According to a statement made at the 59th Session of the Commission on Human Rights on March 15, 2003, by the Seventh-day Adventist Church's United Nations Liaison Office, ‘enforcing the death penalty for changing one's religion or belief is the most extreme form of religious intolerance’.

In 2004, the Adventist Church expect to raise the issue again at the Human Rights Commission's 60th Session. They are also seeking the support of member organizations of the Committee of NGOs on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

On February 10, 2004, Juan Perla, Geneva-based UN liaison officer for the Adventist Church, delivered a statement at the Commission's meeting, which called on member organizations to co-sign a joint statement denouncing the death penalty for apostasy.

"At the dawn of the 21st century, the death penalty is considered by most civilized nations as an unacceptable punishment," says Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison director for the Adventist Church. "The freedom to change one's religion or belief is supported in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; however, some states continue to enforce the death penalty for conversion, in their legal codes."

Dr. Gallagher will be attending the Commission for Human Rights 60th Session from March 31 - April 7, 2004, and he will be addressing issues of violations of conscience and religious liberty. [Editors: Viola Hughes and Juan Perla for ANR/APD]