Afghanistan: Adventist Rep Endorses UN Human Rights Emphasis

Silver Spring, MD.... Speaking at a briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, during the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Seventh-day Adventist Church representative Dr. Jonathan Gallagher endorsed the emphasis made on building respect for human rights in the aftermath of warfare in Afghanistan.

"If a truly free and representative society is to be developed in Afghanistan (after so many years of violence and war), then fundamental human rights must be respected," said Gallagher. "For this reason we endorse the commitment of Mr. Kamal Hossain to make sure this happens. Mr. Hossain serves as UN Special Rapporteur of the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan. As a faith community that shares values of dignity and respect for all human beings, Adventists wish to practice what we preach through medical care, education and humanitarian aid--together with an unswerving dedication to religious liberty and freedom of conscience."

Gallagher's comments came during a March 27 meeting of UN member states and non-governmental organizations with Mr. Hossain.

"The Afghan people have been exposed to the arbitrary use of force for more than two decades," said Hossain. Human rights violations have included "recurrent massacres accompanying changes of control over territory, arbitrary detention, cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment, arbitrary and drastic restrictions of freedom of speech, freedom of movement and freedom of association, gender discrimination and discriminatory treatment of minorities within an authoritarian structure of governance and have suffered systematic deprivation of economic, social and cultural rights. The highest priority in the program for restoration of human rights is to replace the rule of the gun with the rule of law."

Hossain's report released on March 24 indicated that more than 10 years after the Geneva Accords (1988), the United Nations and the international community should not be content with half measures and inadequate steps which would prolong the agony of the Afghan people, who continue to be victims of a prolonged conflict.

Responding to a question from Gallagher, Hossain commended the work of non-governmental organizations such as aid agencies and spoke of their role in "facilitating the development of human rights in Afghanistan and increasing awareness of such rights in society."

Two such programs involve the reconstruction of the medical education program in Afghanistan with the assistance of Loma Linda University and Medical Centre, an Adventist owned and operated institution. Also, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA), the international relief arm of the Adventist Church established an office in Kabul earlier this year to coordinate and distribute relief supplies and facilitate rehabilitation and long-term development projects. "In addition to aid we extended to refugees along the northern and eastern borders of Afghanistan, ADRA supports education as a key to a sound future. ADRA is distributing hundreds of school kits as part of the Back to School Campaign in northern Afghanistan," states Charles Sandefur, president of ADRA International. [Viola Hughes]

Adventists Attend Hearing on Turkmenistan

Silver Spring, MD... At a hearing by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) on March 28, it was revealed that the U.S. government is considering granting Turkmenistan permanent normalized trade relations PNTR. PNTR is a very favorable trading status with the U.S. and is greatly desired by nations around the world.

Congressman Christopher H. Smith, co-chair for the CSCE, expressed deep concern about granting PNTR to Turkmenistan while the nation continues to persecute people of faith, including Seventh-day Adventists. In addition, Congressman Smith agreed to write to the U.S. Department of State to bring attention to the plight of the Adventists in Turkmenistan.

"We are concerned that granting PNTR will 'send the wrong signals' to the persecuting regime in Turkmenistan," says James Standish, director for legislative affairs for the Adventist Church. "Turkmenistan is involved in the systematic repression of the fundamental right to freedom of conscience. Its brutal repression of religious liberty should not be rewarded by the trade benefits with the U.S. The granting of any financial benefits must be tied to Turkmenistan's cessation of the violence against believers, and must be predicated on Turkmenistan returning property the government confiscated," Standish concluded.

Echoing this same theme, John Graz, director for the Department of Public Affairs for the Adventist Church stated that, "the human rights violations against people of faith in Turkmenistan are breathtaking in their severity. Christians have been tortured, houses of worship confiscated and destroyed, clergy have been arrested, and there is a program of suppression for the peaceful practice of faith."

Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1925. It achieved independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President Saparmurad Niyazov retains absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is coordinating a letter-writing campaign to alert U.S. leaders to the systematic violations of religious freedom by Turkmenistan. Information on the letter writing campaign, including sample letters, is located at http://ola.adventist.org. [Viola Hughes]

Fresh Religious Violence Erupts in India

March 22, 2002. Silver Spring, MD... Renewed religious riots continue to rip through the western city of Ahmedabad with six dead. According to Reuters, five people were killed in police firing, a sixth stabbed to death, and 14 injured on Thursday in the commercial capital of Gujarat state.

Described as the biggest disturbance in the area since riots began three weeks ago, several areas in the city are under curfew after almost 50 shops were burned by the rioting mobs. "The renewed religious violence comes as the local Muslim community prepares for Moharram, the month of mourning which marks the start of the Islamic new year," reports CNN.

In a statement released on March 12, 2002, by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the Commission is urging the U.S. government to "press Indian authorities to exercise their power immediately to halt the atrocities and violence and bring the perpetrators to justice."

Recommendations from the Commission calls for funds to promote education on tolerance and inclusiveness in India. To facilitate private-sector communication and exchanges between American and Indian religious groups and other non-governmental organizations (NGO). To send a message to the Barathiya Janata Party-(BJP) led government that virulent nationalist rhetoric is fueling an atmosphere in which perpetrators believe they can attack religious minorities. And to seek ways to respond positively through enhanced economic ties to Indian government efforts to protect religious freedom.

