A report has been submitted to the UN Secretary General entitled “Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief” pursuant to General Assembly resolution 79/180, in which the Assembly called upon States to take actions to combat intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief. In the report, the Secretary-General highlights steps taken in that regard during the period from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 while observing that individuals and communities, in particular of religious or belief minorities, continue being targeted with intolerance, discrimination and violence. The Secretary-General calls upon all stakeholders to promote tolerance, mutual understanding and respect in order to create a world in which everyone, regardless of their religion or beliefs, can live free from fear, stigma and persecution.

In this report of the Eightieth session, Item 72 (b) of the provisional agenda A/80/150 “Promotion and protection of human rights: human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms” on page 10, item 31, mentions about the side event organized jointly by ABCP HQ and Dharma Alliance. The report, in this connection, notes: “The non-governmental organization Dharma Alliance stated that, in partnership with the Asian Buddhists Conference for Peace, it had organized a side event on the theme “Human rights, a cultural heritage” during the fifty-seventh session of the Human Rights Council in October 2024. Panelists included representatives of the Asian Buddhists Conference for Peace, the Dharma Alliance, the National University of Mongolia, the Sikh Human Rights Group, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues and the University for Peace, as well as Hindu and Jain scholars. The panel shared perspectives on how Dharma cultures had contemplated human rights obligations for thousands of years and had translated that wisdom into a vast array of individual and social practices. The panel also highlighted how global norms on human rights could be enriched through key Dharma principles of harmony, mutual respect, shared prosperity and the interconnectedness of all life.”

See the highlighted part, which mentions about the side event in Geneva.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS ABOUT THE SIDE EVENT I GENEVA

“HUMAN RIGHTS – CULTURAL HERITAGE” ABCP SIDE EVENT IN GENEVA

4-8 October 2024

An event called “Human Rights – A Cultural Heritage” was held on 4 October 2024 as a side event of the on-going UN Human Rights Council 57th Session in Geneva. It was initiated by the Ulaanbaatar-based Asian Buddhists Conference for Peace (ABCP) in collaboration with Geneva-based “Dharma Alliance.”

This was the first time an NGO, especially a Buddhist NGO from Asia organized such an event during the UN Human Rights Council Regular Session.

The side event panel included and which was addressed by Most Ven. Khunkhur Byambajav, Secretary General of ABCP, H.E. Mr. David Puyana, Ambassador and Permanent Observer, UN University of Peace, Dr. Lkhagvademchig Jadamba, Senior Researcher from Mongolia, Dr. Jasdev Rai, Director of the Sikh Human Rights Group based in London, Ms. Sumedha Verma Ohja, Author and historian from India and Prof. Nicolas Levrat, UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues.

The side event was inaugurated with a video message from Most Ven. Khansur Khambo, Gabju Demberel Choijamts, President of ABCP and a video message on human rights and cultural heritage by Prof. Kusum Jain from India, an advisor with Dharma Alliance.

Dharma cultures have contemplated upon human rights obligations for thousands of years and have translated this wisdom into a vast array of individual and social practices. The esteemed panel at the side event shared perspectives on how global norms on human rights can be enriched through key Dharma principles of harmony, mutual respect, shared prosperity and the interconnectedness of life.

It had a good attendance with scholars, experts and diplomats based in Geneva, including Ms. Ts. Navchaa, Counsellor of the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Mongolia in Geneva.

The 4 October side event was live streamed and it was moderated by Dr. Prashant Sharma, Co-Founder of Dharma Alliance.

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Most Ven. Da Lama Khunkhur Byambajav, ABCP Secretary General, made a presentation entitled “Buddha’s Philosophy of Equality” at the an event under the topic “Human Rights – Cultural Heritage”, which was held as a side event of the UN Human Rights Council 57th Regular Session. Below is the link to the livestreaming of the event of 4 October 2024 in Geneva,

https://www.youtube.com/live/74dqEEifFuQ?si=dQ2tO8bvGZUm_k73

The opening of the side event at the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva

Guests attending the opening of the side event during the 57th session of the Human Rights Council

In the middle of the photo: Mrs. Navchaa, Counsellor of the Mongolian Embassy in Geneva at the side event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meetings in Geneva – 7 October

On this day ABCP Secretary General Most Ven. Kh. Byambajav, Dharma Alliance Co-Founder Dr. Prashant Sharma and ABCP managers Dr. J. Lhagvademchig and Ch. Burenbayar first met with Mr. Hakan Kivanc, Senior Representative of UNAOC-UN Alliance of Civilisations, Geneva Office. The United Nations Alliance of Civilisations is an initiative that attempts to “galvanise international action against extremism” through the forging of international, intercultural and interreligious dialogue and cooperation.

Mr. Hakan Kivanc briefed the ABCP and Dharma Alliance delegation about the work of his organisation. He said that UNAOC works mainly in five priority areas to which it brings a multidisciplinary and multi-perspective approach: Youth, Education, Media, Migration, and Women as Peace Mediators.

ABCP Secretary General Most Ven. Kh. Byambajav said that ABCP and its 20 National Centers in 14 Asian countries also work in the same areas as UNAOC and expressed ABCP’s interest in working with The UN Alliance of Civilisations. The sides agreed to continue their discussion.

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On 7 October, the delegation of ABCP and Dharma Alliance met with H.E. Dr. David Puyana, Ambassador and Permanent Observer, UN University of Peace.

The sides briefed each other on their respective organizations and exchanged ideas on releasing a booklet featuring articles on Dharmic perspectives of promoting peace and security.

