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News November 2001 For a printer-friendly version of this page CLICK HERE. Peru:
Politicians Support Concept of Religious Freedom as a Tool for Peace Peru: Politicians Support Concept of Religious Freedom as a Tool for Peace
November 28, 2001. Lima, Peru. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the International Congress of Religious Liberty in Lima, two Peruvian congressmen spoke strongly in favor of the vital importance of religious freedom, particularly as a way to promote peace and to avoid religious violence. Member of Congress Walter Alejos commented that "as a Christian, I believe in religious freedom as a God-given gift and an essential instrument of peace and reconciliation in a democracy." Consequently, he was delighted to attend and support the International Congress.
His colleague in the Peruvian Congress, Dr. Antero Flores also affirmed that "the divine creator has given religious freedom to his universe, and allowed diverse beliefs." In consequence, he added, we must support policies that are "tolerant and non-discriminatory." He also referred to the 1981 United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, and noted that "there must be no preference for any one religion since this is a form of discrimination, intolerance and exclusion," a significant comment in a country where one church is dominant. Also attending the Congress, Ambassador Juan Alvarez Vita, spoke strongly about the need for tolerance and non-discrimination, and that if this was taken seriously then it would lead for example to "the need to revise the Concordat between Peru and the Holy See since some aspects of this agreement are in conflict with the Declaration on Human Rights." Alvarez was formerly Peru's ambassador to the United Nations.
The Congress, organized by the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), brought together government representatives, leaders of religious communities and advocates of religious freedom from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador as well as the host country, Peru. Heading the IRLA international delegation was secretary general Dr. John Graz. "We are delighted to host such an important international forum for religious freedom," commented IRLA-Peru advisor Melchor Ferreyra. "The world of today is rightly concerned with religious issues, particularly intolerance and religious violence. We wish to do our part to advance the cause of religious liberty and dialogue between religious groups, affirming tolerance and mutual respect." The International Congress has generated much media interest and has raised the public profile of the urgent need for the promotion of human rights and freedom of conscience, Ferreyra concluded. [Jonathan Gallagher/IRLA News]
Secretary General Addresses UN Conference on Religious Freedom in Education
November 25, 2001. Madrid, Spain. IRLA Secretary General Dr. John Graz spoke during the The International Consultative Conference on School Education in Relation with Freedom of Religion and Belief, Tolerance and Non-Discrimination, held in Madrid, Spain November 23-25. In his remarks, Graz affirmed the principles of religious freedom as held by the IRLA and endorsed the need for such a conference that sought to promote tolerance and understanding through the educational process. "The conference is an excellent initiative to try to prevent religious intolerance and discrimination through school education," commented Graz. "Much religious conflict and hatred comes as a result of attitudes that are learned, and we salute the organizers for recognizing the great importance of ensuring that principles of freedom of conscience and mutual respect are brought into all educational curricula." The conference was jointly hosted by the Spanish Ministry of Justice and the UN Commission on Human Rights, in particular the special rapporteur for Freedom and Belief, Prof. Abdelfattah Amor. "Through IRLA we wish to work in cooperation to raise the awareness of the vital importance of religious liberty in today's world," Graz concluded. "Participation at such international conferences provides the opportunity to present our perspective to UN officials, government leaders and other non-government organizations. I wish to thank in particular Professor Amor of the UN and Professor Alberto de la Hera and Dr. Rosa Maria Martinez of the department of religious affairs at the Spanish Ministry of Justice for all their hard work in making this conference such a success, and for providing such a warm welcome." [Jonathan Gallagher/IRLA News]
Coalition Builds for Religious Freedom
November 15, 2001. Silver Spring, Maryland, USA … Former Ambassador of the United States for Religious Freedom Dr. Robert A. Seiple chaired a top-level meeting of religious liberty advocates at the headquarters of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) on November 15. Commenting on the situation post the September 11 terrorist attacks that "really changed the world of religious freedom and placed security at the top of the value system," Ambassador Seiple noted that "religious freedom is losing momentum here and around the world. It must be recognized as a security issue, and a coalition developed that presents it not just as a moral imperative but also practical issue." The meeting, convened due to the urgency of the current situation with its overtones of religious intolerance, brought together representatives from the US government, non-government organizations, and religious