FORB around the world

• Select enough case studies for each small group of 3-4 participants to have a different case. Pick a variety of cases that illustrate the situation for different faith communities in various parts of the world. Print four copies of each case study chosen.
• From the list below, select discussion questions that best match the knowledge level and needs of your target audience and write them on a flipchart sheet or PowerPoint slide.
• Flipchart sheets and markers for each small group to record their discussions.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Choose from the list of questions below in accordance with the knowledge level of the group and the method used to introduce the topic/the terminology they are familiar with.

1. Who are the victims of the violations?

2. In what way is their right to freedom of religion or belief being violated? AND/OR

3. What type of violation can you see in this case – discrimination, restrictions or violence? AND/OR

4. What dimensions of their right to freedom of religion or belief are being violated?

5. What other rights are being violated? List as many as you can.

6. Who is committing these violations? OR

7. Would you characterise these violations as government violations and/or social hostilities and/or government failures? OR

8. Who is responsible for these violations – for committing them, creating circumstances that enable them, or failing to prevent/halt or prosecute them? Include the roles of both legal and moral duty bearers.

9. Why do you think this is happening – why are these victims being targeted, why are those responsible acting in this way?

10. In what ways are these violations a) similar and b) different to those taking place in your context/against your faith community?

11. Can you learn anything from this case that is relevant to your own context?

NOTE

Question 3 picks up on the ready-made presentation on understanding violations from Session 4 of the Local Changemakers Course.

Question 4 relates to the ‘Dimensions of FORB’ exercise and the FORB Learning Platform’s 8 films on FORB .

Question 8 works well for groups who have done ‘The clifftop’ exercise, exploring legal and moral duty bearers.

Explain that the group is now going to do an exercise exploring different types of violations of FORB facing different groups around the world.

• Form small groups of four (or no less than three per group). Give each group member a copy of the group’s case study with each group receiving a different case study.
• Explain that each group is going to read the case study they have been given and discuss it in their groups. Go through the flipchart sheet/PowerPoint slide of discussion questions making sure people understand the questions.
• Ask each group to appoint a note-taker and a presenter, who will present the conclusions of their discussions back to the plenary for 5 minutes each and respond to any comments or questions from the rest of the participants.

GROUP DISCUSSION (25 MIN)

Circulate between the groups to answer any questions they might have during their discussion, and to monitor the group dynamic – draw quieter participants into the discussion if needed. Remind participants that they have around 4 or 5 minutes per question.

GROUP FEEDBACK & PLENARY DISCUSSION (30 MIN)

Allow each group to present for up to 5 min, remembering to clap after each presentation! Invite the other participants to ask questions they might have. Be prepared to ask the presenters clarifying questions such as ‘Could you say more about…’.

Congratulate presenters and groups on their work and their insightful reflections. Conclude by saying something along the following lines:

• One of the most important skills we need to have to work for freedom of religion or belief for all is the ability to recognise violations.
• It can offer us a new perspective when we step back from the situation of our own community or context and learn about the challenges to freedom of religion or belief in other parts of the world.
• In other contexts, other faith communities face violations and persecution – and members of our own faith community may sometimes be persecutors.