April 2011
9th Annual Religious Liberty Dinner Broadcast
Global Faith and Freedom Records New Season
From left, Attorney Dwayne Leslie, IRLA Director of US Congressional Affairs; Dr. John Graz, IRLA Secretary-General; far right, Barry Bussey, program host and IRLA UN Relations director.
Twenty-nine new programs explore current issues in religious freedom around the world
The Hope Channel studios in Silver Spring, Maryland buzzed with activity March 21 to 24 as the television program Global Faith and Freedom recorded its new season. Over the four days, 29 half-hour programs were recorded featuring a diverse group of guests, including scholars such as John Witte, Jr. of Emory University and Bryan McGraw of Wheaton College and representatives from non-governmental organizations such as The Beckett Fund for Religious Liberty and The Sikh Coalition. They addressed a broad range of topics, from religious freedom in the Middle East to religious freedom for the Sikh community in North America.
Dr. John Graz, Secretary General of the International Religious Liberty Association, said he was pleased by the variety of guests who participated. "The programs were informative and I am sure that our audience will be pleased with what they will see."
The shows were hosted by Barry W. Bussey, the current United Nations Relations Director of the IRLA. He praised both the contribution of the guests and the skills of the Hope TV team, saying, "We're always pleased to be able to work with such a group of talented professionals."
UN Drops Controversial "Defamation of Religion" Resolution
IRLA commends action of Human Rights Council
The United Nations Human Rights Council has moved decisively away from a resolution that sought to protect religion from defamation, and which for the past 12 years has drawn widespread criticism from human rights advocates around the world. Since 1999, the controversial Defamation of Religions resolution had been championed by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), which argued the resolution was needed to combat “incitement to religious hatred in general and against Islam and Muslims in particular."
The 47-member Human Rights Council rejected this argument March 23 and voted instead for a resolution that seeks to protect individuals from religious persecution and violence, rather than protect religion from criticism.
The Defamation of Religions resolution had been passed every year since 1999. If it had become a binding legal precedent it would have restricted freedom of speech and involved governments in the affairs of religion. It was widely seen as a cover for the blasphemy laws in Pakistan, which led to the violent killings of prominent politicians including Christian cabinet member Shahbaz Bhatti.
The Human Rights Council passed the new resolution by consensus. The new wording removes many of the controversial statements and instead focuses on the “intolerance, discrimination and violence” aimed at individuals as opposed to religions. It condemns religious hatred that leads to incitement of violence against religious followers and appeals to government intervention.
Support for the former Defamation of Religion resolution reached a peak in 2006, receiving 111 votes in the UN General Assembly. But by 2010 support plummeted to a mere 76 votes—well less than half of the General Assembly. The number of “No” votes combined with the number of abstentions has exceeded the “yes” votes for the past three years. In 2010, 64 countries voted no and 42 abstained.
“Though we are pleased with the removal of the Defamation of Religions resolution,” notes Barry Bussey, the IRLA representative at the UN, “we cannot but be moved at the sacrifice of individuals like Shahbaz Bhatti.”
Washington Dinner Celebrates Religious Freedom
Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, President Barak Obama's nominee for the post of Relgious Freedom Ambassador-at-Large, was the keynote speaker.
Ninth annual Religious Liberty Dinner brings together diverse group of leaders
More than 200 ambassadors, government officials, religious leaders, and religious liberty advocates came together April 5 to celebrate religious freedom and honor those around the world who work to protect and promote this basic human right.
The ninth annual Religious Liberty Dinner, hosted by the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), Liberty Magazine, the North American Religious Liberty Association, and the Seventh-day Adventist world church, was held at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel in northwest Washington, DC. The evening was marked at times by a mood of solemnity as speakers paid tribute to those who have lost their lives in the cause of advancing freedom. The brutal assassination last month of religious freedom reformer Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s only Christian cabinet minister, has shaken the religious liberty community, and numerous speakers paid tribute to Bhatti’s courage and commitment. A friend and colleague of Bhatti, Knox Thames, director of policy and research at the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, told the audience that the best way they could remember this man of integrity was to “make his death matter” by continuing his work.
Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, President Barak Obama’s nominee for the position of Religious Freedom Ambassador-at-Large, was the keynote speaker. She praised the work of the International Religious Liberty Association, and called on all those present to recommit themselves to the effort of protecting and preserving freedom of conscience around the world.
Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Cook said the path to living in peace with others involves learning to “listen to and learn from others,” especially those who think differently to ourselves.
Dr. Cook cited the recent political upheavals in the Middle East, saying “change is upon us” and affirming that it is the responsibility of both the United States and those who love freedom to do all they can to partner with countries that are reforming their governments so that freedom will become a central principle of their governing documents.