"A delegation comprising of Indian Parlimentarians reported that there are about 50,000 internally displaced people in several relief camps in the city of Ahmedabad alone and another 25,000 to 30,000 people have been displaced in other cities in Gujarat. The delegation further reports that the food being provided by the State government is unfit for human consumption. In addition, life and property of the minority religious community have been systematically destroyed and allowed, thus the State government has abdicated its constitutional duty to provide relief to the victims," says P D John of the Washington-based Policy Institute for Religion and State.

Continuing on, John says, "Rashtriya Swayamseval Sangh (RSS), the parent branch of India's ruling BJP party on March 7 made it clear that the religious minorities in India should understand that their real safety lies at the mercy of the majority Hindus. Such a statement by the RSS is a cause for grave concern not only among the 195 million religious minorities, but also to many Hindus; as well as the Constitutional institutions which for over half a century tried to promote pluralism, democracy and equal rights to everyone in India. Brute majority-ism has never been the standard of India nor the ethos of its people."

"Adventists have always been committed to tolerance and mutual respect, especially when it comes to religious liberty," says Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, associate director for the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the General Conference. "We are appalled at the dramatic rise of inter-religious violence and will work to combat religious intolerance and to aid those impacted by these tragic events.

In a statement issued by the Seventh-day Adventist World Church, the endorsement of principles of tolerance and peace is clear. "Adventists are called to earnestly pray for world peace and the holding back of the winds of strife and war. In a world filled with hate and struggle, a world of ideological strife and of military conflicts, Adventists desire to be known as peacemakers and work for worldwide justice and peace under Christ as the head of a new humanity" (Adopted by the General Conference Session in Dallas, Texas, April 1980). [Viola Hughes]

Adventists Support International Women's Day Celebrations at the U.N.

March 12, 2002. New York, NY... Representatives of the Seventh-day Adventist Church attended a celebration in honor of International Women's Day at the U.N. on March 8 in honor of Afghan women. Distinguished guests included the First Lady of the United States Laura Bush, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan.

"The room was jammed packed with only standing space when we got there early, which reflects people's interest in women's issues, but it was definitely worth it to hear the First Lady and Kofi Annan address the delegates," commented Samantha Burchard, U.N. liaison officer for the Adventist Church.

"Afghan women need concrete help," said Under-Secretary Kofi Annan. "We need to build schools and train more teachers to ensure every Afghan girl's right to an education. And people need to be educated on the right of every woman to a safe environment, free from violence, discrimination and abuse," he told the delegates.

Mr. Annan also said that "When women are fully involved, the benefits can be seen immediately -- their children are better educated and healthier. And they are better equipped to protect themselves against AIDS and other diseases; they improve families' income thus improving the economy," he added. "And what is true of families is true of communities - ultimately, indeed, of the whole country."

A trained teacher, First Lady Laura Bush emphasized the importance for education. "When we give children books and an education, we give them the ability to imagine a future of opportunity, equality and justice," she said. "Education is the single most important long-term investment we can make in the future. Today, on International Women's Day, we affirm our mission to protect human rights for women in Afghanistan and around the world," she concluded.

"It is important that we all work together for the well being of society," affirms Ardis Stenbakken, director of Women's Ministries of the Adventist Church. "In our department we are of course most directly involved in helping women and the girl child. For this reason we promote mentoring, literacy, health and economic development. To date our department has awarded 630 scholarships to women in over 60 countries. We would like to see that this type of opportunity be given to the women and children in Afghanistan as well. It is important that we as a church support the efforts of the U.N. and other non-governmental organizations to rebuild the community in Afghanistan," Stenbakken said.

The Adventist Church has attended meetings at the U.N. and the U.S. Department of State on the role of religious organizations in the rebuilding of civil society in Afghanistan and is committed to working toward this end. [Viola Hughes]

Former Deputy of Turkmenistan Receives Political Asylum

March 11, 2002. Washington, D.C. ...Appearing cautious but eloquent, a former deputy of the Turkmenistan government addressed panelists and delegates on Capitol Hill on March 7. The briefing on U.S. Policy in Central Asia and Human Rights Concerns was organized by the United States Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). The CSCE is an independent government agency that monitors religious freedom around the world and makes recommendations to the U.S. government on how to promote religious freedom.

The former deputy (name withheld for security reasons) was granted political asylum on March 4, 2002. "There is currently no government official in Turkmenistan who can positively influence President Saparmurad Niyazov," reported the former deputy, and "thus international pressure must continue."

"There is no political dissent within Turkmenistan as most political opponents to Niyazov are in exile or in prison, and the prisons are in no way like the prisons here in the U.S.," commented Dr. Rinat Akhmetshin from the International Eurasian Institute for Economic and Political Research. Dr. Akhmetshin says that organizations like the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) can help by organizing letter-writing campaigns to their Congressperson, and speaking up on issues of human rights violations at high-level meetings such as the United Nations.

