pax christi international newsletter nr 126 – 1 july · web viewin this issue: study,...
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Pax Christi International Newsletter nr 126 – 1 July 2004
In this issue:
Study, Action and Prayer Spirituality Project Africa Americas & Caribbean Asia & Pacific Middle East Security, Disarmament and Arms Trade Human Rights Economic Justice, Development and Ecology Alternatives to Violence Peace Spirituality Representation More News from Member Organisations International Calendar
Study, Action and Prayer Spirituality Project
July 2004Study, Action and Prayer: Peace Spirituality within Pax Christi International
At the beginning of this year we began to share responses to three questions we sent to our member organisations about the prayer dimension of our movement.
How do you integrate a deepening of prayer with international realities? Are there preferred passages from Scripture that you turn to in prayer, study
and action for peace? Can you send us some comments or approaches from you as a member
organisation of Pax Christi International?
We will share the response from a different member organisation each month (with each issue of the Newsletter and available at our website: www.paxchristi.net). We encourage our member organisations to make this an ongoing, developing project by sending their own responses to the three questions. In this way we can share ideas and motivation for our work together.
For well over fifty years, the way of Pax Christi International has been one of prayer, study, and action for peace, always witnessing to the peace of Christ. We hope that this project can be one way of deepening the faith foundation of our movement. To do this we need the response of our readers. We look forward to hearing from you.
In July 2004, we publish the contribution from Pax Christi France, in ref PS.30.E.03. See also our website www.paxchristi.net go to focus.
Africa
9 June 2004
Protect People in Darfur, SudanGiven the urgent situation in Darfur, Sudan, international pressure on the government of Sudan should be increased in order to stop crimes against humanity and war crimes. On 9 June 2004, Pax Christi International issued a statement “Protect people in Darfur!” Member Organisations of Pax Christi International have been requested to translate the statement in their own language and do some advocacy work with their government. The International Secretariat urged the offices of Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations, and Javier Solana, Secretary General of the Council of the European Union and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) to give immediate assistance to protect the people of Darfur. Available here are the English and French versions of the statement (AF.27.EF.04). Dr. Harry Hagopian, contact person with the International Secretariat, wrote an article “Darfur: another forgotten genocide?” The text is available in ref.: AF.33.E.04.
14 June 2004New Conflicts Endanger Transition in DRCongoRenewed violence in the eastern city of Bukavu has jeopardized the fragile transition process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Since the discovery of a hidden arms depot linked to military officers of the RCD/Goma, a Rwanda-backed rebel movement that has been incorporated into the government of Transition, security has deteriorated in the city. Pax Christi International vice-president Msgr. Laurent Monsengwo, Archbishop of Kisangani (DRC), believes that the international community has underestimated the extent of the crisis that his country is now facing. A failed coup d’état in the capital city of Kinshasa on 12 June 2004 underscores the urgency of the situation.
Pax Christi International sent letters on 14 June 2004 to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and to Javier Solana, expressing concern for the ongoing insecurity in Bukavu. The letters emphasized the importance of strengthening the capacities of the UN peacekeeping mission to the DRCongo (known as MONUC), the need to stop the illicit exploitation of the DRC’s abundant natural resources that fuels conflict in the region and to promote efforts toward disarmament, demobilisation and re-integration of former combatants. For the complete text of these letters, see Ref. AF.30.E.04
There are presently three Pax Christi International Member Organisations based in Bukavu. See http://www.paxchristi.net/members/html/africa.php.
Religious leaders in Bukavu have also appealed for assistance to safeguard the institutions of the transition and to equip MONUC so it can sufficiently protect the civilian population. “The preservation of the Transition is the principal vehicle for incarnating the aspirations of the Congolese people,” said the leaders in a recent statement. “We invite our faithful and all the Congolese people to oppose this violence and to support the institutions of the Transition so that peace returns to Bukavu and to the rest of our country.”
The Groupe Justice et Libération, a new Pax Christi International partner organisation in Kisangani, called on the government of transition to step up efforts to pull together a national army to protect the DRC’s sensitive border areas while pursuing normalised relations with neighbouring countries. For a report (in French) on recent events in
Bukavu, see the website for the Africa Centre for Peace, Democracy and Human Rights (www.acpd-afrique.org).
