Russia

Russian Protestants Commemorate Martin Luther King Day for the First Time

Left: Martin Luther King, Jr.

(Courtesy of Library of Congress. New York World- Telegram & Sun Collection)

Probably for the fi rst time ever, Russian Protestants have commemorated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This occurred on January 15 in a worship service held by Moscow City Church (MCC) at Hotel Milan in the south of the city which was attended by 70 mostly young people. The actual holiday, fi rst celebrated in the USA in 1986, takes place on the third Monday of January. Vitaly Vlasenko, Director of External

Church Relations for the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists and one of MCC’s pastors, stated that many Russians believe racism to be a distant and foreign issue. A report at the service by Daniel Ekat, a citizen of Cameroon, made clear that such a view can only be held by the white residents of Russia. Ekat, an engineer, has been beaten up twice during his 10 year stay in Russia. He reported: “My friends are

often afraid to go out into the street. When a person covered with blood is brought into our dormitory, it leaves many of my friends aghast and uncertain as to whether they should continue their studies or return home immediately. Russians think only hooligans are involved in such practices, but that is only part of the truth. We are beaten on by all those who regard us as dark-skinned monkeys.” Vlasenko added that although discrimination may appear latent to some, it dare not be ignored in Russia and elsewhere. In an interview, another speaker at the

event, the American Methodist Matthew Laferty, pastor of the partially African Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy (MPC), insisted: “My people are confronted daily with the problem of racism.” All speakers were adamant in their

insistence that all human beings are created by God and of equal worth in his eyes – that any other opinion on this issue is sin. Galatians 3:28 was quoted more than once: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” MCC hopes Martin Luther King Day

Turkey Call for Recognition of the Rights of Religious Minorities

A communiqué from the World Council of Churches (WCC) has called on all coun- tries to recognize the rights of religious minorities The Study Consultation on Freedom of Religion and Rights of Religious Minorities, held in Istanbul, Turkey, from November 28 to December 2, 2011, analyzed the rights of religious minorities and freedom of religion in various contexts, and called for recognition of international human rights standards relating to religion, belief and religious minorities.

Planned by the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs of the WCC, the consultation insisted that states and governing authorities should ensure that there is freedom for minorities to have or to adopt the religion or belief of their choice. This freedom should include the ability to change their religion; to manifest religion both privately and publicly, alone or with others, in worship, teaching, observance and

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practice; to bring up children in accordance with their own beliefs; to raise conscientious objections; as well as protection from discrimination in any sphere of life on the basis of religion or belief. The communiqué, sent out in February, recognized and welcomed “positive steps taken towards a fuller respect for freedom of religion or belief in a number of contexts.” However, it expressed “grave concern” over “serious violations of these rights” in some countries and regions. Countries are urged “to strengthen the existing protection mechanisms and devise effective safeguards against violations of national and international law relating to religious freedom.” It also stated that “concerted and coordinated efforts [should be made] on the part of religious, civil society and state actors in order to address violations” of minority religious rights. The consultation in Istanbul was drawn from churches, church related organizations,

By William Yoder

can become a traditional, annual event not only in their congregation. They are considering the creation of an annual Martin Luther King award to be presented to a person active in the fostering of human rights for all. Vlasenko says his church is committed to serving Moscow’s people by helping to change their way of thinking on moral issues. MPC is very active in serving needy of

people color as well as Russians.

Vlasenko expresses the deep hope that MCC-MPC relations might “be strength- ened and developed” during the coming years. MPC desires greater contact with Russian congregations – its social service projects are very much in need of further assistance. MPC’s “Racial Task Force” has been documenting violent acts committed against people of color over the past fi ve years. As soon as additional funding and personnel are available, this documenta- tion should be appearing in the Russian language. Moscow City Church is a mem- ber of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists. William Yoder works with the Press service of the Russian Evangelical Alliance

Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima, vice moderator of the WCC Central Committee at The Study Consultation on Freedom of Religion and Rights of Religious Minorities, held in Istanbul,

Turkey, from November 28 to December 2, 2011 (Picture courtesy of the WCC)

academia, civil society and human rights organizations, and the legal profession in 23 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and Europe. Christer Daelander of Sweden, a member of the Advisory Committee of the BWA Division on Freedom and Justice and the division’s Commission on Religious Freedom, repre- sented the BWA at the consultation.