Article 1 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union states: ,,Human dignity is inviolable. It must be respected and protected.”. If there is no respect for life, human dignity is put into question. Emphasizing life ethics need not to be understood in defensive terms but as condition for the appreciation and realization of human dignity. The principles of human dignity transcend time and culture, and cultural values related to human dignity are some of the most significant features of contemporary society throughout Europe and internationally. human dignity is a principle that transcends the subjective and presents a reality that is of critical importance to every one of us. As a principle, human dignity is always therefore unchangeable and relevant to all cultures. People of all religions and backgrounds need the fundamental freedoms based on human dignity to flourish. Human dignity expresses the intrinsic value of every human being in every stage of existence. In Christianity, this universal principle rests on the human being as created in the image and likeness of God. This defines the human being as a relational being. The Christian understanding of God is Trinitarian and therefore relational, so this is reflected in human existence. Politically, this means that human dignity is not just about the value and rights of the individual. Human dignity is not fully realised as long as the value of committed relationships is not appreciated and cherished. This includes valuing relationships and striving for right and just relationships in life, ethics, society and the economy.
Persecuted Christians, Identity and Foreign Policy
Recently there has been an outcry among many Christians in Europe over the attacks against Christians in Pakistan that followed after even stricter blasphemy laws have been introduced in that country. As usual MP’s and MEP’s here in Europe who are standing up for freedom of religion and belief (most of them Christians) filed questions over this situation in Pakistan.
“Spoken Word ‘Human Together’: A Relational Economy.”
Political think tank Sallux presents ‘Human Together’, a vision on how a healthy economy could look like.
Looking back and looking forward in promoting human dignity
From the director: Summary of Sallux work in 2022 and Christmas greetings
System crisis requires systematic change
Recently a number of Renew MEP’s (including those of the Dutch left-liberal D66 party) tried to exclude the pro-life lobby from the European Parliament. At the same time the communication by the D66 party over the intended nitrogen policy and the subsequent farmers protests in The Netherlands came across as aloof and uncaring.
Life and Ethics
This is the fourth and final reflection on the ‘four streams’ of Sallux about the stream 'Life & Ethics'.
Hate Crime and Hate Speech
Values, Ethics and Innovation
Legalizing Euthanasia: What we can learn from the Netherlands
Event Report: Conference on the Embryo Protection Act in Malta
Life Research Unit organised a conference on November 13th on the Reform of the Embryo Protection Act in collaboration with Sallux.
Event report: Preventing Abortion in Europe, Legal Framework & Social Policies
A very well attended event in Brussels at 22 June in cooperation with Sallux, ECLJ and COMECE as well as other partner-organisations focused at how abortion can be prevented and reduced across Europe. The widespread use of abortion is a social problem and a matter of public health that affects the whole society and engages our future. The purpose of this seminar is to identify good practices for effective abortion prevention policies, particularly among young people.