Americas & Caribbean
June 2004Pax Christi USA Signs on to Venezuela Solidarity Committee (NYC) LetterPax Christi USA has signed a letter circulated by the Venezuela Solidarity Committee (NYC) calling for a congressional investigation into the improper use of U.S. tax dollars by Venezuelan individuals and organizations involved in the April 2002 coup in Venezuela on President Hugo Chavez. Documents recently made available through the Freedom of Information Act have extensively detailed the organizations that receive funding through the congressionally-funded National Endowment for Democracy (NED). To read more, go to the following PCUSA link: http://www.paxchristiusa.org/news_events_more.asp?id=625 May 2004Court Case Msgr. Oscar Romero El SalvadorMaria Julia Hernandez from Tutela Legal and member of the Executive Committee of Pax Christi International is requesting for written statements on the impact of Archbishop Oscar Romero’s life that will be used in a USA court case on his 1980 assassination. The case will be heard in August 2004. Statements submitted by people from across the world would be a great help. The Lawyer is Patty Blum and you could contact her to fill in a questionnaire and a model declaration. Her e-mail is [email protected]
Asia & Pacific
18 May 2004India: National Commission for Justice, Peace and DevelopmentOn 18 May 2004, the National Commission for Justice, Peace and Development (NCJPD) were accepted by the Executive Committee as an Affiliated organisation of Pax Christi International. The NCJPD is involved in three major initiatives: 1. ALL INDIA LAWYERS FORUM FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE
This forum is an initiative of the NCJPD, in response to the growing need for a coordinated effort by lawyers on issues of injustice, human rights violations and conflicts in the society. In September 2003, a gathering of lawyers was held to inaugurate the All India Lawyers Forum for Justice and Peace.
Follow-up consultations were held on 6 February and 25 March to evolve new strategies and action plans in the current situation where strife, discrimination, injustice and human rights violations take new forms.
The NCJPD will soon publish a directory with the profiles of the 700 lawyers in the list. These lawyers will be devoting themselves to the cause of Justice and Peace by being part of the diocesan legal cells and provides free legal aid. They will also assist
in settling disputes outside the court through arbitration and litigation. There will also be Lawyers team at the State, regional and national levels.
Plan of action include: requesting for a list of human rights violations and conflicts of each region, training people on human rights education, justice and Church teachings, and networking with peace committees of the dioceses. The regional legal cell will cater to the training of the laity and religious in legal aid and human rights education in the local language.
2. PEACE CLUBS IN SCHOOLS
To respond to the need to counter violent culture, from media and audio visuals, in the society that sow seeds of violence and hatred in the hearts and minds of children, the NCJPD has taken up the responsibility of giving a culture of peace to the children in schools through Peace Clubs. The heads of many educational institutions in Delhi have welcomed the idea and will be sending teachers to be formed as peace animators while the volunteering children will be peace messengers. For this matter, the JPDC has planned for peace manuals, peace magazines and peace conventions.
3. National Training in India
The National Commission for Justice, Peace and Development (NCJPD), in collaboration with the Asian Centre for the Progress of Peoples (ACPP), is organising a National training programme in August 2004 on the Rights Based Approach to Social Justice. The aim is to create a national network of committed person who will collaborate with the national commission on regular basis.
1 May 2004Workers’ Day Commemorated in MumbaiThe Women Networking group supported by Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC) organised a meeting to commemorate Workers’ Day on 1 May 2004. Fourteen organisations and many interested individuals participated. The DRTC, based in Mumbai, is an Affiliated Organisation with Pax Christi International.
The programme started with the Workers’ International song saluting the workers of the world to raise their voice against oppression and exploitation. After the initial introductions and briefing about the significance of the day, Mr Ramesh Kadam of “Aakaar Mumbai” affirmed that only an organised struggle will bring change.
The meeting focused on honouring six women workers from the unorganised sector. They shared briefly their life struggles in the various occupations, expressing their struggles against the system, police harassment and personal difficulties as women. These struggles were overcome by becoming organized, joining a union, hard work in order to raise their children and even working as volunteers to help other women in the community.
There was also a book release of a study conducted by Ms Damayanti Battacharya on women workers titled "Invisible Hands." Several groups also gave fitting messages in songs appropriate to the day. The meeting was concluded with songs of struggle.
10 May 2004Pakistan: NCJP Demands for Repeal of “Biased” Laws A national consultation: “A Vision for a Better Pakistan” was organized by the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) on 10 May to demand for the repeal of discriminatory laws, protection of minority and women’s rights and an end to religious biases in the curriculum, in order to improve the human rights situation in the country. The NCJP is an Affiliated Organisation with Pax Christi International.
The consultation was arranged on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of Bishop John Joseph’s death in 1998 against the unjust verdict created by the Blasphemy Laws.
The following demands and recommendations were made:- On discriminatory laws: laws that proclaim Islam as a state religion (Constitution
Art. 2 & 2A) and the Blasphemy Laws (Pakistan Penal Code 295-B&C, 298A, B&C) should be repealed, and uniform employment policy for non-Muslims on all posts should be promoted according to the Constitution (Art. 36);
- On protection of minorities: steps should be taken to protect minorities and to bring the culprits involved in violence against minorities to justice immediately;
- On religious biases in the curriculum of schools: academic syllabus should be free from all kinds of discrimination (religious, gender or ethnic), and religious studies should be an optional subject;
- On political participation and democratic development: the Election Commission should ensure a joint electorate at all levels; and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights should be ratified.
- On women’s rights: the government should accede to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) without reservations.
These are also the issues where NCJP is continuously struggling for justice.
22 June 2004Stop Harassment to Activists in Gujarat, IndiaSince the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court, shifting the Best BakeryCase out of Gujarat in April 2004, Ms. Teesta Setalvad and Fr. Cedric Prakash, of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), a co-petitioner in the Best Bakery Case, had received personal threats. Ms. Teesta Setalvad is a Pax Christi International Peace Prize recipient in 2001.
