News

French Officials May Have Second Thoughts Over "Anti-Sect" Policy

Warsaw, Poland. September 27, 2002. After the adoption of a much criticized law last year that many allege is a major erosion of religious freedom in France, an official response by the French delegation at a major meeting in Europe indicates some second thoughts as to the wisdom of proceeding to target religious minorities in this way.

The response by representatives of France to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe may be an indication that the "Anti-Sect" law and the government's policy in this area could be reconsidered.

Admitting the existence of the law and its provisions that can lead to the dissolution of religious groups, the September 12 statement says this would only happen "under very restrictive conditions, and as a very last resort," and that "to this date, the law has not been applied."

One of the most criticized aspects in the "fight against sects, the so-called "sect list" developed in what appeared to be an arbitrary manner, "is a parliamentary working document [that] has no legal value." The statement did however admit that some local authorities had been using this list to deny religious freedom to some groups on the list which included some well-recognized religious organizations. As a result, "The French government is taking steps to heighten the awareness of the administrative structures so that the list of sectarian movements can be recognized for what it is: a parliamentary working document which cannot serve as the basis for any measure to be taken," says the statement.

On what is probably the most controversial area-the establishment of "MILS"-the government watchdog body of "the Inter-ministerial Mission for the Fight Against Sects" the statement concluded, "we are aware that the aforementioned mission has generated a lack of understanding and forwarded an image which does not correspond to French reality. The government has undertaken a fundamental review of the objectives, role, and structure of the inter-ministerial Mission, of which the President, since the month of June, has not been replaced."

"Is the French government's policy on such matters changing? Perhaps!" says John Graz, director of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's department for Public Affairs and Religious Liberty. "These may be indications that the French authorities are responding to criticisms of this law that reduces religious freedom and criminalizes certain groups and beliefs. We have been concerned that the provisions of this law could well be used to target religious minorities and cause great damage to their civil and religious rights as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We welcome the admission that the sect list is not to be used to discriminate against any religious group, and that the spirit of 'MILS' may be reviewed." [Jonathan Gallagher]

Church's UN Representative Promotes Religious Freedom in Romania

Calarasi, Romania, September 26, 2002. Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations representative for the Seventh-day Adventist Church is currently visiting Romania to promote religious freedom in the country.

At a special meeting in the prefecture of the regional town of Calarasi, Gallagher spoke to representatives of local government, social agencies, and church communities on the vital importance of developing religious freedom and human rights.

"It's easy to forget that until twelve years ago, Romania was under a dictatorship," comments Gallagher. "As a result there's a great need to continue the development of democratic principles, especially the concepts of extending freedom of conscience to every citizen. It was my privilege to share our values and beliefs in this extremely relevant area, and to learn of progress to date."

Organized by the Romanian Religious Liberty Association leader Viorel Dima with the participation of local Adventist church leaders, the meeting was hosted by the regional council vice-president Marian Dragan. In a personal conversation with Gallagher, Dragan commended the work to promote religious freedom and identified this as of considerable interest in his district. "We appreciate what you are doing and will work with you to develop understanding of human rights and religious freedom."

L to R: Jonathan Gallagher, Viorel Dima, Marian Dragan

"This was an excellent opportunity to develop our external strategy of contacts with outside organizations and other churches," say Dima. "We value the contributions that such meetings make to the improvement of religious freedom in our country."

A meeting of minority faith groups has already agreed to work together in formulating comments and proposals to those charged with developing the new law. Several more meetings and seminars are planned. "Our intention is to create a network of all religious organizations so that the proposed new law on religion is the best it can be and that it defends religious freedom," Dima concludes.

Gallagher will be making presentations to authorities and officials in the town of Matca as well, an ongoing program initiated by the Adventist church in Romania a year ago. To date 120 seminars have been conducted.

Violence Against Christians Continue in Pakistan

Silver Spring, MD... [PARL news]. Two gunmen burst into the offices of a Christian charity in Karachi, Pakistan yesterday, September 25, killing seven men after bounding and gagging them, while two other men remain in critical condition. All employees of the Karachi office of the Organization for Peace and Justice, this incident is the latest in a series of violence against Christians and Christian organizations. The Organization for Peace and Justice is a Catholic-and Protestant-supported group that provides legal advice to impoverished industrial workers and women. The attack occurred shortly after police officers stripped signs identifying churches in private homes and placing sandbags outside Christian sites as an attempt to protect Christians and their organizations.

