wfn.org | WCC NEWS: Darfur: WCC calls for international peace-force

["WCC Media" <Media@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches - News release
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org 
For immediate release - 26/08/2004

WCC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE-FORCE 
AND INVESTIGATION OF WAR CRIMES IN DARFUR

			   Full text of the statement available, see below.

The WCC executive committee meeting in Seoul from 24-27 August has deplored
the ongoing humanitarian disaster and forced displacement of civilians in
Western Sudan, and has urged the African Union and the United Nations to
provide for an international peace-keeping force, the investigation of war
crimes, and the full deployment of independent observers to monitor the
ceasefire and human rights in the region.

"The ethnic cleansing which has taken place in Darfur must be reversed
before it takes on the proportions of genocide," stated WCC director of
International Affairs, Peter Weiderud. According to the United Nations, at
least 50,000 people have died in 18 months of violence blamed on
pro-government militia-men.

Reacting to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Darfur, the WCC executive
committee "urged the government of Sudan to protect its civilian population
and to disarm the pro-government militia," and calls on all parties to work
for peace and reconciliation. The WCC committee recognized the
international mobilization of churches and related agencies in support of
peace, reconciliation and rehabilitation efforts in Sudan.

The statement was made as fresh peace talks between the warring parties are
held in Nigeria. The WCC has been at the forefront of international
ecumenical efforts to reach a lasting peace in the country. Sudan has been
plagued by war almost constantly since independence in 1956, and in 2002
appointed a special ecumenical envoy, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, subsequently
elected WCC general secretary, to accompany the peace negotiations there.

The WCC committee issued the statements during its meeting in Seoul, Korea,
24-27 August 2004 as part of its regular work on issues of international
concern.

The WCC executive committee statement on Sudan will be available at 10 a.m. 
Geneva time on 27 August 2004 at:
http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/press_corner/korea-sudan.html 

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153  +41 79 507 6363
media@wcc-coe.org 

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 The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 342, in
 more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
 traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works
 cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly,
 which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally
 inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
 general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.