Although security provided to Ms. Teesta has been strengthened, it is alleged that the Gujarat government has been misusing state apparatus, such as the police, the Charity Commissioner and other bodies to interrogate and harass human rights activists.
In view of the situation, local human rights activists have rallied with Fr. Prakash on 11 June 2004 and a major demonstration took place on 25 June 2004 in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
On 22 June 2004, the International Secretariat of Pax Christi sent a letter requesting the Indian government to take appropriate actions to safeguard the safety of human
right activists in Gujarat. Pax Christi International urged the Indian authorities to investigate the alleged abuse of the local government and that they take adequate actions to penalize the perpetrators to prevent further threats and abuse.
Middle East
21 May 2004Proposals for Action Plan Israel – PalestineThe Working Group on the Middle East met on 21 May 2004. The meeting took place on the occasion of the General Assembly of Pax Christi International in New Jersey, USA, 19 – 23 May 2004. The Working Group adopted amongst others three proposals for action “A Co-ordinated Awareness-Raising and Campaigning Programme for Israel – Palestine.” The three suggested actions are focussed (1) on the new symbol of occupation – the Israeli Separation Wall; (2) on those who reject the use of military support for occupation – Conscientious Objectors; and (3) on non-violent accompaniment of Palestinian and Israeli communities. See document in ref.: ME.27.E.04 for the details. As addressed at the Middle East Working Group and the Plenary Session, the British Section of Pax Christi has produced background materials for the Wall Campaign part of the Action Plan. These materials are available for all member organisations to adapt and use for their own campaigns. The purpose is to provide all members organisations of Pax Christi International and others with a set of postcards, which give information and also provide an opportunity for cards to be sent to relevant political figures. You can access these resources by clicking the links below. Please feel free to download the files and adapt them for your use.
1. Information Sheet ( ref.: ME49E04) providing background information about the Wall/Fence
2. Postcards ( ref.: ME48E04a) is the front side the set of postcards. They offer three photographic images and one panel of text. (ref.: ME48E04b) is the backside the set of postcards in which the British section have addressed to their own Prime Minster and to Prime Minister Sharon. They have also set out notes on how to use the cards and provided a tear-off card so that members can order additional cards/materials. All of this would need to be adapted for your own situation.
3. The photograph which is used on the card (Wall.jpeg). All of these materials are also available on our website. Please visit the page we have created for this action plan: www.paxchristi.net/html/me.html
4 June 2004Six Days for Justice and PeaceIn the first week of June a group of Palestinian, Israeli and Dutch peace organisations regularly coordinate a series of events called 'Six Days for Justice and Peace'.
Over six days (mirroring the length of the war in 1967) activities took place in Belgium, the Netherlands and Israel/Palestine that were designed to draw attention to
the occupation of the Palestinian areas and explore alternative non-violent ways of bringing the conflict to an end. The main theme this year was freedom of movement. Without this essential human right, it is impossible for Palestinians to live and work and for vital exchanges between them and Israelis to take place.
In the context of these events, Pax Christi Netherlands, together with ABC Treehouse, has been holding on 4 June 2004 a discussion evening with two young women from the region: Jizelle Salman and Einat Podjarny. Jizelle is a teacher at a school in Bethlehem and she also works for the Arab Educational Institute, affiliated with Pax Christi International, an organisation dedicated to helping Palestinian youth. Einat, a student from Tel-Aviv, is active in the Israeli peace movement. She's a member of Ta'ayyush (which means 'coexistence'), a group that works with Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel. This grassroots organisation, which resists the occupation, is engaged in a range of humanitarian actions that underscore its solidarity with the Palestinian people. A similar evening took place in Pax Christi Flanders on 3 June 2004.
June 2004Art Initiative for Peace in Middle EastPax Christi Germany (Rottenburg – Stuttgart) and the artist KWAKU Eugen Schütz from Illingen/Württ presented the art initiative “Hope – Blossoms for Palestine” at the Katholikentag (Assembly of Catholics) in Ulm, Germany. It is an aid programme of an artistic kind in order to bring about peace. It is the aim of this initiative is to give hope to the people in Palestine and Israel by many coloured works of art simultaneously located in Israel and Palestine. This art initiative is live on the internet via Internet-Life-Stream: www.rottenburg-stuttgart.paxchristi.de. For more information email: [email protected]
Documents available from the International Secretariat:
Homily of Pentecost by H.B. Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, 30 May 2004, in English, French and German (ref.:PS.17EFG.04)
Letter from Bethlehem, nr 62, Arab Educational Institute, Toine van Teeffelen, (ref.: ME.54.E.04)
Security, Demilitarisation and Arms Trade
20 May 2004 Pax Christi International Calls for Ethical Approach to Biological Weapons.The Commission for Security, Demilitarisation and Arms Trade of Pax Christi International adopted an Open Letter entitled “Pax Christi International Calls for Ethical Approach to Biological Weapons.” The Commission met on the occasion of the General Assembly of Pax Christi International in New Jersey on 20 May 2004. Available here is the letter in English ref.: SD.08.E.04 and in Dutch ref.: SD.26.D.04.
