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News September 2005
Dr Gallagher Visits Peru As part of the ongoing program to highlight human rights and religious freedom, Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, deputy-secretary general of the International Religious Liberty Association visited Peru. He attended a regional meeting on human rights education sponsored by the UN, and gave one of the featured presentations entitled "Human Rights, Religion, and Peace." He took advantage of the visit to hold briefings in Lima on religious liberty concerns, and spoke twice at the Adventist University. Interviewed by local radio station, he also underlined the vital importance of freedom of conscience and the right to believe as fundamental principles in a democratic society. "Such a visit
exemplifies the way in which we can work to change public opinion for
the better," comments Gallagher. "By becoming involved in public
dialogue and presenting our fundamental beliefs regarding the importance
of the freedom to believe, we help others to recognize religious liberty
as a vital principle in a harmonious society." [IRLA News]
Peru: Proposed Law on Religious Freedom and Equality Submitted to Government Lima, Peru… In a highly-significant move, a working group on religious freedom and equality has completed the project it was assigned and submitted a proposed law to the Peruvian government's Ministry of Justice on September 27. If the proposed legislation enters into law, it will guarantee equality of treatment for all religions and persons, says Dr. Abelardo Muro, one of the bill's writers and proponents. "This proposal will be studied by the Ministry of Justice, and may be amended," Muro comments. "But however it is presented, this will be the most important recognition given to, and guarantee of, religious freedom and religious equality ever-this inherent right with which human beings are created." The bill's twenty-eight articles include a robust defense of religious freedom as a fundamental human right, and echoes international declarations guaranteeing the right to change one's religion, to practice religion in accordance with the dictates of conscience, and the equality of religious bodies before the law. This last point is particularly significant in that other religious groups would be able to claim the same exemptions from taxes and other benefits currently only enjoyed by the majority religion. [IRLA News]
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