Afghan Convert Offered Legal Assistance by Becket FundMar 24, 2006 On March 24, 2006, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty offered to provide free legal assistance to Abdul Rahman, the Christian convert facing the death penalty in Afghanistan for converting from Islam, to defend his fundamental right to conversion before Afghan courts and international tribunals.
As an international law firm dedicated to protecting the free expression of all religious traditions, and as an NGO in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, The Becket Fund expressed grave concern for Afghanistan’s judicial protection of religious freedom and offered to fight for Rahman’s rights and ultimately his life.
“The right to maintain, manifest, and change one’s religious beliefs is a fundamental freedom to be protected in all corners, and at all times, throughout the world” stated Jared N. Leland, Spokesman and Legal Counsel for The Becket Fund. “The inalienable right to adopt another faith or change religious beliefs is no less fundamental than the freedom to congregate for worship or recite bedtime prayers. It’s a basic, nonnegotiable right.” The letter, addressed to Rahman care of the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington D.C., explains that “with proper advocacy on [Rahman’s] behalf, Afghanistan can and will live up to its obligations as a member of the international community at the United Nations, and protect [his] freedom to change [his] religion as guaranteed by its constitution, the [Universal Declaration of Human Rights], and the [International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights].”
The Becket Fund letter points out that the “[f]reedom of religion is a basic human right that no government may lawfully deny; it is not a gift of the state, but instead is rooted in the inherent dignity of the human person.” The letter also assures Rahman that “Afghanistan’s Constitution recognizes and guarantees [him] this freedom of religion” along with international agreements to which Afghanistan is bound.
“The international community has recognized the fundamental right to conversion, and now Afghanistan must as well,” said Anthony R. Picarello, Jr., President and General Counsel for The Becket Fund. “The Becket Fund will vigorously defend Mr. Rahman and all other Afghans who face punishment for exercising their right to religious liberty.”
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