All member organisations of Pax Christi International are now subsequently asked to publish this letter in their respective press and to send it to their national governments, associations of scientists and life science industries. The member organisations are also encouraged to join other NGOs collaborating in the Bio Weapon Prevention
Project (BWPP) in national or regional initiatives to put in practice the aims of this letter.
Pax Christi International is further requested to use the document in its lobby activities to States party to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) on the occasion of their meeting in December 2004 in Geneva as well as to seek support for its principles with other NGO's collaborating in the BWPP and the Catholic Church.
This letter aims to contribute to the debate on codes of conduct for scientists and industrialists in an effort to prevent abuse of life sciences for purposes of bio warfare or bio terrorism. Pax Christi International believes that a fruitful contribution could be made to the debate on the ethics of bio weapons. Pax Christi has a tradition of study, debate and advocacy on matters of war and peace that builds on the Catholic Social Teaching. Pax Christi is also able to mobilize ordinary citizens to speak out on the ethics of bio weapons. Look for more at Bio weapons Prevention Project: www.bwpp.org
24 May 2004The Sham that is the US/Russian Nuclear Reduction TreatyOn 24 May 2004, President George W. Bush joined Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to sign what the Bush Administration is calling an historic moment in nuclear arms reductions. The Nuclear Reduction Treaty between these two former Cold War enemies proposes that the US and Russia reduce their strategic nuclear arsenals by two-thirds. But some observers believe the Bush Administration is playing fast and loose with the word "reduction." While the Russians pushed for a treaty that would include the destruction of these weapons, the US proposed instead the "storing" of the targeted weapons in case of national emergencies.
In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11th and concerns of the Bush Administration that terrorist groups may be seeking to attain nuclear weapons, some weapons experts are stressing that the new treaty may contribute to just such a scenario. "Despite Russian overtures suggesting deeper and more permanent cuts with the actual destruction of nuclear warheads, the Bush Administration insisted that the Treaty would not propose actually destroying nuclear weapons, but instead allow for their storage," said Dave Robinson, national coordinator of Pax Christi USA. "This allows the Bush Administration to bring those weapons out of storage at virtually a moment's notice if they so choose. It also increases the likelihood that terrorist groups could get their hands on nuclear weapons."
In a statement released to coincide with the signing of the treaty, Pax Christi USA states, "By maintaining a huge reserve force of warheads, the US forces the Russians to similarly maintain such reserves - reserves which have been shown to be poorly secured and potentially available to terrorist groups and nations seeking to acquire existing weapons. Given the current concerns over terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, the insistence on maintaining operational warheads in reserve is short-sighted and may ultimately prove disastrous."
The statement from Pax Christi USA, which has been working on issues of nuclear disarmament for over thirty years, also calls into question the sincerity of the Bush
Administration's commitment to reductions in weapons of mass destruction: "[T]he Treaty's expressed intention to reduce the nuclear threat is contradicted by every other measure of commitment to nuclear disarmament. The recently completed Nuclear Posture Review [from the Bush Administration] expands the role of nuclear weapons, abandons the US's commitment to not use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapons states, and calls for the US to use nuclear weapons first in a conventional conflict."
While President Bush finalizes the treaty with President Putin, other departments in the Bush Administration continue to work on the development of low-yield nuclear weapons - coined "mini-nukes." "Even as Bush trumpets this treaty, our government is searching for a 'useable' nuclear weapon, one which they've suggested could be employed against non-nuclear weapons states," Robinson said.
August 6-8, 2004Pax Christi USA endorses Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance In commemoration of the destruction of Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) by an atomic bomb, the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance will hold a weekend-long action and demonstration, August 6-8, 2004, at the Y-12 nuclear plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The atomic material used in the Hiroshima bomb was produced at the Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge - and Y-12 continues today to make components for nuclear weapons of mass destruction. A complete schedule for the weekend is available below. Pax Christi USA encourages all of its members and friends to attend this event. For more information, please visit www.stopthebombs.org
4 June 2004International Day for Children or Victims of WarMembers of CAAT Christian Network, Pax Christi UK, Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Baptist Peace Fellowship joined together for prayer and political action in Central London on 4th June 2004, International Day for Children as Victims of War. The action was to call attention to the British Government’s continued involvement in the global arms trade. At Downing Street they presented petitions bearing more than 4,000 signatures calling on the Government to tighten arms export controls and to end subsidies to the arms industry.
Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi said “ Armed conflict, fuelled by the arms trade, continues to have a tragic impact on the world’s most vulnerable – children. According to UNICEF 2 million children have died as a result of armed conflict in the past decade.”
Prayers began at Westminster Abbey Memorial to the victims of War where the group were welcomed by the Dean the Very Rev Wesley Carr. They then processed from the DTI, to The Treasury, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to Downing Street, carrying with them images of children as victims of war. The very visual pilgrimage attracted much attention as they processed down Whitehall. This action is part of the on-going ‘Call to Conversion’ programme of education and campaigning which CAAT Christian Network and Pax Christi UK support.
