News March 2001 | International Religious Liberty Association
Top Cuban Diplomat Says Religious Freedom Improving in Cuba
March 12, 2001. Silver Spring, Maryland, USA [IRLA News]The highest-ranking Cuban diplomat in the United States, Dr. Fernando Remirez, pointed to improvements in religious freedom in Cuba during a visit today to the headquarters of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Asked about the current situation and the official position regarding religion, and freedom of belief and worship in particular, Remirez pointed to a growing religious interest in Cuba.
"We believe in the separation of church and state," he commented. "We believe in freedom of religion and worship for every citizen. So we are trying to do our best in that direction, and have made much improvement in the past few years. There is a growth in interest in religion in Cuba in recent times, and political developments reflect this."
Remirez also said that there had been a number of important developments that had improved the situation.
"For example, at the beginning of the 1990's, we amended the Constitution. It could have had the interpretation that it promoted an atheist state. Now it is clear that Cuba is a secular state. Also in the previous Communist Party Congress before the most recent, the Articles were changed to allow religious membership as well as party membership."
Asked about the increasing interest in religion in Cuba, Remirez noted that "Most of the growth in religious groups has been in the Protestant churches."
Religious groups are required to register with the Office of Religious Affairs. This Office "is to help, not to regulate churches," Remirez explained. "Especially with local authorities, the Office seeks to establish a general standard throughout the country, and to avoid the local interpretation of laws. We wish to give every church the same rights, to promote equality between religions and to avoid discrimination."
In conclusion Remirez commented that "It is not a perfect situation, but it is improving." Remirez is officially Counselor of the Cuban Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy since the US and Cuba do not have official diplomatic relations.
Commenting on Dr. Remirez' remarks, Dr. John Graz, IRLA secretary general said that they provided encouragement for the development of wider religious freedom and expression in Cuba.
"We trust that in the fullest way possible religious freedom will be promoted in Cuba according to accepted international norms, and that the progress noted by Dr. Remirez will continue. We at IRLA are committed to upholding religious freedom as a fundamental human right for all, and look to further advances in this vital area." [Jonathan Gallagher]
PRESS RELEASE
March 5, 2001
Contact: Dr. Jonathan Gallagher
Tel: +301.680.6683
Fax: +301.680.6695UN Ambassador to Visit Bermuda for Religious Freedom Conference
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA … [IRLA News] United Nations Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed will visit Bermuda March 14-15 to participate in a major religious freedom conference organized by the International Religious Liberty Association.
Ambassador Reed is the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), a post he has held for the past four years, and is the president of the Staff-Management Coordination Committee, the highest internal body of the UN.
"We are both delighted and privileged that Ambassador Reed will be participating in this vital conference on religious freedom," comments Dr. John Graz, secretary general of IRLA. "Ambassador Reed serves as the chief organizer of the day-to-day affairs of the UN, and we appreciate his commitment in taking time to be with us. He will be speaking on 'Globalization, the United Nations, and our World,' and we know that this will be of great interest both to Bermudans and the wider world public."
The conference runs from March 14 to 16 at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel, and will also include other prominent speakers such as Professor Rosa Guerreiro, UNESCO Intercultural Dialogue Department; Dr. Rosa Maria Martinez de Codes, Department of Religious Affairs, Spain; and Dr. Anatoly Krasikov, Russian Academy of Sciences. Other religious freedom experts from the US and elsewhere will also participate.
"This working conference will tackle the high-profile issues of discrimination and intolerance in the modern world," comments Graz, "and will seek answers through the support and promotion of religious freedom concepts as the most fundamental of human rights."
A press conference is expected to be held upon Ambassador Reed's arrival at the hotel at approximately 5pm on Wednesday March 14. A formal declaration will be released at the end for the conference.
For more information contact IRLA information director Jonathan Gallagher at (301) 680-6686 or at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel from March 13 on.
PRESS RELEASE
March 5, 2001
Contact: Dr. Jonathan Gallagher
Tel: +301.680.6683
Fax:+301.680.6695Major Religious Freedom Conference to Convene in Bermuda
Silver Spring, MD, USA … [IRLA News]A major religious freedom conference will convene in Bermuda March 14-16, reports John Graz, secretary general of the International Religious Liberty Association.
"This significant conference will bring together diplomats, experts, and religious leaders to look at the whole subject of religious freedom and tolerance in the 21st century," says Graz. "As we see religious freedom under threat in different areas around the world, this is certainly a hot issue. We hope to be able to make a constructive contribution to the fundamental human right of religious liberty and freedom of conscience through this event and through the use of materials developed in Bermuda."
The conference, entitled "Religious Freedom: An Answer to Discrimination and Intolerance," will be opened by the Premier of Bermuda, the Hon. Jennifer Smith, and many international religious freedom experts from governments, universities and world organizations will address its theme.
Among those attending are Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed, Under-Secretary, United Nations; Professor Rosa Guerreiro, UNESCO Intercultural Dialogue Department; Dr. Rosa Maria Martinez de Codes, Department of Religious Affairs, Spain; Dr. Tad Stahnke, US Commission on International Religious Freedom; Dr. Arthur A Fletcher, former Chair, US Commission on Civil Rights; Dr. Anatoly Krasikov, Russian Academy of Sciences; and Prof. Cole Durham, J. Reuben Clark Law School, USA.
"We will be working to address the challenge of discrimination and intolerance, especially as it relates to the principles of religious freedom," says Graz. "Through dialogue and the willingness to understand each other we can reduce discrimination and aid tolerance, while maintaining our right to differ."
Chartered in 1893, the IRLA has advocated for religious freedom for 108 years. 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. IRLA was originally organized by leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, however, its purpose is universal and non-sectarian and seeks to address religious freedom concerns from all faith communities.
The event will take place at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel. More information on the upcoming conference can be found at www.irla.org or by calling IRLA information director Jonathan Gallagher at 301-680-6683.
© 2004 International Religious Liberty Association