Itt-Ott, 1991 (24. évfolyam, 1-2/118. szám)
1991 / 1-2. (118.) szám
Akadémia Sue Nichols (New York): The Unitarian Universalist Network: Human Rights in Transylvania As a North American Unitarian Universalist, I am proud of and happy about our connections with Transylvanian Unitarians. Through the International Association for Religious Freedom, we religious liberals in 55 member groups in 21 countries try to understand and support one another and to bring the world closer to peace and justice. The International Association for Religious Freedom is one of more than 800 international organizations holding consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. We can, through our consultative status, take part in United Nations human rights, disarmament, economic and social work. I am honored to serve as one of the representatives of the International Association for Religious Freedom at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The mandate of the United Nations covers all aspects of human life—from the simple mailing of a letter to another country to the most delicate disarmament negotiations—from world health to trade and development. Internationally recognized human rights norms have been developed through the United Nations, but these will be carried out only if people insist that governments act in accordance with their undertakings. Through non-governmental organizations such as the International Association for Religious Freedom, the people’s voices can be heard. Many North American Unitarian Universalists had the enviable opportunity to visit Transylvania this past summer, following the triennial International Association for Religious Freedom Congress. I was not so fortunate this year, but was in Transylvania in 1979—to observe the 400th anniversary of the death of Francis David, the first Transylvanian Unitarian theologian. It was an unforgettable experience to be with Unitarians in Hungary and Romania — to learn of their history, to see their beautiful churches, to hear their music, to taste their food, to feel their warmth and hospitality and to realize that what many on this continent think of as a very “new” religion (North American Unitarian Universalism)—has deep historic roots in Transylvania. The world was shocked in early 1988 when Nicolae Ceausescu announced the acceleration of the policy of “systematization” — supposedly to open more land for agriculture and to bring material benefits to people Paper presented at the Conference on Religious Freedom and Human Rights — Unitarians and Transylvania, University of Toledo, Ohio, October 3-6, 1990.The author is the Co-Executive Director of the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office living in rural areas. In reality, this plan was a means of obliterating the heritage and culture of ethnic minorities in Romania — mainly Hungarians and Germans. Age-old heritage villages with traditional family homes, beautiful old churches and public buildings — even cemeteries—would disappear. The Unitarian Universalist General Assembly at its June 1988 meeting responded to this crisis by passing an “immediate witness” resolution on the discrimination against ethnic minorities in Romania, stating that the relocation of village inhabitants violated basic human rights as set forth in such documents as the Helsinki Accords and the Paris Peace Treaty of February 10, 1947. The Canadian and US Governments were asked to give urgent attention to the matter. The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office was asked to bring the violations to the urgent attention of UN bodies. The Unitarian Universalist Association President, asked to “take other effective action,” appointed the Rev. Donald Szantho Harrington, already familiar to participants in this Conference, to work on the situation. Don devoted much time and energy to the task. His efforts were multifaceted: speaking, writing, organizing. He acted in practical ways—carrying essential but locally unavailable supplies to Romania. We at the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office knew that we could count on him for information and advice. The Unitarian Universalist Association then began to organize a high-level visit to Transylvania. The January 1990 delegation included UUA President Dr. William Schulz, Moderator Natalie Gulbrandsen, Massachusetts Congressman Chester Atkins, Canadian Member of Parliament Barbara Greene and others. Because their visit took place after the fall of Ceausescu, it was even more informative and productive than dreamed possible earlier. After this visit, North American Unitarian Universalists were encouraged to do three things: 1. Write to Canadian and US Government officials, requesting support of the new Romanian Government, calling for the return of US “most favored nation status” (which would imply Romanian cooperation in reporting on human rights practices). 2. Contribute to the Unitarian Universalist Transylvania Relief Fund—to help provide some of the necessities denied to the Romanian people under the Ceausescu Government, and still hard to obtain. 3. Join the Sister Church Program, which had flourished In the 1920s, but since dwindled. I am glad to report that this program is reviving. Many congregations in Transylvania are paired with congregations in North America. Continuing exchanges of letters, visits, much-needed medical and other supplies, gifts and friendship build solid bridges between the congregations. Everyone gives—all receive. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee receives funds from individuals and congregations who respond with financial support for Transylvania. A 38 ITT-OTT 24. évf. (1991), 1-2. (118.) szám