"We are appalled at the violence against Christians in Pakistan," says Dr. John Graz, director for the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) for the Adventist Church. "Violence against any religious group must not be tolerated and the perpetrators must be held accountable for such crimes. My colleagues and I will continue our efforts to raise awareness in Pakistan and other countries to promote tolerance and respect for each other."

The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan and largely Hindu India has never been resolved satisfactorily. Yesterday's violence caused an outrage as hundreds marched through the southern port city of Karachi. "Breaking the cycle of violence can be difficult and requires strong democratic institutions. Persecution of minorities reflect the difficulty for the state to control extremists and the danger of general chaos. At a time such as this, the role of the government and religious leaders is critical. Representatives from all churches, temples, and Moques in Pakistan need to promote a message of love and religious tolerance." Graz said.

In a World Report to be released in early October, the Adventist church's PARL department has listed Pakistan in category 4 (category 5 being the worst in terms of religious freedom) mainly because of the growing increase of religious extremism and the blasphemy law. About a dozen Christians have been convicted and imprisoned under this law, some condemned to the death penalty although no one has been executed yet. On January 16, 2002, the government of Pakistan announced the end of a discriminatory system of separate electorate, which is a positive sign for its citizens. However, the fact that they were unable to change the blasphemy law in spite of pressure from the international world shows how fragile religious tolerance is.

The Adventist church membership number over 7,000 in this population of 145 million people.[Viola Hughes]

Literacy Provides Hope

Silver Spring, MD... [PARL news]. For the 38th time, the world celebrated International Literacy Day in Paris earlier this month where the importance of literacy and basic education is linked to freedom and development. Recent figures released by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) showed a steady fall in the number of illiterate adults from 22.4 percent to 20.3 percent in 2000. In that same year about 877 million adults were non-literate, and 113 million children were not attending school. Of these the most affected non-literate group is women.

Africa and Asia reflected the best performances, showing an overall percentage of their illiterate populations shrinking by 5.4 and 2.8 percentage points respectively. Encouragingly, figures also show that while women still make up two thirds of the world's adult illiterates, in all regions they are gaining access to education and literacy.

The goal established at the World Education Forum (Dakar, Senegal, 2000) was to halve adult illiteracy by 2015. While progress has been made since 2000, Director General Koïchiro Matsuura noted that progress is slow. If the goal of the Dakar Forum is to be met, he explained, massive efforts is to be made in the coming years. Mr. Matsuura appealed to governments around the world to assume their responsibilities in guaranteeing basic education for all citizens.

The Adventist church has sought to address this problem by operating more than 5,800 schools, colleges, and universities around the world under its Department of Education. "Literacy opens windows of hope," says Dr. Humberto Rasi, director for the Department of Education for the Adventist Church. "Once we change a person, we can change the generations that come after them."

In addition, the Department of Women's Ministries, in cooperation with some of its regional offices around the world, conduct literacy programs in several countries to help combat the literacy challenge. Speaking for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (the Adventist church's relief arm), President Charles Sandefur said, "Much more needs to be done to combat illiteracy. It's estimated that one million Adventists are illiterate, and we need to address this challenge as well." [Viola Hughes]

Jonathan on set with co-hosts, Danny and Linda Shelton

UN Liaison Director Visits 3ABN

Silver Spring, MD… On September 19, at a visit to the headquarters of the Christian broadcasting station Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN), Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison director for the Adventist Church, presented case studies with video evidence of persecution and intolerance of Christians in several countries. Hosted and interviewed by 3ABN owners, Linda and Danny Shelton, Gallagher spoke of the importance of getting involved in combating religious intolerance, and the need for support of the Church’s representational work at the United Nations.

“I was very encouraged by the recognition of Danny and Linda of the importance of exposing the terrible examples of Christian persecution in many countries around the world,” says Gallagher. “By broadcasting the video evidence of church burnings and other examples of hostility and violence against believers we can better mobilize support for our program to combat persecution. 3ABN has provided a great service in broadcasting these cases and in letting viewers know they can contact us for more information and to give support for this vital program of the Church.”

The previous broadcast featured the destruction of the Adventist church in Turkmenistan and the ongoing persecution of believers there. Gallagher provided an update on this situation, and he also showed video footage from Belarus and Montenegro, along with pictures from China.

Robert E. Lemon at the United Nations

Adventists Commemorate 9/11 at UN in New York

September 11, 2002. New York, NY, USA. Seventh-day Adventists commemorated the anniversary of 9/11 at the United Nations in New York while attending the UN Conference entitled “Rebuilding Societies Emerging from Conflict: A Shared Responsibility.”