14-18 June 2004Small Arms Control in Macedonia
Pax Christi Netherlands in co-operation with the United Nations Development Programme - Small Arms Control in FYR Macedonia/Safer Community Development project and the Non-governmental Organization for Human Rights and Development of Civil Society 'Civil' organised between 14-18 June 2004 an educational tour on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) risks in several urban and rural areas in Macedonia. Frank Odendahl, an active officer of the German Army, now based in the Regional Arms Control, Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre in Rakitje, Zagreb, was invited to participate. His excellent knowledge of weapons and of risks from possession of weapons. This programme will focus on the following groups: NGO people (especially those are involved in SALW issues); local and national media; police and army people (including reservists and trainees); high school and university youth; local authorities; authority persons in the communities. For more information: www.civil.org.mk or Mr Xhabir Deralla (e-mail: [email protected]).
June 2004WGWR Gun Incidents Media Monitoring Results June 2004In June 2004, the Working Group for Weapons Reduction (WGWR), Cambodia, an Affiliated Organisation with Pax Christi International, put out a press release on the latest figures from their Gun Incidents Media Monitoring programme covering the period from January to May 2004. The findings indicated that in the past five months 177 incidents of gun violence have been reported involving 440 suspected perpetrators. Among victims, 50 were killed and 84 injured. These findings indicate a general downtrend in gun-violence, but do not indicate levels of overall gun threats, which, it is thought, are on the rise. Gun threats often remain outside of the public eye because of the remoteness of the location of the crime and because of the association of such crimes with extortion by armed agents. The report concludes that while official reports of gun-related deaths may be close to reality, the total number of overall gun crimes is likely much higher than indicated by such sources. The report calls on the Cambodian government to strictly enforce its already existing gun-related laws and to eliminate loopholes in these laws, which allow security forces and powerful individuals to avoid their sanction. It calls upon civil society to work on behalf of gun crime victims and to work together with the WGWR and the Cambodian authorities on a national action plan. To learn more on the Gun Incidents Media Monitoring project E-mail: [email protected]
Human Rights
June 2004Refugees in ZenicaPax Christi Germany and the German refugees NGO “Langen” have been developing a project for the old, sick and displaced refugees in Zenica, in the area of Dadakovo. The wounds of violence during the war in Bosnia Herzegovina, 1992 – 1995, have not yet healed. The project will focus on those internal displaced who have been living for many years in refugee camps and who have no immediately perspective for return to their homes. More info in German on www.paxchristi.de/news/kurzmeldungen/index.html May 2004
Pax Christi USA Urges Members and Friends to Call for Resignation of Policymakers Related to Torture at Abu Ghraib PrisonIn his May 2004 letter to Pax Christi USA's membership, Dave Robinson - National Coordinator of Pax Christi USA, called for the resignation of Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld, Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, Director of Defence Policy Douglas Fief and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in response to the recent disclosure of the atrocities committed at Abu Ghraib prison. Robinson said, "There must be accountability for these recent atrocities and that accountability cannot be confined to the individual soldiers that appear in the despicable photos. Accountability must reside in those whose ideology have prepared and nurtured a system that has yielded a climate capable of producing such atrocities." Robinson urged all Pax Christi USA members and friends to contact their senators and representatives and urge them to hold these policymakers responsible, to publicly call for their resignation and to prosecute them as criminals. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 or 800-839-5276.
20 June 2004World Refugee Day: ECRE Cites Broken Promises on Refugee Protection On World Refugee Day (June 20), the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) launched its evaluation of the European Union's first phase of developing a Common European Asylum System. Pax Christi International works in consultation with ECRE, an umbrella organisation of 78 refugee-assisting agencies in 30 countries working toward fair and humane policies for the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.
"At the EU Tampere Summit in 1999, governments made promises to refugees for better protection", ECRE's General Secretary, Peer Baneke, said. "Many of those promises have been broken and the worst practices of some states have now found their way into EU legislation." Some of these measures risk refugees being sent back to face persecution or torture, contravening EU Member States' international legal obligations and contrary to the Tampere promise of the 'absolute respect of the right to seek asylum'. It will now be possible to remove asylum applicants to countries outside the EU without processing their asylum claim at all on the grounds that the EU considers this country to be 'generally safe' for all asylum seekers and regardless of their particular circumstances. It will also be possible for states to return refugees to their country of origin on the basis that this country is regarded as safe, without fully considering their claim for asylum. This has proved to be dangerous, as a recent case involving a refugee being returned to his home country - Romania - with no right to remain in the UK while his appeal was heard. The appeal body found that he was indeed in danger and the UK government had to bring the refugee back to safety in the UK where he was at last recognised as a refugee. Although there have been some positive measures, far too many protection standards have been left to the discretion of Member States so that agreement could be reached at the lowest common denominator. ECRE has published a report entitled "Broken Promises - Forgotten Principles” on this initial phase of the development of a Common European Asylum System. Read more at www.ecre.org
1 June 2004Trafficking of Women and Children in KosovoOn 1 June 2004, Pax Christi Flanders sent a letter of concern to the Office of the President, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, on the trafficking of women and girls in and from Kosovo. In many cases these victims are used for forced prostitution. The letter urges that all necessary measures must be implemented to end the trafficking and to further develop the National Plan of Action on Trafficking. More info: [email protected]
June 2004Pax Christi USA Prepares for Election Monitoring in NovemberPax Christi USA has announced its intention to organise international election monitoring in Florida for the upcoming presidential election in November. Citing widespread irregularities in the 2000 elections, Dave Robinson said that the monitors will help to ensure a fairer and more just election in 2004. You can follow the developments of the Every Voter, Every Vote Counts campaign at www.paxchristiusa.org
The section is also joining hands with NETWORK, a Catholic social justice lobby in Washington DC, in efforts to compile and publish comments from around the world on the importance of U.S. policies and elections to people in other countries. These remarks will be publicised in an effort to educate U.S. voters on the impact that such decisions have on the rest of the world.
