News January 2006

Ecuador: New Religious Liberty Association Proposed

Participants at the Quito meeting: Pr.Lozano, Dr. Gallagher, Dr. Miranda, Pr. Rojas

Quito, Ecuador... Seventh-day Adventist leaders meeting in the capital of Ecuador are proposing the formation of a new religious liberty association, the first for the country.

"This is a vital necessity," comments Pastor Leonel Lozano, the president of the Adventist church in Ecuador. "While religious freedom is guaranteed in the constitution, there are still many inequalities in the way religious groups are treated. We need a well-organized association that will take up the cause of religious freedom for all members of society."

Participating in the January 27 initial consultations was Dr Jonathan Gallagher, deputy secretary general of the International Religious Liberty Association. He agrees with the assessment, adding that "we can bring to the country the expertise developed in the international community. We are here to help the development of a better atmosphere towards religious freedom and human rights."

This activity is also part of the United Nations liaison work of the Adventist church that seeks to promote and develop the Freedom or Belief aspects relative to the 1981 Declaration.

In the fist stages of the the new association, the planning group will be led by Dr. Winsther Miranda, a lawyer and legal advisor to the Adventist Church in Ecuador. [UN News]

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