WASHINGTON - March 23 - Amnesty International USA Executive Director Dr. William F. Schulz released the following statement today in response to the trial of Abdul Rahman, an Afghan citizen charged with converting to Christianity, for which execution could be a possible punishment:

"No individual should ever be persecuted--let alone executed--for his or her religious beliefs. The freedom to practice one's own faith without fear of retribution is one of humanity's most sacred rights. If Rahman has been imprisoned solely because he converted to Christianity, he must be immediately and unconditionally released. Afghanistan has come a long way in terms of respecting and codifying human rights principles, but it must commit itself anew to judicial reform and the upholding of international standards."

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