Groups and individuals are invited to submit their responses to the question, “What so you want to say to people in the U.S. as they prepare to elect a president and members of Congress?” Responses should be in English and in less than 200 words. If possible, texts may be accompanied by a picture (of a person or representative image) and the name and short description of the person who is writing. Send responses to Jean Sammon at [email protected] (801 Pennsylvania Ave. SE #460, Washington, DC 20003 USA; tel. ++1-202-547-5556 ext. 12; fax ++1-202- 547-5510).
Economic Justice, Development and Ecology
23-26 September 2004European Social Week in FranceThe 100th edition of the Social Week in France will take place from 23 to 26 September 2004 in Lille. Member Organisations to join and participate in the Social Week. Several Christian trade unions from different European countries are part of the organisation. Msgr. Laurent Monsengwo, Archbishop of Kisangani and Vice President of Pax Christi International, will speak at a workshop on poverty in our world. For more information www.ssf2004.org.
Alternatives to Violence
4-6 June 2004International Decade of Culture of Peace and Non-violence
The first International Peace Initiatives Exhibition has been organized in Paris on June 4th, 5th and 6th by the French Coalition for the Decade, the Secours Catholique – Caritas France and the CCFD in the frame of the International Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010), proclaimed by the UN. More than 11.000 people visited the exhibition. Pax Christi France actively participated in the Exhibition.
On June 7th, the International Coalition for the Decade’s International Committee met in Paris. The agenda was mainly focusing on a Presentation of the International Coalition; Presentation of the commissions’ work (Education, Legal Document, Art, Civilian Intervention for Peace); Presentation of the Coalition projects: creation of new national coalitions, international conference on Culture of Peace and Non-Violence in 2006 and the promotion of the International Day of Peace (September 21st). Colette Petit, representative of Pax Christi International in Paris, and Paul Lansu of the International Secretariat attended the Coalition Meeting. More info: [email protected]
Peace Spirituality
10 February 2004Reconciliation in Germany, Europe and AfricaOn 10 February 2004, Pax Christi Germany held a seminar on reconciliation in Africa and in Europe (Germany). An article written by Wolfgang Schonecke on the event is available in English, ref.: PS.15.E.04. It will appear in the Catholic Magazine “New People” in Nairobi. Heinz Werner Wessler has written a German report of the seminar in German, ref.: PS.16.G.04.
June 2004Pax Christi USA's People's Peace InitiativeThe People's Peace Initiative is a collaborative effort of national Catholic organizations to articulate the challenges for Catholic peacemaking in the 21st century. In 2003, Pax Christi USA celebrated the 20th anniversary of the U.S. bishops' peace pastoral, Pax Christi USA issued an invitation to national Catholic organizations and ministries to join in developing a grassroots process of reflection that would lead to the writing of a "people's peace letter." Central to the vision are Jesus' Gospel values and the experiences and insights of marginalized people-especially communities of colour, women and the impoverished in the U.S. and around the world. For more information, go to the following Pax Christi USA web link: http://www.paxchristiusa.org/news_events_more.asp?id=928
June 2004Christian Spirituality of PeaceMichel Rougé and Jean Pierre Guérend of Pax Christi France have written a new book “Gagner la guerre ou reussir la paix?” This book, published in French and in total 120 pages, presents a spirituality of Christians for peace and is based on the peace work of Père Bernard Lalande, former International Secretary of Pax Christi International. Msgr. Marc Stenger, Bishop President of Pax Christi France, has written the foreword. More info: [email protected]
Representation
21 September 2004New YorkThe United Nations will celebrate the UN International Day of Peace on 21 September 2004. Madeline Labriola, a member of the UN Team of Pax Christi International in New York, wrote an article titled “International Day of Peace - Dream or Reality?” The article is available from the International Secretariat ref.:IO.02.E.04. For more information visit www.InternationalDayofPeace.org.
