The Mauritius Dharma Declaration Against Religious Conversion – WHF
We proclaim and affirm our acceptance of the unity of life and the relationship of all beings as divine and the Dharmic way of life as the way to tranquillity of the individual, family, community and world. The Dharma Shastras of Sanatan Dharma recognise that divinity resides in the Hridayam (Heart) of all peoples and that this divinity is the same Paramatma in all. As members of the oldest thriving continuous indigenous civilisation, a civilisation whose scriptures have for thousands of years enshrined the highest principles of human rights and ecological rights, our communities accept responsibility to act according to the scriptures and to actively remind other members of our communities, and of other communities of this scriptural wisdom.
1) We assert that our Dharmic traditions rest upon the protection of freedoms to think without constraint and engage in respectful free speech as given in many of our Shastras and also in international instruments (Articles 18 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights).
2) We assert that conversion is an act of adharma, of violence and is destructive of family, community and civilisational cohesion and is diametrically opposed to the identity specific rights of indigenous civilisations as enshrined in the UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP Articles 8.2, 11.2 and others).
3) We assert that the principle of conversion assumes superiority of one religious belief system over indigenous spiritual traditions, an assumption which is based solely upon supremacist prejudices. This assumption of superiority is specifically rejected in the UNDRIP: “Affirming further that all doctrines, policies and practices based on or advocating superiority of peoples or individuals on the basis of national origin or racial, religious, ethnic or cultural differences are racist, scientifically false, legally invalid, morally condemnable and socially unjust.”
4) We assert that the doctrine of conversion perpetuates the tenets of colonialism, i.e. the destruction of indigenous identities and the acquisition of indigenous assets, human, tangible and intangible. As such it is contrary to the word, spirit and intention of the UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
5) We assert that Hindus as a civilisation and people will no longer accept being treated as a subject of hostile and prejudiced “academic” scrutiny and the exploitation of our intellectual resources, an activity and orientation which is firmly based upon colonial prejudices and which is destructive of the human right to privacy and rights defined in Article 11 of UNDRIP.
6) We affirm that our places and methods of worship should be regarded with respect and be places of safety and hospitality, and not made the target of physical or intellectual assault.
7) We assert that the taking of life to produce meat for human consumption is an act of violence and is to be avoided unless absolutely necessary. This principle we recognise as a service to the Mother Earth and essential to the well-being of humanity and of all life. As a first consideration, where meat is consumed, we will hold fast to the principle that the sentient being must not be aware at the point of death.
8) We assert and resolve that in the interests of unity and solidarity, Hindus will not unskilfully and publicly criticise other Hindus and we resolve that in the same interests, we will create platforms and implements of dialogue for exploring differences of opinion within the family of Hindus.
9) We assert that all Hindus will proactively work to support other Hindu establishments and groups.
10) We will actively build mutual respect by advocating for the safety, freedom and well-being of one another, which includes standing up for the liberties of Hindus of all Sampradayas (lineages) in all locations and we will speak out and be activists wherever we see persecution of Hindus at home or overseas.
11) We will help to reduce distance between our Dharmic communities by advocating and facilitating communication, interaction, education and understanding amongst and between the global Hindu communities.
12) This Declaration shall be distributed to every Hindu and supporter of Dharma and given prominence by every Dharmic organisation.
This Declaration is made on the 20th day of May 2018, at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture, Phoenix, Mauritius by the delegates of the World Hindu Foundation Mauritius Summit and the Hindu organisations and persons there present.
Go to The Mauritius Declaration for Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s statement on conversion or watch the videos below.
Sign the declaration HERE. When 500,000 signatures are obtained, the Global Hindu Foundation (Netherlands) will start legal proceedings at the International Court of Human Rights and at the UN seeking reparations for the civilisational harm which has been deliberately and willfully inflicted upon indigenous civilisations, in direct contravention of UN resolutions.
Please share our campaign with as many people as you can. – World Hindu Foundation, 20 May 2018
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