ABCP with 20 national centers in 14 countries of Asia through the Standing Commissions has the potential to work with the UN University of Peace in promoting peace from a Buddhist dharmic perspective. This idea was welcomed and the sides agreed to explore possible avenues of cooperation in the future.

H.E. Dr. David Puyana, Ambassador and Permanent Observer, UN University of Peace was informed about the Ulaanbaatar Dialogue, who expressed interest in participating in the next UB Dialogue, which was initiated by Mongolia in the 1980s with the purpose of pursuing a policy of creating a dialogue mechanism in North East Asia.

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The ABCP delegation and Dharma Alliance on the same day on 7 October met with Mr. Michael Wiener, Head of the “Faith for Rights” Framework of OHCHR.

Mr. Michael Wiener briefed the ABCP and Dharma Alliance delegation on the objective of his organization, which is to foster the development of peaceful societies, which uphold human dignity and equality for all and where diversity is not just tolerated but fully respected and celebrated. He mentioned that the “Faith for Rights” of OHCHR co-organizes workshops and webinars to explore further the relationship between religions, beliefs and human rights and pointed out that ABCP and Dharma Alliance could also take part in such a workshop and webinar.

Dharma Alliance as a focal point of the

two organization’s partnership in Geneva will be coordinating further collaborative efforts between ABCP and the Faith for Rights.

Meeting with Mr. Hakan Kivanc, Senior Representative of UNAOC-UN Alliance of Civilisations, Geneva Office

Meeting with H.E. Dr. David Puyana, Ambassador and Permanent Observer, UN University of Peace

Before meeting with Mr. Michael Wiener, Head of the “Faith for Rights” Framework of OHCHR in his office

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 October 2024

The ABCP delegation led by its Secretary General, Most Ven. Kh. Byambajav continued its visit to Geneva. On Tuesday, 8 October, the delegation together with Dr. Prashant Sharma of Dharma Alliance met with Mr. Roy Mungoven, Chief of the Asia Pacific Section, Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Mr. Sebastian Gilloz, Human Rights Office of the same division.

Mr. Roy Mungoven briefed the ABCP delegation on the work, priorities and future plans of the Asia Pacific Section, Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division and noted that they are planning to open a Regional Center of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Mongolia. For this purpose, several visits had been made to Mongolia.

He also indicated that Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is planning to visit Mongolia before the end of this year.

The ABCP Secretary General gave a brief update on the history of the foundation of ABCP, its goals and objectives. Most Ven. Kh. Byambajav noted that through peace we can ensure human rights and expressed ABCP’s interest to work with Mr. Roy Mungoven’s division to promote human rights in Asia, where ABCP has 20 national centers as its members.

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On 8 October, the ABCP delegation met with the officers-team members of the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues. At the meeting Most Ven. Kh. Byambajav, ABCP Secretary General gave a brief update on the work, objectives and goals of ABCP and noted that “Dharma” perspectives” need to be incorporated into the plans and actions of the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues. The officers-team members of the Special Rapporteur spoke about the future plans and the activities of the Special Rapporteur and pointed out to the possibility of giving inputs to the Special Rapporteur’s annual reports, which normally focus on specific themes of particular relevance for the rights of minorities.

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On October 8, the ABCP delegation visited the WHO headquarters in Geneva. There the ABCP and Dharma Alliance delegation was by met by Dr Kim Sungchol, head of WHO Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) Unit and Dr. Pradeep Kumar Dua, Technical Office of the Unit.

Mr. Kim briefed the delegation on the work of his unit and shared his plan on the WHO strategy on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine from the perspective of academic consortia for integrative medicine and health. Dr. Kim said that the Member States are encouraged to develop and implement policies and actions to strengthen the role of Traditional and Complementary Medicine in national healthcare in line with the objectives of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023. He pointed out that besides biomedicine, several other systems of medicine exist around the globe, some of which already exist for thousands of years, indicating also the rich tradition and practice of traditional medicine in Mongolia.

The ABCP Secretary General spoke about the past and present of Mongolian traditional medicine, and also similar practices in many of the ABCP National center countries, thus making it possible to promote collaboration in this area.

Meeting with Mr. Roy Mungoven, Chief of the Asia Pacific Section, Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Mr. Sebastian Gilloz, Human Rights Office of the same division

Meeting with Dr Kim Sungchol, head of WHO Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) Unit and Dr. Pradeep Kumar Dua, Technical Office of the Unit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most Ven. Khunkhur Byamjav, Secretary General of ABCP gave a lecture at the International center reform John Knox in Geneva on 8 October on the topic of “Right to Development vs Right to Environment.”

Drawing concrete examples, the ABCP Secretary General spoke about the teachings of Lord Buddha on how nature and environment can and must be protected. He said that there has to be inner peace in an individual to begin with and through compassion, love and harmony we can overcome anger, greed and attachment, as these three vices often lead to excessive consumerism, resulting in imbalances in the nature and environment. Greed, for example, makes people want more without thinking twice how that is going to negatively impact the nature and environment.

The lecture was attended, among others, by Most Ven. Bhante Dhammia Tawalama, Head of the Centre Buddhiste International de Geneva, who was also one of the signatories of the Geneva Spiritual Appeal of 1999. Present also was Ms. Ts. Navchaa, Counsellor at the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Mongolia in Geneva.

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Below is the link to the webex covering the lecture given in Geneva by Most Ven. Kh. Byambajav, ABCP Secretary General on 8 october 2024.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk3zHUyKxAA

ABCP Secretary General Ven. Da Lama Kh. Byambajav before his lecture session

Attendees of the lecture

Attendees of the lecture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Message of ABCP President, Most Ven. 29th Khansur Khambo, Ganju Demberel Choijamts to the participants in the side event.

Message of ABCP President-Geneva Side event