Apr 7, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC - Prior to the United Nation"s "Alliance of Civilizations” gathering in Istanbul, Turkey April 6-7, the United States Commission on International Freedom (USCIRF) sent a letter to President Barak Obama urging him to raise the issue of religious freedom at the forum. The letter also asked that President Obama ensure that the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartolomew, the spiritual leader of almost 300 million Orthodox Christians, be welcomed as a participant.
The April 3 letter cited the USCIRF Commissioners" "deep concern” that, according to sources in Turkey, the Patriarch, who is a Turkish citizen and based in Istanbul, was not invited to the "Alliance of Civilizations,” which was established by Spain and Turkey under the auspices of the United Nations.
The letter noted that representatives from nations singled out in the U.S. State Department report as among the world"s most notorious religious rights abusers, including Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Uzbekistan, were expected to participate in this global gathering, making it an ideal forum for the United States to raise the issue of freedom of religion or belief.
"The Commission is disappointed that the Ecumenical Patriarch was not invited to the "Alliance of Civilizations” gathering. We noted with appreciation that President Obama raised the issue of religious freedom before Turkey"s Parliament. We encourage the U.S. administration to continue to urge Turkey to end its inappropriate restrictions on religious communities and their freedoms,” said Felice Gaer, chair of USCIRF.
The text of the letter follows:
April 3, 2009
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom looks forward to working together with you to advance the protection of religious freedom around the world. I am writing today on behalf of the Commission to respectfully ask that you raise two important issues at the Alliance of Civilizations" Istanbul Forum. First, we urge you to raise religious freedom in a prominent manner in both your public and private remarks at the Forum. Second, we urge you to ensure the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I is invited to the Istanbul Forum in his role as Ecumenical Patriarch.
The State Department recently publically named Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Uzbekistan as nations whose governments are culpable for particularly serious violations of religious freedom. Representatives from some of these nations will be attending the Istanbul Forum. Further, incorporated in the mission of the Alliance is improving inter-religious relations. The Forum therefore provides an ideal setting for confirming America"s dedication to advancing the universal right to freedom of religion or belief, and discussing frankly the need for all states to meet their obligations to respect those universal rights and fundamental freedoms.
On behalf of USCIRF, an independent bipartisan federal commission, we also urge you to use your influence to ensure the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, who resides in Istanbul and is the spiritual leader of almost 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, is invited to the Forum in his role as Ecumenical Patriarch. Indeed, that he has not been invited reflects the difficulties religious minorities face in Turkey. The Turkish state has consistently used convoluted regulations and undemocratic laws to confiscate-without opportunity for legal appeal or financial compensation-thousands of religious minority properties, particularly those belonging to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Greek Orthodox community under patriarchal jurisdiction. Turkey"s policies have led to the decline-and in some cases, virtual disappearance-of some of these religious minorities on lands they have inhabited for millennia. Considering the global leadership that His All Holiness
Bartholomew I plays on interreligious dialogue and human rights, it is troubling that the organizers have not invited him to participate, so that attendees can benefit from his experience and perspective.
Mr. President, we appreciate your commitment to human rights and religious freedom, and wish you success during your trip.
Regards,
Felice D. Gaer
Chair
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner or USCIRF country expert, contact Tom Carter, Communications Director at [email protected] or (202) 523-3257.
Apr 1, 2010
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Mar 26, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2010
WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the declining support in the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for a resolution urging countries to outlaw the so-called "defamation of religions.” Though disappointed that the HRC once again passed this ill-conceived resolution, USCIRF applauds the fact that support for this concept has hit a new low.
"Yesterday's vote saw the fewest yes-votes and most no-votes ever cast on this issue in the HRC or its predecessor, coming within four votes of defeat,” said Leonard Leo, USCIRF chair. "It is heartening that more countries are recognizing the dangerous nature of these resolutions, which seek to create a global blasphemy law, like those found domestically in Pakistan, Iran, and Egypt that are routinely used to oppress religious minorities and political dissidents.”
The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has sponsored annual "defamation of religions” resolutions in the HRC and its predecessor, the Human Rights Commission, since 1999 and in the General Assembly since 2005. Although both bodies continue to adopt these flawed resolutions, support has significantly eroded in the past three years, in recognition of the facts that the proper object of international human rights law is the individual rather than particular religions or groups and that the "defamation of religions” concept is overly vague and therefore subject to abusive application.
"To the extent there are problems with hateful religious utterances, they are best combated through education and other efforts to encourage respect for every individual's rights,” Mr. Leo said.
This is the fifth consecutive time since 2008 that the no-votes and abstentions have outnumbered the yes-votes on these resolutions. This year, the Human Rights Council vote was 20 in favor, 17 against, and eight abstentions, down from 23-11-13 last year.
"This accelerating trend is encouraging” said Mr. Leo. "We thank the diligent engagement of the State Department and the efforts of Members of Congress who worked against these resolutions."
In addition to these resolutions, the OIC is advocating the inclusion of language outlawing "defamation of religions” in the international treaty against race discrimination. In another resolution, adopted yesterday by consensus, the Human Rights Council decided that its committee considering this issue, the Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards, should continue its deliberations and study in this regard.
"The United States, and all other rights-supporting countries, must redouble their efforts to ensure that the misguided and repressive ‘defamation of religions" concept does not make its way into binding international law,” said Mr. Leo.
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF's principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact Tom Carter, Communications Director at [email protected], or (202) 523-3257