Dr. Cook ended her 20-minute speech with the words of an old African American spiritual: “Friends, don’t you get weary, for there is work to be done.”
Three advocates of religious freedom were honored at the dinner. Bishop Gunnar Stålsett, Norway’s much-loved former Bishop of Oslo, received the Religious Liberty International Award for his lifetime of efforts in promoting peace and reconciliation between people of different faith traditions. Kit Bigelow, former external affairs director for the National Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís was honored for her 25 years of strong human rights advocacy both at the United Nations in New York and in Washington. Edwards Woods III, volunteer director of the Lake Region Chapter of the North American Religious Liberty Association, was this year’s recipient of the A.T. Jones medal for his tireless grassroots activism in building up religious liberty support across Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
Pastor Ted NC Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, paid tribute to all those present who were working to promote respect and understanding between people of different faiths. Pastor Wilson said that religious liberty is part of the “DNA of the Adventist Church” and reaffirmed the church’s longstanding commitment to protect and promote this freedom for all people, everywhere, no matter what their faith tradition.
Religious Freedom "Is Not a Luxury"
Secretary General urges religious liberty advocates to protect freedom from "gradual erosion"
“Religious freedom is not a luxury, it is a fundamental and established human right,” said Dr. John Graz, Secretary General of the International Religious Liberty Association, addressing scholars, religious liberty experts and religious leaders at an April 4 conference in Provo, Utah.
The 22nd annual conference of the LDS International Society was held on the campus of Brigham Young University, and explored the theme of “The Erosion of Religious Liberties: Impact on the International Church.”
Dr. Graz reported on the current state of religious freedom around the world, and said the past decade has seen a number of disturbing trends emerge in many countries, including an increase in the level of control exerted by states over religion, the formation of new alliances between governments and religion, and an increasing belief that proselytism is a “factor of destabilization” and must therefore be controlled or curtailed. The net result, said Dr. Graz, is a growing sense among many religious communities that they are “under attack.”
Defenders of religious freedom, said Dr. Graz, should remember that this is a fundamental right, which is acknowledged and protected under international law. Nevertheless, he warned, “we have to be wise in expressing ourselves, even though we have rights.” Dr. Graz suggested that the most productive way forward is through pursuing interreligious dialogues, being positively active in our communities, and promoting religious liberty for everyone, no matter what their faith tradition.
The keynote speaker was for the event was Dr. Michael Young, president of the University of Utah and former chair of the United State Commission on International Religious Freedom . Dr. Young spoke about the slow but progressive erosion of religious freedom in the United States, where religion has gone from being seen as something "special" and protected, to something that is viewed, by many, as either solely a "private matter" or a force that has an actively negative effect in society.
Dr. Graz called his visit "productive and interesting." Before his Monday presentation, Dr. Graz also attended a Session of the Church of Jesus Christ Later Days Saints and met with several LDS leaders. "I was impressed by their level of commitment to religious freedom," said Graz. "They expressed tremendous support for the work of the IRLA and for its future activities, including the 7th World Congress in April 2012."
IRLA Welcomes Confirmation of Ambassador
Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, newly confirmed Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom, was the keynote speaker at the IRLA's April 5 Religious Liberty Dinner in Washington, D.C.
Religious freedom advocates say post has been vacant too long
The cause of religious liberty has a new champion following a vote April 14 in the United States Senate confirming Baptist minister Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook to the post of Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. President Barak Obama named the prominent author and speaker in June 2010 as his choice for top religious freedom diplomat, but Dr. Cook’s nomination initially stalled after one senator placed a hold on the process. President Obama re-nominated her in February this year.
Dwayne Leslie, deputy secretary general of the International Religious Liberty Association, said he’s delighted by Dr. Cook’s confirmation. “Given the current unrest in the Middle East, including the recent increase in violence against Christians and other religious minorities, it’s critically important that the US Government have the Ambassador-at-Large in position to fight for the protection of international religious freedom,” said Leslie. “I look forward to working with Dr. Cook as she steps into her new role.”
Dr. Cook was the keynote speaker earlier this month at the IRLA’s annual Religious Liberty Dinner in Washington, D.C. Speaking to more than 200 ambassadors, government officials, and religious liberty advocates, she spoke passionately about recent abuses of religious freedom and about her desire to be a strong advocate for those who suffer discrimination or persecution because of their faith. Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, she said the path to living in peace with others involves learning to “listen to and learn from others,” especially those who think differently to ourselves.
As the United States' top diplomat for religious freedom, Dr. Cook will track international trends for the State Department, advise the government regarding how these issues intersect with US foreign policy, and engage in diplomacy aimed at strengthening protection for religious liberty around the world.
Liberty Dinner Video
