News September 2002

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How Can We Forget the Past?
Violence Against Christians Continue in Pakistan
French Officials May Have Second Thoughts Over "Anti-Sect" Policy
IRLA Deputy Secretary General Promotes Religious Freedom in Romania

How Can We Forget the Past?

Seven Christians killed in Pakistan. For what? I would like to understand why these people were killed? Were they very courageous for the country? Were they threatening the one billion Muslim believers? Were they plotting to steal a nuclear bomb? Were they spying for the enemies of the country? No! They were Christians.

It is to the shame of the human race that we are so quick to forget the lessons of history. How can we forget. How can we forget the untold heartache and destruction wrought by religious intolerance in the past? How can we forget the number of casualties from religious wars and religious persecution? How could we ever return to such primitive, counterproductive means of suppression? Yet even now, the world is digesting another act on insane brutality, terror attacks in Washington and New York, perpetrated by those who have adopted a politico-religious viewpoint that refuses to recognize the right of those of other faiths to live in accordance with the dictates of their conscience. As we appear poised on the precipice of history, it is time for the world to count the cost of turning its back on the fundamental principles of religious freedom, tolerance and equality. It is not too late for men and women around the world to say “no” to intolerance and discrimination.

John Graz

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Violence Against Christians Continue in Pakistan

Silver Spring, MD. September 30, 2002. Two gunmen burst into the offices of a Christian charity in Karachi, Pakistan yesterday, September 25, killing seven men after bounding and gagging them, while two other men remain in critical condition. All employees of the Karachi office of the Organization for Peace and Justice, this incident is the latest in a series of violence against Christians and Christian organizations. The Organization for Peace and Justice is a Catholic-and Protestant-supported group that provides legal advice to impoverished industrial workers and women. The attack occurred shortly after police officers stripped signs identifying churches in private homes and placing sandbags outside Christian sites as an attempt to protect Christians and their organizations.

“We are appalled at the violence against Christians in Pakistan,” says Dr. John Graz, Secretary General for the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA). “Violence against any religious group must not be tolerated and the perpetrators must be held accountable for such crimes. My colleagues and I will continue our efforts to raise awareness in Pakistan and other countries to promote tolerance and respect for each other.”

The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan and largely Hindu India has never been resolved satisfactorily. Yesterday’s violence caused an outrage as hundreds marched through the southern port city of Karachi. “Breaking the cycle of violence can be difficult and requires strong democratic institutions. Persecution of minorities reflect the difficulty for the state to control extremists and the danger of general chaos. At a time such as this, the role of the government and religious leaders is critical. Representatives from all churches, temples, and Moques in Pakistan need to promote a message of love and religious tolerance.” Graz said.

On January 16, 2002, the government of Pakistan announced the end of a discriminatory system of separate electorate, which is a positive sign for its citizens. However, the fact that they were unable to change the blasphemy law in spite of pressure from the international world shows how fragile religious tolerance is. [Viola Hughes]

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French Officials May Have Second Thoughts Over "Anti-Sect" Policy

Warsaw, Poland. September 30, 2002. After the adoption of a much criticized law last year that many allege is a major erosion of religious freedom in France, an official response by the French delegation at a major meeting in Europe indicates some second thoughts as to the wisdom of proceeding to target religious minorities in this way.

The response by representatives of France to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe may be an indication that the “Anti-Sect” law and the government’s policy in this area could be reconsidered.

Admitting the existence of the law and its provisions that can lead to the dissolution of religious groups, the September 12 statement says this would only happen “under very restrictive conditions, and as a very last resort,” and that “to this date, the law has not been applied.”

One of the most criticized aspects in the fight against sects, the so-called ‘sect list’ developed in what appeared to be an arbitrary manner, “is a parliamentary working document [that] has no legal value.” The statement did however admit that some local authorities had been using this list to deny religious freedom to some groups on the list which included some well-recognized religious organizations. As a result, “The French government is taking steps to heighten the awareness of the administrative structures so that the list of sectarian movements can be recognized for what it is: a parliamentary working document which cannot serve as the basis for any measure to be taken,” says the statement.

On what is probably the most controversial area-the establishment of “MILS”-the government watchdog body of “the Inter-ministerial Mission for the Fight Against Sects” the statement concluded, “we are aware that the aforementioned mission has generated a lack of understanding and forwarded an image which does not correspond to French reality. The government has undertaken a fundamental review of the objectives, role, and structure of the inter-ministerial Mission, of which the President, since the month of June, has not been replaced.”

“Is the French government’s policy on such matters changing? Perhaps!”says John Graz, Secretary General for the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA). “These may be indications that the French authorities are responding to criticisms of this law that reduces religious freedom and criminalizes certain groups and beliefs. We have been concerned that the provisions of this law could well be used to target religious minorities and cause great damage to their civil and religious rights as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We welcome the admission that the sect list is not to be used to discriminate against any religious group, and that the spirit of ‘MILS’ may be reviewed.” [Jonathan Gallagher]

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IRLA Deputy Secretary General Promotes Religious Freedom in Romania

Calarasi, Romania, September 26, 2002. Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, Deputy Secretary General for the International Religious Liberty Association has just returned from Romania to promote religious freedom in the country.

At a special meeting in the prefecture of the regional town of Calarasi, Gallagher spoke to representatives of local government, social agencies, and church communities on the vital importance of developing religious freedom and human rights.

“It’s easy to forget that until twelve years ago, Romania was under a dictatorship,” comments Gallagher. “As a result there’s a great need to continue the development of democratic principles, especially the concepts of extending freedom of conscience to every citizen. It was my privilege to share our values and beliefs in this extremely relevant area, and to learn of progress to date.”

Organized by the Romanian Religious Liberty Association leader Viorel Dima with the participation of other local religious leaders, the meeting was hosted by the regional council vice-president Marian Dragan.

In a personal conversation with Gallagher, Dragan commended the work to promote religious freedom and identified this as of considerable interest in his district. “We appreciate what you are doing and will work with you to develop understanding of human rights and religious freedom.”

“This was an excellent opportunity to develop our external strategy of contacts with outside organizations and other faith communities,” say Dima. “We value the contributions that such meetings make to the improvement of religious freedom in our country.”

A meeting of minority faith groups has already agreed to work together in formulating comments and proposals to those charged with developing the new law. Several more meetings and seminars are planned.

“Our intention is to create a network of all religious organizations so that the proposed new law on religion is the best it can be and that it defends religious freedom,” Dima concludes.

Gallagher will be making presentations to authorities and officials in the town of Matca as well.

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