Letters to the editor...Baha'i community thanks local MP

Dear editor, In 1982 the United Nations General Assembly (including Canada, the United States and most of the nations in the world) proclaimed and published "The Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief". Nov. 18, 2006 marked the 25th anniversary of the adoption by the General Assembly of this document. Its principles include the right to choose one's religion and the right of parents to raise their children according tot he religion of their choosing. As Canadians, we are extremely lucky to live in a peaceful country where human rights, and particularly the rights of minority religious and cultural communities, are respected. However, persecution of religious minorities is still common in many parts of the world. We Canadians, who come from all corners of the world, must always stand on guard for these essential freedoms. Recently, members of the Halton Hills Baha'i community met with MP Michael Chong in Fergus to highlight the anniversary of this UN declaration and to bring this fact to the attention of the members of the House of Parliament. The fact that our MP can take time to listen to the concerns of his constituents is a basic freedom that we should never take for granted. Thank you, Mr. Chong. Ed Weston, Secretary Halton Hills Baha'i community