After observing a period of silence and prayer, Adventist church leaders then issued a statement read by Robert E. Lemon, treasurer at the Adventist church’s world headquarters. In the statement read outside the UN building in New York, Lemon spoke of those who had died, including members of the Adventist church, during the attacks on September 11.

“Seventh-day Adventists stand with all others gathered here in New York to mark the first anniversary of 9/11,” said Lemon. “Like everyone else, we were appalled at the attacks that took so many lives and caused such terrible destruction. We also grieved the loss of friends and loved ones, and suffered together with the families that were torn apart by the events of that horrific day.”

Lemon also called for the rejection of violence and condemned the use of religion for terrorist objectives:

“In the events of 9/11 we see the tragic results of the hijacking of religion for evil ends, the taking of innocent lives for some perverse attempt to make a statement. We totally reject the use of violence in attempting to resolve the problems of this world, and call on all people of good faith to do all they can to live together in harmony, toleration, and mutual respect.”

He concluded with a re-commitment of the church to peace and Christian values as expressed in the life and work of Jesus Christ:

“On this first anniversary we can think of no better place to be than to stand here and commemorate the lives lost, and to reaffirm our commitment to peace and goodwill to all. Our message is that of Jesus Christ who came to save humanity, to end such acts of evil, and to establish his eternal kingdom when he will “wipe every tear from our eyes,” where there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away.”

Adventist participation at the Conference was coordinated by the Adventist Church’s UN Liaison Office of the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty department which represents the Church at many UN summits, conferences, and committees. It advises diplomats, UN leaders, and non-government organizations of the Church’s global program of education, health, and spiritual development from the perspective of religious freedom and human rights based on moral and ethical principles, emphasizing a commitment to an improved quality of life based on Christian values and beliefs. [Jonathan Gallagher]

Robert E. Lemon reading statement

FULL TEXT OF 9/11 STATEMENT BY ROBERT E. LEMON

Seventh-day Adventists stand with all others gathered here in New York to mark the first anniversary of 9/11. Like everyone else, we were appalled at the attacks that took so many lives and caused such terrible destruction. We also grieved the loss of friends and loved ones, and suffered together with the families that were torn apart by the events of that horrific day.

Adventists died in the Twin Towers, on the airplanes, and at the Pentagon. We are not immune from such tragedies, and we mourn together with all those who lost their lives, and for the families so tragically devastated.

In the events of 9/11 we see the tragic results of the hijacking of religion for evil ends, the taking of innocent lives for some perverse attempt to make a statement. We totally reject the use of violence in attempting to resolve the problems of this world, and call on all people of good faith to do all they can to live together in harmony, toleration, and mutual respect

On this first anniversary we can think of no better place to be than to stand here and commemorate the lives lost, and to reaffirm our commitment to peace and goodwill to all. Our message is that of Jesus Christ who came to save humanity, to end such acts of evil, and to establish his eternal kingdom when he will “wipe every tear from our eyes,” where there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away.”

Dr Gallagher at the UN Conference commemorating 9/11

Adventist Leaders to Attend 9/11 Commemoration at UN in New York

New York, NY, USA... [PARL news]. Leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will attend the United Nations-sponsored meetings to commemorate the events of September 11 last year.

"Along with many others, we wish to mark the anniversary of these heartbreaking and devastating events," says Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations liaison director for the Adventist Church. "As the focus of the world is once again turned on New York, we can think of no better place we should be. Adventists have consistently worked for peace, religious freedom, and human rights. As we mourn those-including members of our own church-who so tragically lost their lives last September, we want to add our voice to call for harmony and mutual respect between nations and all peoples."

L to R: Matt Mills, former UN liaison officer, Dr. Gallagher, Mindi Rahn, current UN liaison officer for the Adventist church.

Representatives from the world headquarters, including administration and departmental leaders, are attending the UN Conference "Rebuilding Societies Emerging from Conflict: A Shared Responsibility."

In his message to the Conference, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said that, "The broad range of participation in this Conference highlights the need to pursue a more coherent approach to countries in crisis... Unless more intense efforts are made to address the deep-rooted structural causes of violent conflicts, no preventive measures will have long-lasting effects."

Also attending is the new Adventist liaison officer to the UN Mindi Rahn, who began her assignment September 9 and is also participating in the parallel youth workshops. "It's a sobering experience to be here and to start work this very week when such significant things are happening. For me it's an incredible privilege to represent the Church in this way and to realize that young people like myself are given such important responsibilities."

The Conference runs September 9 through 11 with more than 2,700 delegates in attendance. [Viola Hughes]