RIP: Beyond Conflict Vice Chair Dr Kishan Manocha

It is with great sadness that Beyond Conflict announces the passing of our Vice Chair Dr Kishan Manocha. Kishan was loved and respected by everyone who had the honour of knowing him. He spent his life working for peace and religious tolerance.

Kishan was one of Beyond Conflict’s earliest trustees and a wise and trusted advisor to the charity. Towards the end of his life he told us he loved being part of the charity’s work.

He was Head of the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw. Prior to that, he was ODIHR’s Senior Adviser on Freedom of Religion or Belief, with extensive experience in freedom of religion or belief and related human rights issues, including hate speech and hate crime. His work covered Europe, North America, the Middle East, North Africa and Central and South Asia.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Karolina Sobieraj and brother Inder. His wife Karolina said: “I am proud and honoured to hear how appreciated, respected and loved Kishan was for everything he was doing to make this world a better place. I’m sure his legacy will shine into the future.”

Inder said: “Kishan’s commitment to religious tolerance and inter faith dialogue stemmed from the fact he was a devoted Baha’i. The Baha’i Faith’s cardinal principle is the oneness of humanity.”