News October 2005

Ms. Asma Jahangir speaks in New York

UN Expert on Religious Intolerance Appeals for Support, Commends Adventists
watch video here (8 meg wmv file)

New York, NY… United Nations expert Ms. Asma Jahangir appealed for greater support in the fight against religious intolerance during a meeting in New York on October 24. She also commended the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, saying "you have been in the forefront of fighting religious intolerance, wanting a space for every human being to believe what they want to."

But much more is needed, according to Jahangir, noting that with the limited resources she had, it was not possible to do everything that was needed, but that by partnering with non-government organizations much more could be achieved. She spoke particularly of the dangers of politicization of religion, saying that "politics should not be allowed to overtake people's right to believe." She also called on all faith communities to commit themselves to ending religious intolerance, adding that "unless we get the support of all religions at the UN, the work that I am undertaking will not be achieved."

In a special plea to Adventists, Jahangir spoke with passion about the church's role. "I appeal to you, give new hope to people so we can live as a wider humanity, respecting each other's beliefs and religion."
Jahangir, who is the UN's special rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief, intervenes in cases of religious persecution and violence around the world. She herself is no stranger to violence and discrimination, having been the victim of an attack in her home country of Pakistan this year.

"We salute Asma Jahangir's deep commitment to tackling the growing scourge of religious intolerance," comments Jonathan Gallagher, the Adventist church's representative to the UN, who was present at the meeting. "The true modern tragedy is that more and more men, women, and children are suffering and dying just because of what they believe. As Christians we are committed to religious liberty for all people everywhere, believing that this speaks so well of the God of freedom." [PARL News]

Republic of Georgia: New Religious Freedom Initiative Launched

Dr. John Graz, center, with other participants at the launch of the Geoargian Religious Liberty Association

Tbilisi, Georgia… In a breakthrough for religious freedom, a new organization dedicated to promoting this fundamental human right was launched October 23.

Following an initiative by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), leaders of different faith communities, representatives Human Rights organizations, and government officials, met to inaugurate the Georgian Religious Liberty Association. The event was covered by the national TV and included the participation of two representatives of the Patriarchate of Georgia and the government Ombudsman Beka Mindiashvili.

Archpriest Basil Kobakhide from the Georgian Orthodox Church pleaded for the protection of religious minorities, a very real issue in the country where smaller faith communities are often attacked by the media and experience difficulties in building churches and sharing their faith.

IRLA Secretary General Dr. John Graz, chaired the meeting and gave a report about the IRLA activities and the state of religious freedom in the world.

"Religious freedom does not threaten any religion or church but is a factor of peace and stability in society," said Graz. "Religious difference is unavoidable in our global world and it is better to deal with this issue in the context of promoting human rights than to deny it."

According to the participants, religious freedom in Georgia has improved since the detention of religious extremists and the election of a new government. However religious freedom challenges are still a daily reality. Georgia has no religious law, and the Orthodox Patriarch is often viewed as the most important authority in the country. During his visit Dr. John Graz met several religious leaders and human rights defenders, along with Viktor Vitko and Pavel I. Liberanski who represented the regional organization of IRLA in Euro-Asia.

The participants elected as President, Dr. Vladimir Gokabhidze, Director of the Center for the Study of Religious Issues. Seventh-day Adventist Pastor Grigol G. Tsamalashvili was elected Secretary General. Orthodox, Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims are among the 21 members of the Board. [PARL News]

Participants at the CSCWC meeting in Geneva

Switzerland: Christian Leaders Meet to Consult: HIV/AIDS a Major Focus

Geneva, Switzerland… Leaders of a wide range of Christian churches met in Geneva, Switzerland, for a series of consultations October 16 to 22. The Conference of Secretaries of the Christian World Communions has met annually for some forty years, and provides a venue for frank and open dialogue in an informal setting, according to the current conference secretary, Dr. John Graz, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

"This conference is very much valued as a space in which representatives from the different Christian communions can interface and communicate on a wide range of issues," says Graz. While the agenda is not public, and there are no formal decisions, the opportunity to meet and discuss matters of mutual interest is of benefit to all, he concludes.
"This year we did ask for all representatives to speak on the subject of what their community is doing to help the HIV/AIDS challenge," Graz continues. "Faced with such a devastating pandemic, all Christians need to demonstrate their compassion and concern in very practical ways. It is important that we know what each other is doing so we can be aware and bring the maximum benefit to those who are suffering."

This year's conference brought together twenty-seven representatives from most of the main Christian denominations under the chairmanship of Dr. Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. [PARL News]

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