International Religious Freedom News (June 8-June 19)Jun 21, 2007 International Religious Freedom Archive
If you would like to sign up to have these weekly newsletters delivered straight to your e-mail inbox, click here. 1. Indonesia: Sunday School Teachers Freed From Jail (Jun. 8)
2. Complaint on Behalf of French Sikh Filed at ECHR (Jun. 11)
3. Uzbekistan: Jehovah's Witness Condemned to Labor Camp (Jun. 13)
4. Tibet: Chinese Authorities Demolish Buddhist Statue (Jun. 14)
5. Kazakhstan: 12 Hare Krishna Homes Demolished (Jun. 15)
6. Italy: The Da Vinci Code Investigated for "Obscenity" (Jun. 18)
7. Pakistan: Magazine Condemned as Blasphemous, Editor Threatened (Jun. 19) Feature:
Australia debates the acceptability of the Sikh kirpan in schools, from World Sikh News. For an explanation of the significance of the kirpan, as well as the turban (item two, below) please visit United Sikhs. Update:
Radio Free Europe reports that the students at Iran's Amir Kabir University, who were arrested in conjunction with "impious" publications have allegedly been tortured while imprisoned in Tehran(ninth item) 1. Indonesia: Sunday School Teachers Freed From Jail
June 8
West Java, Indonesia
Open Doors UK reports that three women have been released from prison in Indonesia, after serving two years of a three year prison sentence for conducting a children's program in their homes, which included Bible study and Christian songs and games. In 2005, a local court sentenced Dr. Rebekka Zakaria, Eti Pangesti, and Ratna Bangun after it was discovered that thirty of the forty children attending their program were not Christian. Despite the fact that the Muslim children taking part in the program did so with the consent of their parents, Zakaria, Pangesti and Bangun were found to have violated Indonesia's Children Protection Law. 2. Complaint on Behalf of French Sikh Filed at ECHR
June 11
Strasbourg, France
BBC News reports that a complaint has been filed at the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of a French Sikh, Shingara Mann Singh, who has been repeatedly refused a driver's license due to his insistence upon wearing his turban in his photo. Mr. Singh, represented by United Sikhs, had his license stolen from him two years ago, but French authorities have refused him a new one unless he agrees to remove his turban, a sign of faith, for the photo. Since France's ban on religious headwear went into effect in 2004, several Sikhs have suffered for refusing to remove their turbans, with some students being expelled from state schools. 3. Uzbekistan: Jehovah's Witness Condemned to Labor Camp
June 13
Uzbekistan
Forum 18 reports that on May 14, a city court in Samarkand, Uzbekistan sentenced Irfon Hamidov, a Jehovah's Witness, to two years of forced labor for "illegally" teaching his faith. Witnesses add that Hamidov was "severely beaten" while in detention awaiting trial. Meanwhile,Interfax reports that in Uzbekistan's Kashkadarya province, a court banned Jehovah's Witnesses from operating, even as it granted amnesty to a man who had organized meetings for the Jehovah's Witness community. 4. Tibet: Chinese Authorities Demolish Buddhist Statue
June 14
The International Campaign for Tibet reports that Chinese authorities have demolished a thirty foot tall Buddhist statue at Samye monastery in Tibet, saying that the image violated a 2005 law which banned "large-size outdoor religious statues" commissioned by individuals. The statue, a representation of Guru Rinpoche, who is said to have established Buddhism in Tibet, was paid for by two Chinese devotees from Guangzhou Province. Since 2005, Chinese authorities have sought to gain tighter control over religious practice in Tibet, and since January of this year have introduced several new restrictions on practice. 5. Kazakhstan: 12 Hare Krishna Homes Demolished
June 15
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Forum 18 reports that twelve more properties belonging to Kazakhstan's only Hare Krishna community have been destroyed. Police oversaw the June 15 demolitions, which claimed homes belonging to members of the community. Though the Hare Krishna temple remains untouched, there are fears that it will be the next target, as authorities have already ordered community members to destroy the temple themselves. Local officials have characterized the community as "non-traditional" and expressed bewilderment as to why they would want to live in Kazakhstan. 6. Italy: The Da Vinci Code Investigated for "Obscenity"
June 18
Civitavecchia, Italy
Reuters reports that a state prosecutor's office in Italy will investigate claims as to whether the film "The Da Vinci Code" is "obscene" from a religious perspective. The investigation stems from a complaint filed by a group of clergy near Civitavecchia, north of Rome. An investigation means that the case will end up in court, though it will then be up to the judge whether or not to throw out the charges. 7. Pakistan: Magazine Condemned as Blasphemous, Editor Threatened
June 19
Islamabad, Pakistan
Reporters Without Borders Without Borders reports that the editor and several staff members of a fashion magazine, Octane, have received both a fatwa for blasphemy from a local religious leader and a blasphemy complaint from Islamabad police. The publications' article "Adam and Eve, the bone of contention" and its accompanying photos were deemed blasphemous by local religious leaders and police alike. While some people have called for the death of the staff, police have reported the magazine to higher authorities, with the intention of having "the magazine closed and the staff convicted". The editor of the magazine, meanwhile, claims he had no intention to offend and is ready to offer an apology.
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