wfn.org | Oslo Conference for Coalition on Religious Liberty

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

September 6, 1998
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

OSLO CONFERENCE PROPESES INTERNATIONAL COALITION FOR 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
98/29/01

Oslo, Norway, 06.09.1998  [ANN/APD] Attendees at the 
Oslo Conference, August 12-15, proposed the formation
of an international coalition to do more to support 
and protect religious liberty around the world, 
according to Bert Beach, director of Inter-Church 
Relations at the Adventist Church World Headquarters.

"The Conference participants pledged themselves to 
support an International Coalition to monitor and 
promote freedom of religion or belief on a world-wide 
basis," said Beach. 

"In honour of the 50th anniversary of the historic
Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United 
Nations, the Lutheran Church in Norway, with the 
substantial financial assistance and public support 
of the Norwegian government, organised the Oslo 
Conference on Freedom of Religion and Belief," said
Beach. "Over half a dozen Adventist religious liberty 
experts participated in the congress as speakers, 
reactors, and drafters of resolutions."

"In this connection religion has an important role to
play, for it can and should stand for freedom,
tolerance, and co-operation, but so often it has been
misused for intolerance, prejudice, oppression, and 
even persecution. As we face the next millennium, 
Seventh-day Adventists have a key role to play in the 
age-old controversy, holding high the religious 
liberty banner everywhere," said Beach.

The Conference concluded with the Oslo Declaration 
which affirmed by consensus strong support for 
universal freedom of religion or belief, advocated 
the development through education of a culture of 
tolerance, and asked for greater financial and 
personnel support from the UN for the investigative
work of the Special Rapporteur dealing with
violations of religious liberty.