April 2000

Dear IRLA Board Members:

I hope that all of you are well and also your families. Below are some things that have been happening with IRLA recently.

1. Paris Meeting On February 1 and 2 of this year, there was a working group in Paris concerning the French legislation of "cults" and "sects." Some aspects of this policy can affect the work and even possibly the existence of some religious organizations. A separation has to be made between activities that are strictly religious, such as liturgy and church services, and other activities such as youth and health. The anti-cult/sect politics of the current government does not help religious minorities. The last report of the "Mission Interministerielle de lutte contre les sects" does not open a way for a better understanding of different minority religions.
2. Bert Beach and French Government Letter Our current president, Bert Beach, sent a letter to the French government to express his concern about the cult/sect policy. France's Minister of the Interior answered him underlining the fact that the role of the endeavor is to provide information, not to make laws. It was a balanced answer.

    

    

3. Public Lecture in Noumea February 18 - March 5, we were invited by our correspondents in Tahiti and New Caledonia to speak. I gave a lecture in both countries and was interviewed by the radio. In Tahiti, I met with Vice-president Edouard Fritch. We can see that the anti-sect policy of Metropolitan France has effects on the school system. Adventists are having more difficulties than before to negotiate their Saturday observance. The local governments in both islands are in favor of religious freedom.

    

    

4. Congress in French-Speaking Africa March 8 - 11, our IRLA-Africa Secretary General Emmanuel Nlo Nlo, organized the first African French-speaking congress on religious freedom. Delegates came from West Africa and from Burundi. The congress was well organized and attracted the attention of the media. We hope to have another congress soon.

    

    

5. Pastor Alexander - A Long Way to Freedom Pastor Alexander is still in prison. His trial has been going longer than expected. Our legal advisor, Mitch Tyner, will return to Sri Lanka to follow the last part of the trial. Richard Fenn, our expert on this case, will visit Sri Lanka again in August.

    

    

6. Anatoly Krasikov in Washington Anatoly Krasikov, the IRLA-Russia Chapter's president, has been in Washington with his wife Nadia, since February. He gave a report at the United States Congress. Anatoly is invited to many places to speak about Russia, and readily identifies himself with IRLA. Christianity Today published an interview of Anatoly in its March 6, 2000 (pp. 32-33) issue.

    

    

7. Natan Lerner's Book Congratulations to Natan Lerner for his new book : Religion, Beliefs, and International Human Rights! (Orbis Books, NY) The book is published in the collection, "Religion and Human Rights."

    

    

8. Bermuda 2001 International Symposium The Bermuda 2001 International Symposium's working group had its second meeting in Silver Spring, April 3. It was decided to have the IRLA International Symposium in Bermuda, March 22-25, 2001 at the Hamilton Princess Hotel. The theme is "Religious Freedom and State Regulations." We will invite speakers from the United States, Europe, and Russia.

    

    

9. Miscellaneous
   Please visit our webpage: www.irla.org.
   The new issue of Fides et Libertas is in print now.
   Please note on your calendars the month of June 2002 for the IRLA World Congress to be held in the Philippines. We are interested in going to Cebu the beginning of June 2002.
   The symposium on "Religious Freedom After Auschwitz" is planned for May 1 and 2 of this year at Andrews University.

God's richest blessings for you.

Sincerely,

John Graz
Secretary-General