News January 2002 | International Religious Liberty Association

IRLA Secretary General Presents at Briefing in U.S. Senate Office

Washington, D.C. ... Dr. John Graz, Secretary General of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), was a member of a panel of distinguished experts on religious freedom who participated in a briefing on developments in Russia on January 31st, 2002. The briefing was held in the Dirkson U.S. Senate office building and was attended by a number of individuals interested in developments in Russia, including congressional staff and the religious liberty representative of the Commission for Security & Cooperation in Europe.

Dr. Graz began his presentation by describing the activities of the Russian Chapter of the IRLA, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. "The IRLA's Russian board includes representatives from a number of faiths and has had significant success in advocating a free society in which religious pluralism thrives," he stated.

"There are five major forces that contribute to the climate for diverse faiths in Russia," Dr. Graz noted. "Russia's history, its complex politics, the religious makeup of the country, the differing policies between the central and the local government agencies, and the complexity of the law government religious organizations, are all important to understanding Russian approaches to religious freedom." He went on to provide background on each of these forces, illustrating how they impact on religious freedom in Russia today.

He concluded his presentation by noting that "we regret the 1990 statute that inhibited some religious operations, and we believe the 1997 Russian law regulating religion is too restrictive. But we have to recognize that Russia has made enormous steps towards religious freedom in the last decade. This of course doesn't mean there isn't more to do. We are particularly concerned, about a current trend towards governmental favoritism of some religious groups in Russia at the expense of others, and are actively working to ensure equal treatment of all faiths." [James Standish]

Government and Religious Leaders Gather In Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan... Religious leaders and government officials gathered together January 24-25, 2002, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to discuss religious freedom concerns. Organized by leaders of religious organizations and parliament members, the theme of the conference, "Freedom on Conscience and Providing an Interreligious Mutual Understanding," was more than appropriate in this country of 4.5 million where there has not been much support for minority groups. The two largest religions are Muslims and Russian Orthodox.

Although Article 15 of the country's constitution forbids discrimination against any person on the basis of religious belief, and Article 16 guarantees each person's right to "freedom of creed, spirit and worship," the government forbids teaching of both religion and atheism in public schools, and has disallowed public meetings in some locations.

The 1996 U.S. State Department report on Human Rights states that the Kyrgyzstan does not fully protect the rights of religious freedom. However, a recent report from the International Coalition for Religious Freedom states that the government appears to be preparing to assume a more active and intrusive role into religious affairs.

Speakers at the conference highlighted the necessity for Kyrgyzstan to improve religious freedom principles in the country, and concerns were also expressed about the draft law on religious freedom. Mr. Alisher Sabirov, head of the Religious Association Committee at Parliament, has promised to organize a round-table discussion on February 10 with leaders of the various religious groups.

Representing the International Religious Freedom Association (IRLA) were Attorney Lee Boothby from the U.S., and Victor Krushenitsky of the Russian IRLA chapter.

At the conclusion of the conference, participants voted a document that calls for peaceful coexistence, and the formation of a Kyrgyz Chapter of the IRLA. The president elected to serve the IRLA Kyrgyz chapter is Mr. Alisher Sabirov, a parliament member. [Viola Hughes]

© 2004 International Religious Liberty Association