News June 2002 | International Religious Liberty Association

World Congress Adopts "Statement of Concern" on Religious Freedom Violations

June 14, 2002. Manila, Philippines ... [IRLA News] The World Congress on religious freedom concluded today with an insistence that violations of religious rights are unacceptable, and specifically named some of the worst offenders.

"We have heard many speeches and fine words during this World Congress on religious freedom," commented Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, communication director for the organizers, the International Religious Liberty Association. "But in order to be relevant we need to come out and clearly condemn the worst abuses, pointing to those countries where intolerance and persecution are hurting people's lives and work, even to the point of violence and death. Such actions have no place in today's world and should be condemned by all nations, since religious extremism and intolerance is the greatest threat facing humanity."

The documents identifies Sudan, North Korea, and some states in India as "among the most serious violators of religious freedom," and adds that "of great concern, particularly for this Congress held in the Philippines, are the many reports of mistreatment and judicial penalties enforced against guest workers of religious minorities in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States."

Also cited are China, for its persecution of Christian house churches, Tibetan Buddhists, Muslims, and the Falun Gong; Turkmenistan for its systematic intimidation and harassment of religious minorities and the destruction of houses of worship; Belarus for a proposed highly restrictive religion law; the conflict in Indonesia between Christian and Muslim communities; local persecution of protestant Christians in Mexico, and the refusal of conscientious objection status in South Korea.

The document concludes: "the participants in the Congress express their sympathy, compassion, and solidarity with the victims of religious discrimination, intolerance and persecution, and reaffirms the International Religious Liberty Association's commitment to cooperate with the foregoing governments in finding solutions to these lamentable problems."

The full document is available at www.irla.org.

Religious Freedom a Vital Security Benefit Says Former US Ambassador-at-Large

June 11, 2002. Manila, Philippines ... [IRLA News] Religious freedom is the missing dimension of security, according to Dr. Robert Seiple, the first US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.

Speaking at the International Religious Liberty Association's (IRLA) world congress in Manila on June 11, Seiple highlighted the importance of freedom of religion as a great security benefit, saying that without such respect for freedom of conscience there would always be the threat of conflict and violence.

"Religious freedom, tolerance, respect for human rights and the dignity of all people are just as much a security force as a tank, a rifle, or a soldier," he said, emphasizing that support for religious freedom aided fundamental security concerns.

Speaking of the terrorist attacks on the US, Seiple pointed to the perverted aspects of religion involved. "Osama bin Laden does not understand his faith at its deepest and richest best, and just as clearly, he has absolutely no respect for the faith of others. On September 11th, we saw the ultimate perversion of religion. A misunderstood faith, and inappropriately applied faith, a truncated or redacted faith--in the hands of a zealot--is very scary indeed. Our global security is put at risk."

Such aspects made emphasizing the importance of religious liberty, Seiple added. "Now we know for sure that there are people who are willing to die for their faith and, unfortunately, there are people who are willing to kill for their religion. We neglect this issue of religious freedom in the context of national and global security at our considerable peril."

"We would be enormously wise to use a portion of our time here this week to lay a foundation, to begin a structure, to develop a strategy that would wrap the arms of international religious freedom around the security concerns of our world," Seiple concluded. 'Driving a wedge between religious freedom and security is absurdly counter-productive. We are capable of so much more!"

Seiple headed the aid and development agency World Vision for over ten years before his assignment as US Ambassador-at-Large. Currently he is the president of the Institute for Global Engagement.

The 5th IRLA world congress brings together international leaders, diplomats, and religious freedom experts to support, defend and promote all issues relative to religious freedom, particularly examining ways to combat intolerance and discrimination. A non-denominational organization, the IRLA has advocated religious freedom for 109 years and works in cooperation with governments, the U.N. Commission for Human Rights, and other non-governmental organizations in organizing world conferences and symposiums on matters related to freedom of conscience, religion and belief. [Jonathan Gallagher]

UN Human Rights Expert Speaks Out Against Religious Intolerance

June 10, 2002. Manila, Philippines... [IRLA News] United Nations special rapporteur to the Commission on Human Rights Prof. Abdelfattah Amor, speaking at the opening session of the world religious freedom Congress organized by the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) today, said that religious extremism and intolerance posed one of the world's greatest threats.

