Two prominent speakers addressed different aspects of human rights at a public reception following a service at the Baha’i Temple on 11 December to observe Human Rights day.
The President of the Law Society of NSW Young Lawyers, Daniel Petrushnko, described how community participation and consultation are key tenets of human rights and are crucial tools for bringing about positive change.
Mr Petrushnko was a member of the Australian Child Rights NGO delegation which this year reported to the United Nations Child Rights Committee in Geneva, and he also led campaigns by the Young Lawyers on topics relating to civic education and on the mental health of lawyers.
“One outstanding learning from this process has been the need for grass roots consultation and education on human rights issues- this is something which should be provided to children at schools from a young age,” said Mr Petrushnko.
A second speaker, Professor Didar Zowghi of the Engineering and Information Technology Faculty at the University of Technology Sydney, described the denial by the Iranian authorities of education to Baha’is in Iran.
Professor Zowghi also outlined her involvement with the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education, an online university for Baha’i students in Iran, who are banned from university because of their religion. Seven staff members were recently unjustly sentenced to four and five year prison terms for their roles with the Institute. She described how academics internationally had supported the right to education for the Baha’is in Iran and how they had pointed out Iran’s responsibility to afford this right as signatories to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
“You too can help by raising your concern via the social media campaign at www.can-you-solve-this.org/au,” said Professor Zowghi.
The reception followed an 11am service in the House of Worship that included readings from the sacred scriptures of the world’s religions and a recital by the Baha’i Temple Choir. Among the attendees were members of “Friends of the Temple”, a network connecting locals to the Temple and the special programs offered on the Temple grounds.
Australian Baha’i Community spokesperson Venus Khalessi said Baha’i support for the protection of human rights is based on the Faith’s teachings and practical experience.
“One of the key principles of the Baha’i Faith is the oneness of humanity, and that each individual is born as a trust of the whole,” said Ms Khalessi.
“Australian Baha’is work actively to promote human rights. For example, we ensure that in our children’s classes emphasis is placed on such principles as elimination of all forms of prejudice, equality of women and men, freedom of belief and elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty.”