Feb 16, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 15, 2008
Contact: Judith Ingram, Communications Director
(202) 523-3240, ext. 127
WASHINGTON-Anti-Semitism poses a significant danger to the security of countries participating in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the premier trans-Atlantic group dealing with issues of human rights and democracy, Commissioner Felice D. Gaer told a hearing of the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission). Intolerance towards one minority community can escalate easily into a more pervasive, general atmosphere of hatred, she said. "We're concerned about physical acts as well as about inaction that fuels an environment of intolerance," she said at the Feb. 7 hearing.
Gaer cited Russia, Belarus, Belgium, and Turkey-and non-OSCE participating states Iran, Uzbekistan and Egypt-as countries witnessing particularly acute surges in anti-Semitic discourse and, in some cases, violence. She urged the Members of Congress attending the hearing, which was chaired by CSCE Chair Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), to resist attempts to trivialize anti-Semitic acts and instead recognize that such acts constitute human rights abuses that can, in some cases, meet the criteria for prosecution as hate crimes.
The OSCE already possesses a unique infrastructure to address anti-Semitism, via three representatives appointed to the organization's Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). "There's no other international agency in the world that deals explicitly and distinctively with anti-Semitism," Gaer noted. However, she emphasized, the representatives' position within ODIHR must be made permanent and full-time. In response to a question by Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), Gaer also pointed out that staffing and U.S. budget constraints prevent the OSCE from utilizing its human rights resources to the fullest extent possible.
In light of such inefficiencies, the role of the U.S. government in promoting religious freedom and associated human rights in the OSCE region becomes critical, Gaer said. Answering a question from Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), she noted that, "We're not using all the tools that we have" to promote tolerance. Even though the United States originally played a substantial role in the creation and maintenance of ODIHR's programs to combat anti-Semitism, as of last year high-level U.S. support began to flag. According to Gaer, ODIHR's "work against intolerance, including anti-Semitism, is no longer singled out for particular mention or support" by the State Department, which wrongly signals that such efforts no longer constitute a top priority for the United States.
Gaer highlighted the Commission's recommendation that the OSCE Chair-in-Office provide more prominence to the three personal representatives through measures including:
·asking them to report in person to the annual full ministerial council meeting;
·ensuring that their reports are published and disseminated throughout and beyond the OSCE system;
·taking them on some of the Chair-in-Office's own visits to neighboring states and participating states; and
·encouraging participating states to invite them to visit the states separately.
"These matters could enhance not only the profile of the personal representatives, but the impact of their findings and recommendations on the scourge of anti-Semitism and combating it directly," Gaer said. Sens. Voinovich and Ben Cardin promised to raise the Commission's recommendation with the OSCE Chair-in-Office this week.
Given the rise in anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance in the OSCE region, Gaer urged the U.S. government to authorize and appropriate additional funds to ODIHR to expand its programs that would curb expressions of intolerance. Using diplomacy to express the U.S. government's ongoing commitment to the protection of freedom of religion, belief, thought or conscience is equally critical, Gaer said.
The full text of Gaer's oral and written testimonies can be found at www.uscirf.gov .
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress.
Michael Cromartie, Chair - Preeta D. Bansal, Vice Chair - Richard D. Land, Vice Chair - Don Argue - Imam Talal Y. Eid - Felice D. Gaer - Leonard A. Leo - Elizabeth H. Prodromou - Nina Shea - Ambassador John V. Hanford III, Ex-Officio
Feb 13, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 13, 2008
Contact: Judith Ingram, Communications Director,
(202) 523-3240
WASHINGTON-The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom calls on the Egyptian government to respect and enforce a series of judicial rulings that recognize limited rights of the members of some religious minority communities. On Saturday, Egypt's highest court reversed a lower court's ruling prohibiting citizens from returning to Christianity after converting to Islam. Last month, the same court overturned an Egyptian government ban on providing official identity documents to members of the Baha'i faith by allowing Baha'is to put "other" or not list their religious affiliation at all. Until that ruling, identity documents permitted registration in only one of the three officially approved faiths-Islam, Christianity, or Judaism-thereby effectively preventing Baha'is from gaining the official recognition necessary to have access to numerous public services.
