Announcements

Ex officio member of the ISKCON Europe Justice Ministry Standing Committee

The ISKCON Resolve European Director serves ex officio on the Justice Ministry Standing Committee, contributing an interest-based, restorative, and conflict-resolution perspective to the Committee's work. The role is advisory and facilitative in nature, supporting principled decision-making and the effective functioning of the Committee.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Providing recommendations informed by conflict resolution, restorative practices, and ombuds principles, with particular attention to fairness, procedural integrity, and relationship preservation.
• Offering regional insight and professional experience to support the Committee's deliberations and policy development.
• Supporting communication and appropriate referral pathways between the Committee and ISKCON Resolve–trained Ombudsmen within Europe.

Role boundaries:

• The mandate is strictly non-operational and does not include case handling, intake, investigation, or case management functions.
• The role excludes responsibilities that could create conflicts of interest or dual-role concerns within justice or dispute-resolution processes.
• The Director does not participate in decision-making related to specific cases that present a conflict of interest (including matters connected to ISKCON Resolve proceedings) and does not exercise executive or disciplinary authority.

Adjudication Systems in Europe: From Design to Practice

The aim of the local adjudication system is to establish a process that is not only fair, but also consistent in resolving disputes and other disciplinary matters at ISKCON temples and centres, in accordance with ISKCON's Fair Process and Global Governance. This system is approved by the Euro Regional Governing Body (RGB) and is therefore applicable to all local ISKCON temples, centres, project leaders, committees, and devotees.

At the temple level, the Ombudsman serves as the first point of contact, encouraging informal resolution before a formal written complaint is filed. Complaints are categorized by severity, ranging from minor interpersonal conflicts to moderate ethical breaches and severe offences, such as financial irregularities or child protection concerns. Matters are then directed to the appropriate authority, including local adjudication panels or specialized ISKCON agencies.

If either party is dissatisfied, they may appeal sequentially to the Regional Council or Zonal Supervisor, then to an Intake Officer approved by the Euro RGB, and finally to the designated higher ISKCON authority for final review. The Intake Officer plays a crucial role in managing grievance and justice processes by ensuring that local adjudication and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms have been exhausted before escalation.

Once escalated, the matter may be assigned to a Case Manager within the Justice Ministry Europe. The Case Manager guides complainants, clarifies jurisdiction, and ensures compliance with ISKCON Law and Fair Process standards.

The Justice Ministry ensures procedural fairness through preliminary assessment, case assignment, investigation, panel deliberation, and the communication of reasoned decisions. Its Standing Committee, Appeals Committee, Records & Oversight Committee, and Communications Committee provide oversight, transparency, and accountability, while safeguarding impartiality and protecting all parties involved.

The Justice Ministry retains the Right of Refusal, allowing it to decline cases or appeals that do not meet established criteria, including lack of jurisdiction, failure to exhaust local remedies, procedural non-compliance, frivolous or malicious claims, previously resolved matters, pending legal proceedings, or conflicts with ISKCON Law or mission.

Together, the local adjudication system and the Justice Ministry's case processing framework uphold ISKCON's values of justice and integrity, offering devotees across Europe a reliable and principled mechanism for conflict resolution.