wfn.org | Conference Condemns Violations in Turkmenistan

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March 31, 2001
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD

Religious Freedom Conference Condemns Violations
in Turkmenistan

Hamilton, Bermuda.         Delegates attending the
International Religious Liberty Association's
International Bermuda Conference passed a resolution
March 16 condemning religious freedom violations, in
particular referencing the situation in Turkmenistan.

The resolution criticizes the Republic of urkmenistan
for "banning the holding of religious services both
in churches and in private homes," and says that the
government has "demolished religious buildings" and
"destroyed religious materials possessed by many of
these religious associations."

It goes on to say that "adherents of religious
congregations attending religious meetings have been
arrested, interrogated and forced to sign documents
agreeing never to meet again with fellow believers,"
and that "religious leaders have been arrested for
conducting religious services, incarcerated, and
threatened with long imprisonment and even death for
carrying out their religious duties."

The delegates state that they "condemn all such
actions by any country... and call upon all such
offending states... to take all appropriate measures
to ensure that everyone has the freedom to meet and
manifest their religious beliefs free from
governmental restriction or intimidation." They
conclude by stating their regret that Turkmenistan
has engaged in such religious freedom violations and
that the government should "bring the conduct of the
state into accord with its international commitments
and its human rights obligations."

The IRLA Conference in Bermuda met March 14-16 and
was attended by 120 delegates, including religious
freedom experts from Russia, Spain, France, Korea,
Ivory Coast, the UK and the US. The Conference was
addressed by leaders from the United Nations and from
Bermuda.

The IRLA is a non-denominational organization founded
in 1893 to advocate religious freedom and has
correspondents and local chapters around the world.
[Reporter for APD: Jonathan Gallagher]