The UN Team of Pax Christi’s representatives will attend the 57 th Annual Conference for NGOs associated with the UN Department of Public Information, DPI, in New York, 8 – 10 September 2004. This year’s Conference is entitled “Millennium Development Goals: Civil Society Takes Action.” The Conference will focus on 8 goals set by UN Member States at the Millennium Assembly of 2000. The Conference is being planned to create the maximum amount of networking and consultations among the NGOs working directly with the UN through the DPI and ECOSOC.
21-25 June 2004StrasbourgThe Summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe took take place in Strasbourg from 21 to 25 June 2004. Jean Pierre Ribaut and Jean Pierre Grallet represented Pax Christi International. NGO groupings took place on human rights, civil society and Europe, North South Dialogue and Solidarity and on the environment. On 24 June 2004, an Information Day took place for international NGOs who have recently been awarded participatory status and newly appointed representatives.
More News From Member Organisations
1 June 2004Former President of Pax Christi British Section dies in LondonBishop Victor Guazzelli, an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Westminster, Former and President of Pax Christi British Section, died on June 1, at the age of 84. The much-loved bishop, described by colleague Bishop George Stack as the 'people's bishop' - was well known for his passion for social justice and gift of identifying with the lives of ordinary people. Archbishop Kelly of Liverpool said: "In a very different part of the world, he took into his heart concern for the bishop, priests and people of East Timor in some of their darkest days. And the breadth of his concern found expression in his commitment as a president to the advocacy and witness of Pax Christi.
Clare Dixon, Head of Latin America and Caribbean section of CAFOD, for which Bishop Victor was a member of the advisory committee for 15 years. "Bishops Victor was inspired by the example of the Latin American Church and the investment in the poorest and most excluded sections of societies. He implemented a programme in East London based on what he had seen in Latin America, asking people to make a
preferential option for the poor - to work for social change and justice. His presence in CAFOD was always full of great good humour and fun. He is a great loss." Bishop Victor was born in 1920 in London's East End. The son of Italian immigrants, he began studying for the priesthood at the English College in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1935. His passion for social justice came to the fore in 1976 when, as an auxiliary bishop of the Westminster diocese, he was charged with looking after the East London Boroughs.
In 1975, he became President of Pax Christi, the Gospel-based international movement for peace. This necessarily involved him in sometimes unpopular and often controversial causes. Pax Christi paid tribute to his easy rapport in international groups and his moral courage on the subject of war and disarmament. "We have appreciated his willingness to do the right thing and to 'stick his neck out' when necessary...he identified with ordinary people...and attempted to make justice a priority for the East London area."
He visited Bishop Bello twice in East Timor at the height of the civil conflict. Long before the injustices experienced by the people of East Timor were recognised by the West, Guazzelli was lobbying government and Church agencies on the human rights which were being violated there. He offered outstanding personal and pastoral support to the isolated and virtually unknown Bishop Bello, whose extraordinary defence of human rights would be recognised with the award of the Nobel Prize. As a member of the Latin American Desk of the Catholic Relief Agency CAFOD, he demonstrated an enduring commitment to Latin America. At different times, Cardinal Arns and Archbishop Helder Camara came to see him at his home in East London.
16-19 May 2004Pax Christi Aotearoa New Zealand Pax Christi Aotearoa New Zealand is involved in the Ecumenical Coalition for Justice. The Coalition has been formed in Auckland in 1999. Members are from the mainline denominations that have been active over the last 25 years on social justice issues, both nationally and internationally. The Coalition is working on its current project “Church and Treaty”. More: www.socialjustice.org.nz
4 June 2004Pope’s criticism of President Bush should not be obscured by medal photo-opOn 4 June 2004, Pax Christi USA issued a press release concerning the visit of USA President George Bush to the Holy Father in Rome. Here is an extract:
The atmosphere around Friday’s visit between President George W. Bush and Pope John Paul II at the Vatican seemed more like a rally stop on the campaign trail than a meeting between two world leaders who share little in common on matters of foreign policy.
“The meeting between the two world leaders and the concomitant media coverage that accompanied it suggests the strategic importance the Bush administration is placing on the Catholic vote in the upcoming presidential election,” said Dave Robinson, national director of Pax Christi USA (www.paxchristiusa.org). “But no matter how
many photo opportunities or presidential awards the Bush administration cloaks its 2004 re-election strategy in, the fact remains that this administration’s foreign policies are diametrically opposed to the values and beliefs articulated by Pope John Paul II and the worldwide Catholic Church.”
Echoing recent criticism of President Bush and his policies in the Middle East by Cardinal James Francis Stafford and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah, Pope John Paul read from a prepared text: “In the past few weeks other deplorable events have come to light which have troubled the civic and religious conscience of all, and made more difficult a serene and resolute commitment to shared human values; in the absence of such a commitment neither war nor terrorism will ever be overcome.”
Such criticism continues to be dismissed by the president. Ignoring the pope’s statements, President Bush instead chose to bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom on the ailing pontiff.
“President Bush should have used today’s meeting to offer explanations why the opinions of the world’s religious leaders are ignored by himself and others in his administration,” said Eric LeCompte, chair of the Pax Christi USA national council. “Instead, what we see is blatant political opportunism, orchestrated to confuse U.S. Catholics into thinking that President Bush is in tune with the principles of their faith.”
