• Adventist Leaders Support UN Projects to Combat Gender-Based Violence
• Indian Religious Leader Warns of Coming Religious Freedom Crisis
• Moldovian Parliamentarians Call for Religious Equality

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Adventist Leaders Support UN Projects to Combat Gender-Based Violence

New York, NY... [PARL news]. The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEfM) announced on August 7 grants totaling over $1 million to support projects targeted toward gender-based violence, such as sexual abuse, rape, "honor" crimes, and domestic violence. The United Nations is also calling on government officials and the legal community to treat acts of violence against women and girls as criminal offenses.

Statistics collated over a 30-year period reflect a global epidemic of physical, sexual and cultural violence against women and girls. Last year in the U.S. alone, 4 million women were reported battered by their husbands or partners. In Columbia, 94 percent of all assault victims were women. In Australia, homicides solved by police between 1968-1981 revealed that 42.5 percent occurred within family relationships. In Bangladesh, 50 percent of women murdered were victims of domestic violence. Among women 12 years and older, 133,000 will be victims of rape. A British study noted husband against wife violence is as many as one in three marriages.

In a study completed in parts of seven world geographical divisions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, initiated by its Department of Family Ministries in 1994, revealed significant levels of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. "Our church is not immune to such challenges," says Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations liaison director for the Adventist Church. "We take very seriously such issues and identify with the U.N. programs that seek to end such gender-based violence. As a former pastor myself, I have seen the terrible damage inflicted on women and on families as the result of domestic violence. This is totally unacceptable, and is in complete opposition to Christian values and behavior."

"In my recent travels, I was appalled at how women are treated by their communities when they attempt or leave their abusive partners," says Heather-Dawn Small, associate director for the Department of Women's Ministries for the Adventist Church. "Often cultural traditions come into play, and therefore, the various ministries of our church, together with leadership, need to promote awareness and re-educate the mindset of our membership." The Department of Women's Ministries is also encouraging all faith communities to be involved in the August 24 Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day.

The Department of Family Ministries of the Adventist Church has produced a special kit called "Peace and Healing: Making Homes Abuse Free," for ministers and leaders to more effectively minister to victims and connect these victims to resources within the community.

"Scripture affirms the value of every person and their right to be treated with dignity and respect," says Karen Flowers, co-director for the Department of Family Ministries for the Adventist Church. Flowers also said that the responsibility to protect the vulnerable and to come to the aid of persons whose well-being is threatened by abuse and violence is a Christian mandate. "The call of the gospel to care and support one another in love is totally incompatible with the use of power to control, violate, and molest. We commend the United Nations for this timely initiative, and we join the wider faith community in a strong commitment to the support of victims."

Flowers explained that the Church's support of victims in need of safety includes identifying the challenges, directing victims to resources available to them, providing practical help and encouragement; provide education, prevention, and the training of pastors and church leaders. To get more information or to obtain statements released by the Adventist Church, visit the following web sites: http://wm.gc.adventist.org, and http://familyministries.gc.adventist.org. [Viola Hughes]

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Swami Agnivesh and Dr. Jonathan Gallagher

Indian Religious Leader Warns of Coming Religious Freedom Crisis

Budapest, Hungary..."If these religious conflicts continue, there is no future for India," commented Indian religious leader the Swami Agnivesh at a religious freedom conference in Budapest, Hungary on July 31. He was referring to violent clashes between various faith communities in India, particularly the Muslim-Hindu conflict earlier this year, and attacks on Christians by extremists, actions that have left hundreds dead. "Hinduism, with the reputation for being one of the most tolerant religions, has been hijacked for political purposes," he continued, warning that a major religious freedom crisis would result, with extensive violence and instability in the country.

Agnivesh, working president of the World Council of Arya Samaj, spoke of an inter-faith pilgrimage of 72 religious leaders from all faiths to the scene of many of the atrocities, Gujurat state, and said that militants had threatened them to the extent that the Army had been forced to provide protection.

In an interview, Agnivesh referred to his book, "Harvest of Hate," co-authored with Christian writer Valson Thampu. In heart-felt language, Agnivesh appeals to those who commit or condone religious violence: "In the name of God we ask you, the bloodthirsty actors in the tragedy of India, to have done with it. You have had your day. And have played your hellish theme to perfection. The land is littered with too many corpses already. Columns of smoke from the fires of hate choke the air. The sun hides his faces from this shame. Stars have fled from our sky. The wails of widows and the shrieks of burning children mock the music of our national anthem. A thousand wounds bleed. Our hearts bleed. Mother India bleeds. The obscene stench of blood fills her nostrils. Enough is enough. Stop this abomination. For God's sake, stop it. Live, and let live. Live in peace."

Agnivesh is also chairman of the United Nations Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, and also Founder-President of the Bonded Labour Liberation Front working on behalf of the oppressed and the victims of discrimination. [Jonathan Gallagher]

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James Standish (l) and Dr. John Graz (2nd from right) with members of the Parliament of Moldova

Moldovian Parliamentarians Call for Religious Equality

Silver Spring MD, USA [PARL news]. 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 placed 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.

Neighbors with Romania and Ukraine, Moldova's population of over 4 million is made up of 95.5% Eastern Orthodox. The Adventist Church membership numbers close to 12,000. [Viola Hughes]