The international religious liberty community is mourning the loss of one of its most committed leaders, says John Graz, public affairs and religious liberty director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide.

Karen Lord, counsel for the Washington office of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission), died January 29, aged 33.  Lord was respected internationally as an outspoken and effective advocate of religious freedom, says Graz. Until as late as 1998, she was the United States government’s only employee devoted full time to matters of international religious liberty.

“Karen was a great and noble defender of religious freedom,” says Graz. “She worked closely with us on many issues of mutual concern, including the ongoing persecution of Christians in Turkmenistan.  Just three days before her death she wrote to me about events in Turkmenistan, commenting on the efforts of our Adventist Church pastor there. As a church, we want to pay tribute to her courage and to her relentless work on behalf of those around the world who live without the freedom to express their faith.”