When the visit between president and pope was announced in mid-May, many U.S. Catholic leaders predicted that this meeting was less about President Bush seeking the counsel of Pope John Paul II and more about the upcoming presidential campaign and the important Catholic swing vote.
“Bush campaign strategists know full well the value of the well-timed photo-op,” said Robinson. “While video and photographs of Pope John Paul II and President Bush sitting side-by-side will appear in hundreds of news outlets and front pages across the country—and linger in the minds of voters for months to come—the Vatican’s harsh criticisms of President Bush’s foreign policy will continue to be underreported in the media and, unfortunately, unheard in pulpits across the United States.”
Available is also an article on this issue written by Eric LeCompte, Chairperson of Pax Christi USA, in ref.: PS.14.E.04.
International Calendar
1 – 9 July 2004 Week of Action Small Arms
IANSA [email protected]
7 – 13 July 2004 Parliament of the World’s Religions
Barcelona Spain
www.Barcelona2004.org
8 – 11 July 2004 Tenth International Conference War Tax Resistance and Peace Tax Campaigns
Brussels [email protected]
11 – 13 July 2004 Seminar Pax Christi Italy Conflict and Negotiations
Casa per la Pace Firenze Italy
12 – 16 July 2004 Seminar “Bible, Art and Peace” Pax Christi France
Gent Belgium
17 – 31 July 2004 Summer Youth Peace Camp PIMEN
St. Petersburg Russia
26 July – 13 August 2004
56th Session UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
Geneva http://www.unhchr.ch/html/calen2004.htm
30 July – 1 August 2004
2004 Pax Christi USA National Assembly
Barry University Miami Shores, FL
30 August – 8 Sept 2004
Pax Christi Germany and Austria / Youth Work Camp Riga Latvia
Latvia [email protected]
8 – 10 Sept 2004 57th Annual DPI/NGO Conference
New York USA
17 – 19 Sept 2004 Seminar Pax Christi Italy Conflict and Mediation
Casa per la Pace Firenze Italy
18 Sept 2004 Congress and General Assembly Pax Christi Flanders
Antwerp Belgium
19 – 27 Sept 2004 Annual Peace Week Pax Christi Netherlands
Netherlands
21 Sept 2004 International UN Day for Peace
23 – 25 Sept 2004 Scribani Conference on Solidarity in Europe
Antwerp Belgium
23 – 26 Sept 2004 Social Week in France and Europe
Lille France
24 – 26 Sept 2004 National Assembly Pax Christi Australia
NSW Australia
24 Sept – 3 Oct 2004 Annual Peace Week Pax Christi Flanders
Belgium [email protected]
25 – 28 Sept 2004 Conference European Justice and Peace
Sarajevo BiH
Commissions4 – 8 Oct 2004 Parliamentary
Assembly Council of Europe
Strasbourg
6 – 8 Oct 2005 International Committee International Coalition for the Decade
Paris France
www.decennie.org/international.html
14 – 17 Oct 2005 Third European Social Forum
London UK
17 – 24 Oct 2004 Week of Prayer for World Peace
United Kingdom
11 – 21 Nov 2004 Solidarity Visit Middle East Pax Christi
Pax Christi France
Magdalena Rojas tel +33-1-44490636
International Elections Monitors for the 2004 US Presidential Election
Pax Christi USA
www.paxchristiusa.org
19 – 20 Nov 2004 Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance Assembly
Rome Italy
19 – 21 Nov 2004 Close the School of the Americas
Fort Benning, GA, USA
www.SOAW.org
25 Nov – 1 Dec 2004 Great Lakes Consultation Pax Christi International
Kigali Rwanda
21 – 24 Nov 2004 “Tools for Peace? – The role of religion in conflicts” Life and Peace Institute
Uppsala Sweden
22 – 29 Dec 2004 Pax Christi Pilgrimage Holy Land
Pax Christi Netherlands- Holy Land
1 Jan 2005 World Prayer Day for Peace
26 – 31 Jan 2005 World Social Forum Porto Alegre Brazil
February 2005 6th Justice and Peace Workers Network Meeting Asia & Pacific
Lahore Pakistan
14 – 15 Feb 2005 International Committee International Coalition for the Decade
Paris France
www.decennie.org/international.html
10 – 16 April 2005 Global Week of Action on Trade
World Council of Churches
29 April – 1 May 2005 Church and Peace International Conference
Selbitz Germany
www.church-and-peace.org
1 – 5 Sept 2005 4th Asia & Pacific Consultation Pax Christi International
Bangkok Thailand
Oct 2005 Northern Consultation Pax Christi International (Europe & North America)
Nov 2005 2nd Pan Africa Consultation Pax Christi International
Nairobi [email protected]
2006 Latin America Consultation Pax Christi International
14 – 23 Feb 2006 World Council of Churches Assembly
Porto Alegre Brazil
www.wwc-coe.org/wccnews