Pax Christi International ~ Newsletter no. 151~ August 2006
~ In this issue ~
Seeking New Secretary General 1
Africa 1
Role of European Countries in DR Congo 1
Catholic Groups Aiding Talks on Uganda 1
Americas & Caribbean 1
Analysing Violence in Haiti 1
Asia & Pacific 2
Pax Christi Portugal calls for Solidarity with East Timor 2
Repeal of Pakistan’s Hudood Laws is the Only Solution 2
Schools in Pakistan Must Not Teach Religion as a Compulsory Subject 2
Caritas Peacemakers From Around the World Gather in Sri Lanka 2
Bomb Blasts on Suburban Trains in Mumbai, India 3
Pax Christi International Condoles with Victims of Javanese Tsunami 3
Middle East 4
Overview of the EAPPI Placements 4
Cease Israeli Military Intervention in Gaza 5
End Violence and Punishment in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon 5
Questions and Answers on Conflict 5
Pax Christi USA on Attacks in the Middle East 5
Appeal for Peace in Lebanon 5
Pax Christi International on War in Lebanon, Israel and Palestine 6
French NGOs call for a New Peace Process 6
International Community Must Take on its Responsibilities! 6
Pax Christi USA on Iran 6
Declaration of Peace for Iraq 7
Europe 7
Bishop Gumbleton in Germany 7
Pax Christi in Lourdes 7
Security & Disarmament 8
Disarmament for Development 8
Replacing Trident in the United Kingdom? 8
Bruce Kent at the Scottish Parliament 8
Freedom from Nuclear Weapons 8
UN Arms Talks Meltdown: Conference Allows Global Gun Crisis to Continue 9
Israel Should Not Use Cluster Munitions in Lebanon 9
Human Rights 9
First Session of the Human Rights Council 9
International Christian Bodies Welcome Adoption of New Human Rights Standards 9
Protecting Undocumented Migrant Workers 10
Peace Spirituality 11
Pax Christi Icon of Reconciliation 11
21 September - International Day of Prayer for Peace 11
Representation 11
Life and Peace Institute Plans its Work for the Future 11
International Calendar 11
SEEKING New Secretary General
Pax Christi International is looking for a new Secretary General, following the resolve of the current Secretary General to take his retirement at the end of 2007. The Secretary General will be based at the Pax Christi International Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium. Contractual employment will start on October 1st, 2007. Closing date for returned applications is 15th September 2006. For more detailed information, please see IS.56.E.06.
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Africa
Role of European Countries in DR Congo
On 20 July 2006, the Commission for Solidarity with Central Africa of Pax Christi Germany issued a statement concerning the commitment of the German army in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC. The statement, issued on the occasion of the elections in the DRC, calls for an increase in civil peace building efforts, stronger economic programmes and a structural solution of the root causes of the conflict. Some European countries will assist by sending military troops to monitor the elections. Read in German, AF.45.
G.06. In addition, member organisations such as Pax Christi Italy, Pax Christi Netherlands and Pax Christi Flanders are sending observers to monitor the elections.
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Catholic Groups Aiding Talks on Uganda
The Ugandan government and the rebel Lord's Resistance Army have completed the first week of talks aimed at ending a two-decade-long insurgency that has claimed tens of thousands of victims. Neighbouring southern Sudan hosted the talks in Juba. Mediators include the vice president of the government of South Sudan, Riak Machar Teny, as well as delegates from the Community of Sant'Egidio and Pax Christi Netherlands. The round of peace talks, which ended on 24 July 2006, focused on the cessation of hostilities, comprehensive solutions, reconciliation in accountability and the grave situation of the population of northeastern Uganda. At present almost 2 million homeless people have been moved to refugee camps, causing a very serious situation from the humanitarian point of view. Peace would enable them to return to their villages. One of the most significant results of the first session of negotiations was to move from an atmosphere of hostility and animosity to one of mutual listening and give-and-take.
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Americas & caribbean
Analysing Violence in Haiti
On 29 June 2006, the Commission Episcopale Nationale Justice et Paix (JILAP), a member organisation of Pax Christi International from Haiti, issued a report listing some considerations regarding the violence in the country over the last four years. The report focuses on the metropolitan zone of Porte-au-Prince and offers reflections on: different aspects of its violence, especially armed violence; countries from where weapons are coming from; and the campaign against small arms and light weapons in relation to the United Nations Conference on Small Arms and Light Weapons which took place in New York, June – July 2006. Read details in Creole and French, AM.56.F.06.
