News May 2004

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• U.N. Looking to NGO's Involvement in Anti-Semitism Declaration
• Vietnam Official Visits International Religious Liberty Association

U.N. Looking to NGO’s Involvement in Anti-Semitism Declaration

New York, NY…May 12, 2004. The International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) was represented at a discussion about the Berlin Declaration, an agreement among 55 nations to fight anti-Semitism, sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The discussion in New York City was held to inform organizations interested in religious liberty about the Berlin Declaration, which was crafted during the OSCE Conference on Anti-Semitism on April 28-29. The Declaration calls for all OSCE countries to, among other things, collect and maintain reliable information and statistics about anti-Semitic crimes, ensure that their legal systems foster an environment free from anti-Semitic harassment, violence, or discrimination in all fields of life, and promote educational programs for combating anti-Semitism.

Stephan Minikes, U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE, introduced the Declaration and explained how it came into being. “OSCE is a regional U.N,” he said. “So every problem you can think of in the U.N., the OSCE deals with in its 55 countries, including anti-Semitism.” Minikes also explained the particulars of the Declaration to the various organizations represented, and encouraged them to tell others about it. “Help make this a continuing important document, read it, distribute it,” he said. “Help make it a living document as we move forward.”

In support of the OSCE’s efforts, IRLA secretary-general Dr. John Graz commented that “IRLA representatives have not only attended several OSCE conferences, but that the IRLA works closely with OSCE representatives in Euro-Asia and South America.” Graz explained that such participation provides for sharing of information and networking. He also said that the IRLA has helped organized meetings and logical arrangements for some OSCE experts in their visits to certain countries.

Graz further commented that it was natural for the IRLA to partner with the OSCE because the IRLA’s principles of defending religious freedom parallels that of the OSCE. “Anti-Semitism is one of the most consistent violations of human rights through all of history,” Graz added. “When Jews and minorities are persecuted, religious freedom is denied. Promoting religious freedom is promoting the right to be different, the right to have another religion – anti-Semitism denies such a basic right and should not be tolerated.”

The OSCE is a pan-European security body whose 55 participating states span the geographical area from Vancouver to Vladivostock. Recognized as a regional arrangement under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the OSCE is a primary instrument for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation in its area.

The IRLA, organized by members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and chartered in 1893, is a non-denominational organization, established to promote and defend religious freedom for all groups and people around the world. For more information about the IRLA, visit www.irla.org. [IRLA staff]

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Ambassador Seiple sharing a few remarks with the visitors.

Vietnam Official Visits International Religious Liberty Association

Silver Spring, Maryland, USA… Senior Expert and Member of the Consultative Commission of the Vietnam Fatherland Front for Religious Affairs, The Honorable Nguyen Chinh, visited the the International Religious Liberty Association, May 6, 2004. A former Deputy Director of Religious Affairs Bureau of Vietnam, Honorable Chinh defines himself someone who is very interested in the field of religious liberty.

L to R: Interpreter, Mrs. Seiple, Ambassador Seiple, Honorable Chinh, Dr. Graz, Chris Seiple, Mr. Cooper, Dr. Gallagher.

“Our country has seen so much war, so much suffering, including those within the Adventist Church,” commented Chinh. “In war, there are “us” and “others.” Now is the time to have peace and friendship between each other. We are now rebuilding our country, including its spiritual life.”

Accompanied by Ambassador Robert Seiple (Chairman of the Board for the Institute for Global Engagement), Mrs. Robert Seiple, and Chris Seiple (president for the Institute for Global Engagement), Chinh was welcomed by IRLA Secretary-General, Dr. John Graz, and Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Jonathan Gallagher.

Honorable Chinh listening to John Graz's remarks about him and his work.

Commenting on behalf of the IRLA, Dr. Graz said, “The visit of Honorable Chinh is important because it is part of ‘building bridges’ between people, beliefs and vision of the world as we want to improve cooperation and help build a better world for people worldwide.”

The IRLA works very closely with the Institute for Global Engagement in many endeavors to build understanding among people of all religions. A strong advocate of religious freedom and human rights, the IRLA continues to promote and maintain religious freedom around the world, and to assist people who are discriminated against or persecuted for practicing their beliefs. [Viola Hughes]

Dr. Graz appreciating Ambassador Seiple for the role he played in coordinating the visit of Honorable Chinh and his work in advocating for religious freedom.

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