wfn.org | Adventist Attorney Leads Religious Freedom Dialogue

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

May 1, 1999
Adventist Press Service(APD)
Christian B. Schäffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Schweiz

Adventist Attorney Leads Religious Freedom Dialogue

Washington, D.C./USA (APD) Government officials 
from Spain and Russia met on April 16 with civil 
rights leaders in Washington, D.C. to begin a 
dialogue on religious freedom and minority 
religions. The briefing was chaired in part by 
Seventh-day Adventist attorney Lee Boothby, counsel 
to the Council on Religious Freedom and 
president of The International Commission on 
Freedom of Conscience. 

Speakers included Aleksander I. Kudryatsev, Head of 
Department of Registration of Religious 
Organizations of the Russian Federation, and 
Professor Jose Antonio Souto, representing the 
Spanish Religious Affairs Commission.   

Boothby believes that this exchange of ideas is 
vital in building trust and promoting a broader 
understanding of the principles of religious 
liberty. 

"Our role is to facilitate discussion," he said, 
"and to encourage an open, productive dialogue on 
the importance of protecting the rights of minority 
religious groups."  

Russia, which passed legislation in 1997 requiring 
the registration of all religions, has been accused 
of marginalizing smaller religious groups in favor 
of the Russian Orthodox Church. According to 
Kudryatsev, however, the 1997 law is not intended 
to oppress religious minorities, although he admits 
that this has been the unintended effect in some 
provincial areas where the law has been implemented 
by local authorities.   

"Russian democracy is young," said Kudryatsev 
through his interpreter. "Transition from a 
totalitarian society is very difficult and it would 
be naive to think that in just a few years we can 
resolve all issues between church and state."  

Professor Souto fielded questions about the system 
of state/church "agreements" which currently 
operates in Spain, whereby religious groups enter 
into "cooperative  relationships" with the 
government. He acknowledged that there were some 
difficulties with the operation of this system, 
including the denial of tax benefits to churches 
that have not signed agreements. 

"We are trying to work through these problems with 
minority religious [groups]," said Souto, "and we 
hope that soon benefits can be passed on to 
registered churches that haven't signed 
agreements."   

The briefing, which was held at the Rayburn office 
building on Capitol Hill, was attended by 
Congressional staff members, religious leaders and 
representatives from the civil rights community. A 
spokesperson for Representative Tom Lantos, one of 
the hosts of the event, said that this dialogue was 
important in keeping the lines of communication 
open and promoting the ideals of religious liberty 
around the world.