"These twin decisions can be helpful steps toward meaningful reform if respected by Egyptian authorities," said Commission Chair Michael Cromartie. "After a long period of setbacks in the sphere of religious freedom, Egyptian courts have delivered some rulings that have the potential to help address aspects of these discriminatory policies. The next essential step is for these rulings to be fully implemented in practice."
The Commission nevertheless continues to be concerned over other, serious violations of the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief in Egypt. Just last week, a court denied the right of Muhammed Hegazy to convert to Christianity from Islam. Citing Article II of the Egyptian constitution, which says that Islamic law is the principal source of legislation, the judge ruled that since Hegazy was born Muslim and since Islam is the "final and most complete religion," he could not convert to another, allegedly less "complete" belief, such as Christianity. Hegazy, who has been subjected to death threats for trying to exercise the right to choose his religion freely, is the first convert to Christianity to sue Egypt for rejecting his application to officially change his religious affiliation on identity documents.
Even the most court recent ruling, in fact, leaves wide latitude for continued discrimination against religious minorities. In the case of the 12 people allowed to return to Christianity, the court ruled that their identity documents must list them as "ex-Muslim"-potentially opening a new avenue for continued prejudicial treatment by officials responsible for providing public services, police harassment, and societal violence.
"The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provides that the freedom of religion includes ‘the freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of (one's) choice,'" Cromartie said. "Egypt has a long and fabled history of religious diversity, and it is a tradition that can enrich the nation today. The government and the courts should protect the internationally recognized freedom of religion or belief for individuals of all faiths."
The Commission has previously called on the U.S. government to urge the Egyptian government to ensure that every Egyptian is protected against discrimination by modifying the national identity card such that the religious affiliation category is either eliminated or made optional. The Commission has also recommended that the U.S. government urge the Egyptian government to remove de facto responsibility for religious affairs from the State Security Services, and to repeal Article 98(f) in the Penal Code, which criminalizes insulting Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. The full list of the Commission's recommendations regarding freedom of religion in Egypt can be found in the 2007 Annual Report (http://www.uscirf.gov/reports-briefs/annual-report/2007-annual-report).
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan federal commission that advises the President, Secretary of State, and Congress on how to promote religious freedom and associated rights around the world. It was created by the U.S. Congress in the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA).
Feb 12, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 12, 2008
Contact: Judith Ingram, Communications Director
(202) 523-3240, ext. 127
WASHINGTON-The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom mourns the death of Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), an eloquent champion of human rights and a determined advocate for advancing the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief around the world.
"Rep. Lantos combined a nobility of purpose with an unwavering commitment to translating ideals into practical action," said Commission Chair Michael Cromartie. "We, along with so many around the world, will sorely miss his support, friendship, and leadership in the human rights field."
As Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and as a co-founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Rep. Lantos was one of the most vital voices on Capitol Hill for the promotion of human rights in U.S. foreign policy. "Despite the many demands on the time and attention of such a senior member of Congress, victims of human rights abuses could consistently rely upon Rep. Lantos to be an advocate for freedom," Cromartie said. "Rep. Lantos never hesitated to speak on behalf of those with no political voice."
Rep. Lantos was a longtime partner in the work of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a bipartisan body he helped bring to life through his support for the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act, landmark legislation that defined the importance of advancing religious freedom and associated human rights in American foreign policy.
"Rep. Lantos had the unique ability to inspire broad support for vitally needed rights measures that transcended party lines," said Commissioner Felice D. Gaer. "His background as a Holocaust survivor and American immigrant enabled him to shape America's human rights policies with unique empathy, determination, and effectiveness. We were so fortunate to have his powerful moral and political leadership in shaping foreign affairs. His absence is an immeasurable loss to the advocates of freedom worldwide."
The Commission extends its deepest condolences to Rep. Lantos' wife, Annette, and the rest of his family.