August 8, 2006 Port Vila, Vanuatu …. [IRLA/ANN Staff]
Freedom of religion and belief–cherished by millions around the world –remains an often-tenuous proposition in some places, Seventh-day Adventist religious liberty officials say following recent South Pacific visits. In several countries of the region, some minority groups and individuals have been discriminated against, and believers denied the opportunity both to practice and witness to their faith in local situations. Such prejudice has even lead to stoning of church members and the burning of homes.
While issues do not reflect the excessive violations of some parts of the world, and generally freedom of conscience is guaranteed in the various island constitutions, concerns remain, says Jonathan Gallagher of the Adventist world church's Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) department.
“It's important to emphasize the general respect for religious belief in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, and Vanuatu,” Gallagher commented. “However in conversation with both state officials and religious leaders we were made aware of some causes for concern, such as the conflict between individual rights and what are seen as community responsibilities.”
Local cultural traditions assign much control to local village councils, and majority faiths often exercise influence, added Pastor Ray Coombe, the church's PARL director for the South Pacific region. “We have heard first-hand accounts and have examined court reports that give a sometimes disturbing perspective on the limitations of religious practice in the name of communal harmony. While we certainly appreciate the need to work together with the local community, it's disappointing when freedom of conscience is denied and the right to practice religious beliefs is refused.”
Coombe and Gallagher met with high-level state representatives in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, and Vanuatu and urged greater attention to fundamental freedoms, in particular the freedom of belief and practice of religion. They also recommended the creation of organizations and mechanisms to help protect liberty of conscience. In Fiji a newly established committee will examine the possibility of starting a national religious freedom association with broad representation from the various religious communities.
Copyright (c) 2006 by Adventist News Network.
