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August 2002 Adventist World Affairs | Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

(News and Analysis from the Department of Public Affairs of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church)

In this issue:
· Brazil: New Law Prohibits Examinations on Sunday
· US: Moldovan Parliaments Call for Religious Liberty
· US: Students Mark Historical Development
· US: Adventists Endorse UN Efforts to Rebuild Afghan’s Education System

BRAZIL: New Law Prohibits Examinations on Sunday

Belém, Pará… On June 18, representatives of the Brazilian state of Pará approved, in all rounds of voting, a Bill which prohibits holding public examinations on Saturday. The Bill was authored by Representative Martinho Carmona, president of the Pará Legislative Assembly, and states specifically that exams cannot be scheduled between 2 p.m. on Fridays through 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

Quoted in O Liberal, a local newspaper, President Carmona said, “With this new development, Seventh-day Adventists, Jews, and others will have the same opportunities that everyone else has. This is nothing more than recovering a right that they did not have.”

The push for this effort came when 13 Adventist university students faced an exam scheduled on Saturday (or Sabbath) last March. When the students approached President Carmona, they were given permission to sit for the exam on a Saturday night instead. “We were happy, because in addition to helping us, President Carmona took the initiative of proposing the new Bill. He also accepted our invitation to speak in one of our worship services,” said Orley de Morais, one of the 13 students.

“While the approved Bill will only apply in the state mentioned above, there are similar laws in 15 other states in Brazil. This approval is definitely a positive milestone for the Adventist Church in Brazil. In standing firm for our beliefs, our students have played a part in not only “opening doors” with a government official, but making the path easier for future students,” commented Siloé Almeida, director of public affairs and religious liberty for the church’s South American Division territory.

The Bill has been sent to Governor Almir Gabriel, to be sanctioned or vetoed. According to Elder Jairo Emerick Torres, president of the church’s South American Division, it was Governor Gabriel who sanctioned the law regarding college entrance examinations in 1998. Thus Torres is confident that Governor Gabriel will be consistent by sanctioning the Bill for Belém, Pará.

There are some 800,000 Adventists in Brazil, worshiping in more than 3,000 churches. [AWA Staff]

US: Moldovan Parliaments Call for Religious Equality

Silver Spring MD, USA. Members of the Parliament of Moldova called for religious equality during a visit to the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church on August 1, 2002. “As members of the European Council, we must not only respect the regulations of the Council, but treat all religions equal in our country,” said Stefan Secareanu, a member of the Committee for Human Rights and National Minorities for the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.

A guest of the U.S. Department of State, Mr. Secareanu and three of his other colleagues are on a tour of some cities in the U.S. to observe and learn about minority and human rights issues in the U.S.

The Adventist Church has, in the past, experienced some difficulty in registering new congregations in the Pridnestrovye Region, faced problems renting facilities for religious activities, and not permitted to advertise religious programs through the media. Responding to questions from the Adventist delegation, Valeriu Calmatui, a member of the Committee for Economy, Industry, Budget and Finance, reported that registration in the past had been a problem, but that a new law voted just two weeks ago has streamlined the process, which is now simpler and less complex. “Registration for churches is necessary, just like one would register an educational institution,” Mr. Calmatui said. Chaired by Mihail Jatsco, the newly established Commission for Religious Affairs now processes all registration requests in Moldova.

“We commend the Moldovian government for their efforts in working with other governments and non-governmental organizations to seek ways to promote religious freedom in their country, and to seek what is necessary to ensure appropriate legislation are in place to maintain freedom and harmony,” said Dr. John Graz, director for the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the Adventist Church.”

Other members of the Moldovian Parliament included Mr. Mihail Andronic, member of the Public Administration Committee; and Mr. Iosif Chetraru, a member of the Committee for Human Rights and National Minorities.

Moldova, a country of some 4 million people is located between Romania and Ukraine. More than 95 percent of Moldova’s citizens profess the Eastern Orthodox faith. The Adventist Church membership numbers close to 12,000. [Viola Hughes]

US: Students Mark Historical Development

Silver Spring, MD…The office of legislative affairs for the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty hosted interns this summer for the first time ever in their history. The inaugural team, Hannah White and Miriam Cho, came to the office highly recommended by their college professors.

Ms. Cho, a law student from the University of Virginia, researched state Sunday laws and attended several meetings downtown during her time in the department. Her excellent research skills have gained her a part-time position this Fall researching for the Office of Legal Counsel when she returns to Charlottesville, Virginia.

“I have learned a lot from my research. It is surprising that many Sunday laws still exist at the state-level. It has been interesting to discover the patterns, as well as the background behind these laws.”

While the office of legislative affairs was aware that there are many Sunday laws still on the books at the state level, it has not, until this time, had an up-to-date picture of the scope and jurisdiction covered by the laws. Cho’s legal research is, therefore, creating an invaluable resource.

Ms. White, a pre-law student from Columbia Union College, has also attended meetings downtown in addition to coordinating press events, and providing support for the push to pass the Workplace Religious Freedom Act (S. 2572). “I’ve learned a lot from attending meetings on Capitol Hill and learning how a legislative campaign is run,” said White. “This internship has confirmed my interest in pursuing a career in the law.” She scored exceptionally well in the LSAT exam this past summer.

“Both Miriam and Hannah proved to be exceptionally helpful,” said James Standish, director of legislative affairs for the Adventist Church. “It is my hope that their experience will assist them as they prepare to pursue their legal careers, and inspire them to be active in defending human rights.” [AWA staff]

US: Adventist Endorse UN Efforts to Rebuild Afghan’s Education System

New York, NY… On July 9 the United Nations appealed to donor countries for $27 million to rebuild Afghanistan’s education system, $10 million of which will be donated by Japan. Over 200,000 education experts and academics were lost, while its 17 universities and institutes were left devastated by conflict over the past two decades. Up to 4 million children are seeking to resume learning, many of whom were refugees with their families and are now returning to Afghanistan.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said their efforts would focus on rehabilitating Kabul University, training educational professionals, and developing non-formal and distance learning programs. Afghanistan’s illiteracy rate is among the highest in the world.

Dr. Humberto Rasi, director of education for the Adventist Church, agrees that rebuilding the education system in Afghanistan is a good opportunity for our church to be involved. The Adventist Church operates over 6,000 schools (elementary, secondary, colleges and universities) worldwide, a reflection of the high value the Adventist Church places on education. Rasi would like to propose to church leaders to look into partnering with the UN in this venture.

“As a faith community dedicated to values of education, the Adventist Church is committed to doing all it can to help rebuild the war-ravaged education system,” said Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison director for the Adventist Church.

Loma Linda University and Medical Center, an Adventist owned and operated institution, is involved in the reconstruction of the medical education program in Afghanistan. UNESCO director-general Koïchiro Matsuura said a “massive effort” had already begun to reopen schools, enabling Afghan children back into class.

The agency and the Afghan authorities have outlined a series of projects. Children with special needs, such as orphans and the disabled, will also be targeted. Over 35,000 children have been victims of landmines in Afghanistan, the most mine-contaminated country in the world. [Viola Hughes]

Copyright © 2002 Public Affairs and Religious Liberty. All rights reserved.
AWA may be reprinted or quoted providing acknowledgment is given.
Director, John Graz; Editor, Jonathan Gallagher; Advisor, Eugene Hsu; Managing Editor, Viola Hughes. Contributors: James Standish, Bert Beach, Samantha Burchard, Matthew Mills, Division PARL directors; Proofreader: Becki Timon.
12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904, U.S.A. Tel: +301.680.6683; Fax: +301.680.6695. Email: HughesV@gc.adventist.org.