"We are deeply concerned and sad over the situation and will do all we can to continue to raise awareness of human rights violations going on in Turkmenistan. No doubt this issue will be addressed at the Human Rights Commission in Geneva at the end of March," assured Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations Liaison director for the International Religious Liberty Association.

Bordered by Afghanistan and Iran to the south and the Caspian Sea to the west, Turkmenistan only recognizes Sunni Muslims, which makes up 89 percent of the population, and Eastern Orthodox that totals about 9 percent. Many minority groups, including Adventists, have been harassed, arrested, imprisoned and tortured. In November 1999, the only Adventist Church in Ashgabat, the capital, was destroyed by the government. On December 21, Maryam Ismakayeva, an Adventist, was evicted from her apartment for holding meetings there and denied alternative accommodation.

Turkmenistan president Saparmurad Niyazov, a former Communist leader, took power in October 1990. In 1999 he arranged to be elected president for life, thus confirming his complete domination of government.

Chartered in 1893, the IRLA has promoted and defended religious freedom for 109 years. The IRLA, originally organized by leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is universal and non-sectarian, seeking to address religious freedom concerns for all faith communities. For more information about IRLA, visit www.irla.org. [Viola Hughes]

Adventist Representative Comments on Turkmenistan's Persecuting Regime

Washington, D.C., USA... Proposals initiated by the US Commission on International Freedom (USCIRF) to address the ongoing persecution of religious minorities in Turkmenistan brought reaction from the Seventh-day Adventist Church's department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty.

Addressing the panelists and attendees at the Capitol Hill meeting on March 7, Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, associate director, commented that "We are appalled at the gross violations of religious liberty in Turkmenistan. The church supports attempts to make the persecuting regime change course and respect the fundamental freedoms that they claim they endorse. When churches are bulldozed and Christians imprisoned, tortured and deported, we must speak out against such atrocities."

The dictatorial rule of Turkmenistan's president Nyazov, former Communist supremo, has brought widespread condemnation. Nina Shea, commissioner for USCIRF, announced the Commission's proposals.

"The Commission remains gravely concerned about the situation in Turkmenistan, where conditions for religious freedom are extremely bad," she said. "Most groups, no matter what their religious orientation are now banned and actively suppressed." She also recommended that those concerned should write to their members of congress to protest the continuing human rights violations in Turkmenistan.

The proposals called for immediate suspension of all non-humanitarian assistance to the government of Turkmenistan and the cancellation of all state visits between the two countries. Additionally, the Commission called for the raising of Turkmenistan's appalling human rights record at the UN Commission on Human Rights.

Adventists have been targets of state-sponsored religious persecution in Turkmenistan, with the destruction in November 1999 of the only Adventist church building in the country, the arrest and detention of the pastor and members, fines and beatings, and the expulsion of an Adventist lady from her apartment for allegedly holding religious services there.

"We must send a clear message to the president of Turkmenistan that his actions in violating fundamental human rights are intolerable," says Gallagher. "We are asking all those who wish to support our protest at the treatment of religious minorities in Turkmenistan to write to both the Turkmen government and to elected leaders here in the US." More details are available at http://un.adventist.org. [Viola Hughes]

Adventists Support UN Campaign Against Trafficking of Women and Children

New York, NY, USA. Meeting with a number of experts at the United Nations in New York, Seventh-day Adventist U.N. Liaison Officers Matt Mills and Samantha Burchard expressed the church's support against the trade and exploitation of women and children.

The March 6 meeting, titled, "The Role of Values in the Struggle Against the Trafficking of Women and Children," brought together U.N. representatives, experts in the field, and non-governmental organizations in an effort to discuss the solutions to the growing problem.

"Increasingly women and children are being forced into prostitution after being tricked or kidnapped by traffickers," said Mills. "Those who find themselves in this situation are denied education and health care and often are unable to ever repay their 'debt' to their captors."

The trafficking of people, especially women and children, for prostitution and forced labor is one of the fastest growing areas of international criminal activity and one that is of increasing concern to the U.N. and the international community. Although men are also victimized, the overwhelming majority of those trafficked are women and children.

According to a 1998 study by the U.S. State Department, between 1 and 2 million women and children are trafficked each year worldwide for forced labor, domestic servitude, or sexual exploitation. An estimated 50,000 persons are trafficked each year to the United States.

Trafficking is now considered the third largest source of profits for organized crime, behind only drugs and guns. U.N. figures indicate that trafficking of girls and women worldwide generates nearly $7 billion in profits every year. Many are lured into trafficking because they are told that they will have good jobs and they will earn a lot of money.

Another disturbing problem involves the trafficking of babies, which are kidnapped and sold on an illegal adoption market. These children grow up without medical-records, or any registration whatsoever which causes trouble for them at a later age.

"Adventists strongly support the efforts of these organizations and others who take a stand against slavery in any form," said Burchard. "We believe our God is someone who holds high freedom and individuality, and we condemn this inhuman trafficking that treats human beings as a trade commodity."

Organizations present at the meeting included the United Nations, UNICEF, MiraMed, and Project Kesher. [AWA Staff]