Prof. Amor, also vice-chair of the U.N. Human Rights Committee, spoke on the theme of the Congress, 'Religious Freedom: A Basis for Peace and Justice,' underlining the tragic consequences of inter-religious conflict and the vital importance of respecting freedom of belief. "In various countries religious freedom violations occur because of political reasons," said Amor. "As a result these violations are not dealt with and continue-actions of discrimination and intolerance, while freedom of thought, conscience and belief is attacked."

Amor also mentioned that in some nations the right to change religion is denied, and the death penalty is imposed on those who do change their religion. He also highlighted the negative impact of religious extremism. Speaking on the role given women in some religions, he said that "based on religion women are given a very secondary role, and the impression is given that women are objects and have no intrinsic value in themselves."

One primary tool in dealing with religious discrimination is the use of education to promote tolerance and mutual respect. "The struggle in religious freedom can be dealt with in education on all levels especially in elementary where educations begins," Amor said. "In many schools, negative information is passed on to students."

"As a result of September 11, new attitudes and legal frameworks can endanger religious freedom," Amor concluded. "Those involved in this struggle must not let political events limit their voice-we must continue the fight for liberty and tolerance. If there is not a strong voice against this tide of religious intolerance the global situation will become much worse."

Responding for the IRLA, Dr. Jonathan Gallagher applauded Prof. Amor's commitment to tackling religious intolerance. "Religious extremism breeds terrorism and violence, and is the greatest threat to today's world. The IRLA is determined to continue the fight for religious liberty and freedom of conscience for all."

The World Congress is being held at the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel from June 10-13, and includes other prominent speakers such Ambassador Robert Seiple, president, Institute for Global Engagement; Prof. Alberto de la Hera, Department of Religious Affairs, Spain; and Anatoly Krasikov, Russian Academy of Sciences, University of Moscow, as well as local dignitaries including the senate president and other high-level politicians and ambassadors. Other religious freedom experts from the Philippines, Mexico, Russia, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Trinidad, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Japan, Korea, the U.S. and elsewhere are also participating.

Philippines: National Leaders Endorse Fight Against Religious Intolerance

June 10, 2002. Manila, Philippines... [IRLA News] Messages of support from Philippine government leaders endorsed the World Congress program of the International Religious Liberty Association's fight against religious intolerance.

The IRLA World Congress, meeting in Manila June 10-13 under the theme "Religious Freedom: A Basis for Peace and Justice," brings together top-level experts, diplomats and leaders from around the world to tackle the issues of religious extremism, intolerance, and persecution.

In her message, Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo commended the IRLA "for its continuing efforts to promote and defend the principles of religious freedom," adding that "mutual respect and understanding should be the common goal of every religious group." She also underlined the importance of religion in defending civil liberties, saying that "starting with religious liberty and tolerance, the various religious groups can be our anchors in preserving our other liberties to make sure that we can live in a community free of bigotry, hatred and conflict."

President of the Philippine Senate Franklin M. Drilon said he was "singularly privileged to be part of the IRLA's quinquennial congress which the Philippines will host for the first time. This gathering offers the most opportune time for the delegates from the country and around the world-representatives of different religious affiliations and foreign heads of states and religious leaders-to reflect on the world's most prevalent issues."

Speaker of the House of Representatives Jose de Venecia commented that "the continuing dialogue and interaction should likewise extend to the dominant religions to reduce communal strife and religious tensions in many areas of the world. I congratulate the IRLA for its success these past 25 years in the staging of this quinquennial assembly. It is my fervent hope that your efforts will finally bring about the harmony and understanding that the whole world aspires to."

A non-denominational organization, the IRLA has advocated religious freedom for 109 years and works in cooperation with governments, the U.N. Commission for Human Rights, and other non-governmental organizations in organizing world conferences and symposiums on matters related to freedom of conscience, religion and belief.

© 2004 International Religious Liberty Association