lucas focused on the complex relationship between religion and secularism in modern society, emphasizing the differences between secularism and neutrality. She discussed the development of secularism since the French Revolution, the deviations from the 1905 law guaranteeing individual freedom of conscience and religion, and the EU's approach to secularism that prioritizes community over citizenship and democracy. Lucas argued that democracy is incompatible with immutable religious laws interpreted by self-appointed clerics and criticized the representation of Islam by reactionary figures. She also highlighted the opposition to Marian Boyd's proposal for Muslim family laws in Canada and condemned the prioritization of religious and minority rights over women's rights in the name of "community." In France, she discussed the demands of Muslim fundamentalist groups and the challenges faced by the Catholic Church and Muslim communities regarding individual freedom of belief and practice. Lucas concluded by criticizing identity politics and the concept of laicity, arguing that political power struggles are driving intolerance against women and Muslims in France.