groups. "We need to know our own faith at its deepest and richest best," Seiple continued, "and also know that of our neighbors. Osama bin Laden picked and chose what he wanted from the Islamic faith so that it was no longer a religion but an aberration, and became murder. In developing a religious freedom coalition we recognize that coalitions are hard to make and keep together, that collaboration is exhausting, but that the problems are too big otherwise. We seek points of commonality, and present religious freedom as extremely credible and relevant for these times." Participants commented on the danger of religious freedom becoming subverted by arguments appealing to national and international security; the use of terrorism as an excuse to suppress religious dissent; and increasing intolerance that threatened the fundamental principles of tolerance and mutual respect for freedom of conscience. Dr. John Graz, secretary general of the IRLA explained that the reason for calling the meeting was because of heightened concern for the threats to religious liberty and human rights generally. "We believe it is important to provide a wider forum for dialogue and mutual respect between peoples of faith and also greater understanding by government representatives. In the current climate it is not hard to see worst-case scenarios in which religious freedoms are denied and society destabilized. We as an organization remained totally committed to the fundamentals of religious liberty and seek to build a broad-based coalition with all those of good will committed to respecting the rights and freedoms of all people everywhere." As well as US government observers, representatives attending included the Baha'i National Office, Advocates International, the American Jewish Committee, the Institute of Religion and Public Policy, the Islamic Supreme Council of America, the Baptist World Alliance, the Policy Institute for Religion and State, Prison Fellowship International, Agudath Israel of America, Falun Gong International Committee for Human Rights, and the International Religious Freedom Alliance. [Jonathan Gallagher/IRLA News] Russian Commissioner on Human Rights Visits IRLA International Office
Silver Spring, Maryland. At the invitation of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) Russian Chapter, Oleg Mironov, Commissioner on Human Rights for the Russian Federation visited the IRLA international office on November 9, 2001. Addressing the IRLA delegation, Mironov shared an extensive report of the work of the Commission since his appointment on May 22, 1998. The Federal Constitutional Law that was adopted by the State Duma in 1996, and approved by the Federation Council in 1997, was the first step in Russia's effort toward improving the quality of life for its citizens. Citing many examples whereby the Commission had successfully intervened on behalf of its citizens, Mironov also stated that there are other challenges that the Russian Federation has to solve, such as its economy. Since his appointment in 1998, three Annual Reports and five Special Reports have been released by the Commission, which has offended higher structures of government. Mironov emphasized, however, that the reports are to identify problems to be solved and not to damage the reputation of any governmental department or individuals. In his comments to IRLA officers, Commissioner Mironov pledged his continued commitment to reeducate and raise awareness toward human rights and religious freedom violations in his country. "In accordance with the law, the Commission has to act on its own initiative to protect the rights of those people and groups of people who cannot defend themselves," he pledged. Accompanying Mironov were Robert Simonyan, Associate Head of Human Rights and State Counselor of the Russian Federation; Andrey Lebedev, Consultant of Mr. Moronov and State Counselor of the Russian Federation; and Victor Krushenitsky of the IRLA Russian Chapter. The IRLA delegation included John Graz, secretary-general and Denton Lotz, president of the International Religious Liberty Association. [Viola R Hughes] Venezuela: Launch of National Religious Liberty Association
"More now than ever, religious liberty is a vital issue," says Julio Palacio, one of the founder members. "We are delighted to be associated with the development of this new association dedicated to freedom of conscience and the right to the free exercise of belief."
Elected president of the new association is Dr. Brigido Barrios, a prominent lawyer from Caracas. His longstanding commitment to concepts of religious freedom is widely-appreciated, having written extensively on these issues, says Palacio. Barrios' paper, "What is Religious Liberty?" will be available shortly in Spanish on the International Religious Liberty Association's website at www.irla.org. The IRLA is the coordinating association for all such national religious liberty associations around the world." [Jonathan Gallagher/IRLA News] |
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November
3, 2001. Barquisimeto, Venezuela... Venezuela's first national association
dedicated to the promotion and defense of religious liberty launched
on November 3. The Venezuela Religious Liberty Association was constituted
at the Chamber of Commerce hall in Barquisimeto with over a hundred
founder members present. 
The
intention is to gain full legal status and recognition from the national
government as a civil organization dedicated to heightening awareness
of religious liberty as a fundamental human right.