World Congress Adopts Statement of Concern on Religious Freedom Violations

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World Congress Adopts Statement of Concern on Religious Freedom Violations
June 18, 2002 Manila, Philippines .... [IRLA Staff/ANN]

The World Congress on religious freedom concluded June 14 with delegates insisting that violations of religious rights are unacceptable, and naming 10 countries as among the worst offenders.

"We have heard many speeches and fine words during this World Congress on religious freedom," commented Jonathan Gallagher, communication director for the International Religious Liberty Association, organizers of the congress. "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."

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 reaffirm 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.

The IRLA, founded in 1893 by Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders, is a non-sectarian organization dedicated to promoting religious freedom and safeguarding religious civil rights around the world.

John Graz, IRLA Secretary-General, presents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, president of the Republic of the Philippines, with a special plaque at the IRLA World Congress in Manila. At the presidential palace, from left: President Arroyo; Congressman and Mrs. Harlin Cast; John Graz; and Denton Lotz, IRLA president.

Jose De Venecia Jr., Speaker of the House was the guest speaker at the IRLA awards dinner.

Alberto de la Hera, right, Spain's director general for religious affairs receives a Merit Award from John Graz.