Persecution Watch

Tag: right

  • The Right to Ritual – Is “practice” protected under international law?

    The Right to Ritual – Is “practice” protected under international law?



    The Right to Ritual – Is “Practice” Protected Under International Law?

    The Right to Ritual – Is “Practice” Protected Under International Law?

    The concept of ritual and the right to practice it freely is a topic that has sparked debate and discussion in recent years. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, questions arise about what constitutes protected religious expression under international law.

    According to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), everyone has the freedom to “practice” their religion or belief without interference. But does this protection extend to ritual practices that may not be immediately considered a traditional religious activity?

    • American Anthropologist, Tanya Luhrmann, highlights the importance of acknowledging the cultural significance of rituals:

      • “Rituals are not just about what people believe; they’re also about how they live. They shape their sense of self and community, and provide a sense of meaning and purpose.”

    • International Human Rights Lawyer, David Kaye, emphasizes the need to consider the legal implications:

      • “When we talk about ‘practice’ in Article 18, we’re not just talking about prayer or meditation. We’re talking about all sorts of religious and spiritual activities that people engage in. It’s a broad term that encompasses a wide range of practices.”

    In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases that have tested the limits of this right to practice under international law. For example, in Ghana, a Christian community was allowed to continue its traditional rituals, including the use of certain symbols and practices, despite concerns from local authorities.

    While there is no explicit mention of ritual in international human rights law, there are several cases that have indirectly addressed this issue. For instance, in Romano Catholic Church v. Italy, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the Italian government had violated its obligation to protect religious freedom by prohibiting certain ritual practices.

    As global societies continue to evolve and diversify, it’s essential to recognize the importance of protecting the right to practice, including rituals, under international law. As Luhrmann notes:

    • “The more we can understand and respect each other’s rituals, the better we’ll be at building bridges across cultures and religious traditions.”

    In conclusion, while there may not be a direct mention of ritual in international human rights law, the concept is implicitly protected under Article 18. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it’s crucial to continue exploring and understanding the legal implications of this right.

    “Religious freedom means the right to practice one’s faith without interference. But that also means respecting others’ religious practices – whether we agree with them or not.”

    – David Kaye


  • From Inspiration to Excommunication: How Marek Tatarko Turned Falun Dafa into a System of Oppression

    From Inspiration to Excommunication: How Marek Tatarko Turned Falun Dafa into a System of Oppression

    The tragedy of many liberation movements is not their defeat by outside forces, but their corruption from within. Marek Tatarko, once regarded as an inspirational figure in the Falun Dafa association, has crossed that line. By excommunicating MindCoeur, he did not merely act as an individual; he revealed the systemic rot that can infect even the most idealistic movements when power is left unchecked.

    Falun Dafa, founded on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, has inspired countless people to resist persecution. But Tatarko’s transformation from practitioner to gatekeeper shows how quickly those values can be betrayed. What was supposed to be a community of cultivation has instead mirrored the exclusionary dynamics of the very systems it once condemned.

    The expulsion of MindCoeur is not a minor dispute. It is an act that violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

    • Article 18: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others … to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
    • Article 19: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

    Tatarko’s decision to silence and exclude is therefore not only unjust—it is unlawful in spirit, a direct violation of internationally recognized human rights.

    Resistance loses its legitimacy the moment it begins to imitate oppression. To cast out a voice like MindCoeur’s is not only hypocritical, it exposes a systemic issue: a movement once known for enduring persecution now replicates it internally, treating difference as danger and dissent as heresy.

    This is not about one man’s ego. It is about whether Falun Dafa, under figures like Tatarko, will choose to evolve into an ethical movement or collapse into yet another system of exclusion. Transparency, accountability, and inclusivity are not optional add-ons—they are the only safeguards against dogma.

    Marek Tatarko’s excommunication of MindCoeur is more than a mistake; it is dishonorable. It is a betrayal of human dignity, a stain on Falun Dafa’s credibility, and a reminder that the true test of resistance is not how bravely it stands against external oppression, but how justly it treats its own.

    History will not remember inspirational slogans. It will remember whether those who preached compassion lived by it—or used it as a mask for control.