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Asia & Pacific
Pax Christi Portugal calls for Solidarity with East Timor
On 29 June 2006, Pax Christi Portugal called for a show of solidarity with the people of East Timor through a petition that they asked organisations and individuals to sign before 3rd July 2006. It was addressed to the Government and the Church Authorities of East Timor in the first week of July. Pax Christi Portugal has supported the self-determination struggle of East Timor from the beginning. It has drawn attention to human rights abuses perpetrated against the East Timorese population and demanded justice for those crimes. Following the independence of the nation, Pax Christi Portugal stands in solidarity with the East Timorese People and the important work that needs to be done to stabilize and build the world's newest nation. For the entire article, read AP.67.E.06 and AP.67.P.06
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Repeal of Pakistan’s Hudood Laws is the Only Solution
Pax Christi International’s member organisation in Pakistan, the National Commission for Justice and Peace belongs to the National Solidarity for Equal Rights (NSER), a coalition of eleven human rights organizations. The NSER has demanded repeal of Hudood Ordinances in a resolution passed in their meeting at Lahore on June 29th, 2006. Under the Hudood law, non-Muslim citizens cannot be full witness in a court of law nor can a non-Muslim Judge preside over the hearing despite receiving the same qualifications as Muslim judges. Non-Muslim lawyers are also barred from pleading the Hudood cases in appellate Court, which is the Federal Shariat Court. The NSER is of the view that amendments to the Hudood law will not be able to undo the injustice existing in the very approach and the text of these laws. For details, read AP.68.E.06. Read also the press release of 8 July 2006 in AP.69.E.06.
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Schools in Pakistan Must Not Teach Religion as a Compulsory Subject
The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), a human rights organization of Catholic Church and a member of Pax Christi International, expressed its concern over the curriculum reforms in Pakistan schools that include teaching of Islamiyat and recitation of Quran for grade three to twelve as a compulsory subject. In an open letter to the President of Pakistan, Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha, Chairperson of NCJP, said, “Civil society, especially church based organizations, were not consulted in framing the new education policy despite their recognized contribution in the field of education in the country.” The Archbishop also highlighted five related issues including religious extremism and improving Pakistan’s education system. For the entire article, read AP.75.E.06
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Caritas Peacemakers From Around the World Gather in Sri Lanka
At a time of crisis in Sri Lanka, over 70 peace-builders from the international Catholic humanitarian organisation, Caritas Internationalis, gathered in Colombo for the Caritas World Peace Forum, 23 – 28 June 2006. The delegates, from as far as Colombia, Palestine, DR Congo, Ireland and the Philippines, shared their extensive experiences of working for peace and reconciliation in war-torn communities and provided supportto the Sri Lankan Catholic Church’s efforts in promoting peace. Delegates made exposure visits to Chilaw, Kandy, Badulla and Kurunegala.Peace building and reconciliation have become cornerstones of the work of the Caritas Confederation at national, regional and international levels.Jef Felix, member of the ExCom represented Pax Christi International and participated in the exposure visits and the Peace Forum.
Despite the fact that Sri Lanka is immersed in a conflict, Jef Felix was able to meet with Fr. Nandana Manatunga of the Human Rights and Media Resource Centre – a member organisation with Pax Christi International. In addition, he had a telephonic conversation with Fr. J. J. Bernard, OMI working in Jaffna and in Colombo, he discussed the work of the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation - or what is quite well known as "Pax Christi Jaffna" - with Bishop Thomas Savundranaygan (Jaffna).
Read more in English PB.18.E.06 and French PB.18.F.06.Final press release is in PB.19.E.06.
