wfn.org | Adventist Church Condemns Death Penalty For Conversion

["Christian B. Schäffler (APD Schweiz)" <APD@stanet.ch>]

Adventist Church Condemns Death Penalty For Conversion

February, 20, 2004
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief APD
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Schweiz

Geneva/Switzerland (ANR/APD) According to a statement made at the 59th
Session of the Commission on Human Rights on March 15, 2003, by the
Seventh-day Adventist Church's United Nations Liaison Office, enforcing the
death penalty for changing one's
religion or belief is the most extreme form of religious intolerance.

In 2004, the Adventist Church expect to raise the issue again at the Human
Rights Commission's 60th Session. They are also seeking the support of
member organizations of the Committee of NGOs on Freedom of Religion or
Belief.

On February 10, 2004, Juan Perla, Geneva-based UN liaison officer for the
Adventist Church, delivered a statement at the Commission's meeting, which
called on member organizations to co-sign a joint statement denouncing the
death penalty for apostasy.

"At the dawn of the 21st century, the death penalty is considered by most
civilized nations as an unacceptable punishment," says Dr. Jonathan
Gallagher, UN liaison director for the Adventist
Church. "The freedom to change one's religion or belief is supported in
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; however, some
states continue to enforce the death penalty for conversion, in their legal
codes."

Dr. Gallagher will be attending the Commission for Human Rights 60th Session
from March 31 - April 7, 2004, and he will be addressing issues of
violations of conscience and religious liberty.