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News April 2006
Leaders from Religious Freedom Congress Visit President of Ghana Accra, Ghana… Leaders from the International Religious Liberty Association's Congress in Accra visited the president of Ghana today April 27, at his request. His Excellency John A. Kufuor received ten representatives from the second All-Africa Congress on Religious Liberty and welcomed the opportunity to speak on his convictions regarding such fundamental freedoms. "It comes very natural to us to respect the right to freedom," the president told his visitors, noting that Ghana subscribes to all the international agreements on human rights. "When we heard you were coming we were delighted at this Congress on freedom. It is a great honour for us that you chose to come to Ghana for this event, indeed you are paying a great tribute to me and my government." He also commented on his perspective regarding religious diversity, part of the Congress' theme, 'Religious Liberty: Co-existence in Peace and Freedom in Diversity.' "I also like the idea of all religions attending this Congress," he noted. "Unfortunately much of our world today is suffering because of many conflicts and misunderstandings over religion. If we as individuals express ourselves and understand each other, then religious extremism will be done away with and this will make for happier times and a more peaceful world. We believe your way should be the way of the whole world." Leading the IRLA delegation was Dr. John Graz, secretary-general. "We appreciated being received by the president, and particularly his supportive comments about the importance of religious freedom and the need to combat religious intolerance. We believe it is possible to have strong religious convictions yet still live together in respecting each other," Graz commented. "The Congress has been a great success, with significant media coverage and good local interest. We are especially delighted for the interest shown by His Excellency the President, and as we concluded in our final Congress declaration, praise the high standard of religious freedom which prevails in Ghana." The IRLA delegation also included Japheth Agboka, Samuel Larmie, Geoffrey Mbwana, Gilbert Wari, Hensley Moorooven, Seth Laryea, Joe Hagan, Eugene Hsu, and Jonathan Gallagher. [IRLA News]
L to R: Jonathan
Gallagher, Eugene Hsu, John Graz, President Kufuor
L to R: Geoffrey Mbwana, Hensley Moorooven, Mutuku Mutinga, John Graz, President Kufuor
Accra, Ghana… The All-Africa Religious Liberty Congress opened today April 25 with a message from Ghana's president, His Excellency John A. Kofuor. Commending the participants for their commitment to religious freedom, the honorable Gladys Asmah MP, Minister of State, read the president's message and added that she believed "all should live in peace whatever religious inclinations we may have." With a practical emphasis on mutual respect between religions, this would be "a wonderful world to live in," she added. The Congress brings together dignitaries, experts, and religious leaders to highlight the urgent cause of religious freedom, according to Dr. John Graz, secretary general of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), the organizing body. "Under the theme 'Religious Liberty: Co-existence in Peace and Freedom in Diversity,' we will be seeking ways to combat religious intolerance and to develop mutual understanding as a way of peace. Too many conflicts in our world today have a religious component and we need to make sure that religion is not used as a weapon of violence." Congress speakers come from a wide range of high-level representatives, government officials, and scholars representing more than 60 countries across Africa and beyond. They includeDr. Maina Kiai, head of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights; Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe, general secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana; Prof. Abdulghafur Hemed Saleh El-Busaidy, chair of the Supreme Muslim Council of Kenya; Rev. Fr. Dr. Ted Nelson-Adjakpey, director, Justice and Peace Commission, Accra Archdiocese; Prof. Adekunle A. Alalade, vice-chancellor, Babcock University, Nigeria; Prof. Daniel Nsereko, dean, faculty of law, University of Botswana; Dr. Maulvi Wahab A. Adam, head, Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Ghana; and Mr. Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo, editor, Daily Graphic, Ghana. Other presentations are being made by experts and representatives of the IRLA, from the United States, Switzerland, England, and China. "In today's global community, religious freedom is under great threat," comments Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations representative for the IRLA. "Religious-inspired violence is on the increase, with extremism and intolerance becoming the norm. We believe this vital Congress will provide the opportunity for people of many faiths to interact, and to work together on solutions to the various religious freedom and human rights issues across this great continent." "Religious freedom is under threat in different areas around the world, and certainly this is a hot issue," adds Dr. Japheth Agboka, regional IRLA representative and primary event organizer. "We hope to make a contribution to the fundamental rights of religious liberty and freedom of conscience through this event and through the use of materials developed here in Accra. We will be working to address the challenge of discrimination and intolerance, especially as it relates to the principles of religious freedom." Agboka was responsible together with the other IRLA regional secretaries for the African continent, Prof. Mutuku Mutinga (East-Central Africa) and Dr. Hensley Moorooven (Southern Africa-Indian Ocean) for the essential planning work of the Congress. Chartered in 1893, the IRLA has promoted and defended religious freedom for more than a century. Various religious traditions are represented on the Board of Directors, while the presidency rotates annually among a panel of vice presidents. The current president is Dr. Denton Lotz, general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance. The IRLA has no paid staff and officers and directors serve voluntarily. Funding for IRLA operations comes from organizations supportive of the association's purpose. The IRLA was originally organized by leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its purpose is universal and non-denominational, seeking to address religious freedom concerns from all faith communities. The IRLA believes that religious freedom is the best answer to both religious fanaticism and anti-religious ideologies. The last All-Africa Congress was held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1991. More information on the work of the IRLA can be found at www.irla.org. [IRLA News]
Some of the Congress participants
IRLA representatives
interviewed on the national TV Breakfast Show:
Geneva, Switzerland…
In an April 6 meeting with non-government organizations, United Nations
special rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief Asma Jahangir
called for greater support of the fundamental liberties of conscience. Speaking in the context
of the transition from the Commission on Human Rights to the new Human
Rights Council, she argued for greater involvement from civil society
to advance religious freedom. "Freedom of religion
or belief for everyone is only possible in a world where there is the
possibility of accommodation of, respect for, and toleration of, the religion
of others," Jahangir stated. "This first Human Rights Council
will be make or break. Candidate countries must have a reasonable record
of human rights, and must have standing invitations to special rapporteurs
to visit, otherwise it must be presumed that they wish to obstruct rather
than promote human rights." Responding to a question
from Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, UN representative of the International Religious
Liberty Association, regarding how NGOs could be more involved, Jahangir
suggested more participation at UN human rights meetings and a joint statement
from NGOs. Such a statement would pledge to continue to advance freedom
of religion or belief, to identify what governments and religious leaders
should be doing, and to ensure that all interfaith dialogues should have
the goal of building tolerance, respect, and providing space for others.
"Freedom of religion or belief will only prosper when the broader perspective of human rights is respected," Jahangir concluded. "I look forward to new UN Human Rights Council where the work should concentrate on the universality and indivisibility of human rights." [IRLA News]
Meeting in progress
Top UN Expert Accepts IRLA Invitation Geneva, Switzerland…
The top United Nations expert on religious freedom issues accepted today
an invitation from the International Religious Liberty Association to
present the keynote address at its forthcoming World Congress. Dr. Asma
Jahangir is the UN's special rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. The World Congress,
to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, in February of 2007, will bring
together the major global experts in this vital field, according to Dr.
Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison and deputy secretary general for the IRLA.
"We are delighted that Mme. Jahangir has accepted this most important
responsibility," he adds. "It will make all the difference!" As an independent
expert, Jahangir is able to address religious freedom violations around
the world, and bring pressure to bear through special procedures and country
visits. In accepting the invitation she follows her predecessor in this
Mandate, Prof. Amor, who spoke at the last IRLA Congress held in Manila
in 2002. Gallagher met with the special rapporteur and her team on April 4 at the headquarters of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Palais Wilson, Geneva. [IRLA News]
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