Poland: Latest info on WTBTS's involvement with OSCE (Organiztion for Security and Co-operation in Europe). Meetings begin Oct. 26th and end Oct. 7th

by AndersonsInfo 14 Replies latest watchtower scandals

• 

  Listener

  From the OSCE website comes this document dated 2004. It is headed

  "NGO RIGHTS AND THEIR PROTECTION UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW - JEREMY McBRIDE

  "NGO RIGHTS AND THEIR PROTECTION UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW -

  It states in part -

  The activities of non-governmental organisations are generally recognised as an important element not only in the initial establishment of a genuine democracy but also in ensuring that, once achieved, it remains healthy and flourishing 1

  . The contribution which such organisations make is often political in the broader and non-party sense but it is also manifestedin their pursuit of a vast array of interests - such as culture, recreation, sport and social and humanitarian assistance, to say nothing of the rights of those at work and the simple personal fulfilment of those who belong to the bodies concerned – that underpin the vitality of civil society. However, the essential role played by non-governmental organisations, although not open to question, is not one that is appreciated by all States at all times, not least because it does entail an unambiguous commitment to democracy. Nonetheless realising and sustaining such a commitment is an objective of paramount importance for global and regional organisations such as the United Nations, the African Union, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Organisation of American States and it is thus not surprising that provisions guaranteeing and promoting the rights of non-governmental organisations have readily found a place in many of the instruments adopted by all these bodies.

  The principal basis for securing the position of non-governmental organisations rests upon the guarantee of freedom of association but there are also a limited number of instruments...."

  This is an interesting article because it basically says that by an organisation excercising their rights to freedom they are in fact participating in the political democratic system.
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  The Quiet One

  Why has this not been publicised in the same way as the UN ngo scandal? Has anyone spoken to a journalist about writing an article on jw's having an ngo affiliation with the OSCE? Here's something that I found that seems relevant.. "The OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) recently held a Conference entitled "Human Dimension Implementation Meeting," in Warsaw, Poland, from September 24 - October 5, 2007. On its official website all members were invited: Welcome "The Human Dimension Implementation Meeting is the largest human rights conference in Europe. It is also the only such event where representatives of civil society sit with governments on an equal footing. For two weeks, OSCE delegations, intergovernmental agencies, and NGOs come together to discuss the implementation of OSCE commitments on the protection of human rights, therule of law, and democracy." — Ambassador Christian Strohal, ODIHR Director. see http://www.osce.org/conferences/hdim_2007.html Note that at the OSCE conference the "representatives of civil society sit with governments on an equal footing." Its extensive attendance list also included representatives of Jehovah's Witnesses" "Also it has been shown by a fellow servant of Jehovah that no one, except a government, can "join" the OSCE. Just like the UN, the Warsaw Pact or NATO, it is comprised only of governments. One can petition to become a recognized NGO (NON-governmental organization) in order to obtain standing with the OSCE. In order to become a recognized NGO, one must declare support for the governing charter. So they joined to the fullest extent they could possibly join. This is just as bad if not worse than the direct joining of the UN as an NGO, with that we perhaps had an excuse, as given by the society, but this there is no longer any way to avoid the subtle support of these governmental organizations." http://perimeno.ca/Letters_1107_OSCE.htm
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  Gayle

  As the WTS pushes for their "Human Rights," I wish it could be interejected at the right moment, the quote in the WT 7/15, how the JW organization name their 'former' members as "mentally diseased' and that the members cannot even greet them, including family.
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  Gorbatchov

  This is not real news. Because the WTBTS and OSCE have long time contact. The Belgium branch office (mr. Gillet) is one of the initiators.

  I'm not against this involvement, and would be happy when the WTBTS remains the contact with the UN earlier.
• 

  DesirousOfChange

  Does not this qualify as Interfaith?

  *** Watchtower 2010 6/1 p. 27 How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses View Interfaith? ***
  Our Readers Ask . . .
  How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses View Interfaith?
  ? According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, there are some “10,000 distinct religions worldwide.” Because conflicts between them have led to untold hurt, the concept of interfaith brings hope to many worshippers. They believe that it can engender peace and unity in a divided world.
  The Bible encourages unity. The apostle Paul likened the Christian congregation to a human body, each member being “harmoniously joined together and being made to cooperate.” (Ephesians 4:16) Similarly, the apostle Peter urged his fellow believers: “All of you be like-minded.”—1 Peter 3:8.
  The early Christians lived in a multicultural and multireligious world. Yet, when writing about the mingling of different religions, Paul asked: “What portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever?” Then he warned Christians to “get out from among them.” (2 Corinthians 6:15, 17) Clearly, Paul was speaking against interfaith. Why did he do so?
  The apostle explained that spiritual fellowship between one who is a true Christian and one who is not would be an uneven yoke, a misfit. (2 Corinthians 6:14) It could result only in harm to the Christian’s faith. Paul’s concerns were like those of a father who knows that some children in his neighborhood behave badly. As a concerned parent, he wisely sets limits on whom his child should play with. His restrictions may be unpopular. Under the circumstances, however, being separate would protect his child from bad influences. Similarly, Paul knew that being separate from other religions would protect Christians against their harmful practices.
  In taking that stand, Paul was imitating Jesus. While Jesus set the greatest example in promoting peace among people, he did not practice interfaith. Many religious groups, such as the Pharisees and the Sadducees, were active during Jesus’ earthly ministry. In fact, these religious factions joined forces to challenge Jesus, going as far as to plot his death. Jesus, on the other hand, directed his followers to “watch out . . . for the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”—Matthew 16:12.
  What about today? Is the Bible’s warning against interfaith still valid? Yes, it is. This is because differing religious beliefs cannot bond through interfaith any more than oil and water can mix simply by putting them together in a pot. For instance, when people of different religions come together to pray for peace, which god is being petitioned? Christendom’s Trinitarian God? Hinduism’s Brahma? The Buddha? Or someone else?

  *** rs p. 325 Religion *** (Reasoning Book)
  What is the Bible’s viewpoint as to interfaith?
  Would it demonstrate loyalty to God and to his righteous standards if his servants were to embrace in religious brotherhood those who themselves practice what God condemns or who condone such practices?...... “Whoever . . . wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.” (Jas. 4:4)