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Bomb Blasts on Suburban Trains in Mumbai, India
On 12 July 2006, Etienne De Jonghe, Secretary General of Pax Christi International, sent a message of condolence and solidarity to the partners in Mumbai, India, on receiving news of several explosions on the city’s trains at a number of railway stations. The message was sent to the Documentation, Research and Training Centre of the Justice and Peace Commission in Mumbai, a member organisation of Pax Christi International, and to Virginia Saldanha, former member of the ExCom of Pax Christi International. Here is an extract of the message:
“We have heard the sad news of bomb explosions at several railway stations in Mumbai. Almost 200 people have been killed instantly and many more injured. We know this extremely busy railway line very well. These attacks against innocent people are just a new dramatic fact in the cycle of violence. Humanity of others is violated again. This can never be accepted. We pray for all killed and for their families. We stand in solidarity with all those who are victimised by these events and we hope that more measures could be taken to prevent such terrorist acts especially by working, more than before, to tackle the root causes of violence and injustices.”
The Harit Vasai Saurakshan Samiti, Vasai, India, Pax Christi International’s member organisation, participated in a peace march held on 14 July 2006, to pray for Mumbai’s bomb blasts’ victims of 7/11. It was organized under the leadership of the Diocese of Vasai and assisted by social and political groups. The march ended in a public meeting held at the Gurudwara, near Vasai Road station. Various religious leaders offered prayers for the victims and their families. Bishop Thomas Dabre appealed to all individuals to develop a sense of respect for all religions. He asked religious leaders topromote inter religious dialogue. Fr Francis D’ Britto and Mr. Marcus Dabre of Harit Vasai movementled the activists of the group.
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Pax Christi International Condoles with Victims of Javanese Tsunami
In a letter to the Forum of Indonesian Catholic Society (FICS) in Yogyakarta, Java, the International Secretariat expressed its deepest sympathy for those affected by the Tsunami, which hit the island on Monday, 17 July 2006. The FICS is a Member Organisation based in Java. Pax Christi spoke of its solidarity with the people in Java and its hope for the speedy resurgence of the island and its people. Read in AP.74.E.06
In a reply received on 30 July 2006, Mr. Joko Wicoyo, on behalf of the FICS, reassured us that all the members were safe and unhurt. He went on to say, “We don't know why calamities are continually taking place in our country. Sometimes, in the silence, we wonder why they happen over and over again, making us desperate and helpless. There is no hope but later we remember Our Great Teacher Jesus and we have new spirit of life to continue struggling to cope with our problems. We, either individually or as an organisation, try to help the victims. We are a very small organization, so perhaps what we have done may not mean a lot. At least we try to share our deepest sympathy with them.”
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Middle East
Overview of the EAPPI Placements
The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) supports Palestinians and Israelis working for peace by monitoring and reporting violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, offering protection by accompanying local communities in daily activities, and by advocating with churches for a peaceful end to the Occupation. Pax Christi International supports the project and member organisations participate in its programmes.
Earlier in June 2006, the 17th team of Ecumenical Accompaniers (EA) participated in their Israeli exposure week, which included a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, a visit to a synagogue and to the Kfar Etzion settlement, as well as Kibbutz Mishmar Ha'emek, and presentations by Breaking the Silence, the Parents Circle and Dr. Ilan Pappe, University of Haifa. Below follows some detailed information on programmes in different parts of the Holy Land:
Tulkarem
The team in Tulkarem has been monitoring gates in the Separation Barrier and checkpoints, in connection with the ICRC, accompanying social workers of the YMCA when they visit families in crisis and being present in the Tulkarem refugee camp. The team has observed that farmers, who need to access their land through the agricultural gates, have not been getting their permits renewed. A new initiative has begun with the Dar Qandeel youth centre, involving young people helping to clean up the city.
Hebron
The school term has now ended, so the usual work of accompanying children to Cordoba School is on hold until the next term. In the meantime, the team has been with working with children in the Old City of Hebron at summer camps, accompanying students going to their final exams at the main checkpoint in the Tel Rumeida district, and accompanying the transportation of medical supplies from Ramallah to Hebron.
Bethlehem
The Bethlehem team monitors the ‘Bethlehem 300’ checkpoint each morning when it opens for scores of workers who need to access Jerusalem. They have reported that more and more people access this checkpoint each day as the Wall closes in around the Bethlehem villages. Passage through the checkpoint for approximately 700 workers is extremely unpredictable. The EAPPIs are also present in the villages of Al-Walaja and Nu’aman and have accompanied children who have been attending their final exams through checkpoints.