wfn.org | WCC NEWS: Iraq - Peace workers must be released

["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 - 02/12/2005

WCC CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF PEACE WORKERS IN IRAQ

The World Council of Churches (WCC) called today for the immediate release
of four peace-workers kidnapped in Iraq. In a statement signed by Peter
Weiderud, director of the WCC Commission of the Churches on International
Affairs, the WCC asked the government of Iraq to undertake whatever steps
are necessary to secure the safe release of the four members of the
Christian Peacemaker Team.

"Their prolonged captivity is not in any one's interest and is likely to
further embitter and polarize Iraqi society, causing anger and frustration," the statement affirms. Recalling the Council's assessment of the war on
Iraq as being "immoral, illegal and ill-advised," the statement says
organizations and people working today in Iraq to bring about peace and
reconciliation need "encouragement and support".

> Full text of the statement follows:

WCC CALLS FOR RELEASE OF PEACE WORKERS IN IRAQ

The World Council of Churches is deeply distressed at the kidnapping of
four members of the Christian Peacemaker Team in Iraq. The four peace
workers [are] Tom Fox (USA), Norman Kember (UK), James Loney and Harmeet
Singh Sooden (Canada). All four were engaged in work for the Christian
Peacemaker Teams, a volunteer organization that has a history of sending
teams to situations of conflicts and crisis zones around the world.

The World Council of Churches since its inception in 1948 has clearly
spoken out against war and violence and has always called for dialogue and
engagement to settle disputes and disagreements. The Council in March 2003
spoke out on the war on Iraq as being immoral, illegal and ill-advised.

Those organizations and their staff who are working in Iraq to bring about
peace and reconciliation and for protection of civilians need our
encouragement and support. These peacemakers are undertaking this work at
great risk to their personal safety and security. In situations of
conflicts like Iraq, churches are called to seek peace and pursue it.
Efforts therefore need to be made by those concerned about human life to
intensify initiatives for active non-violence and peace building to
resolve conflicts.

The kidnappings have caused immense pain, suffering and anxiety amongst
the families and friends of those held captive. Their prolonged captivity
is not in anyone's interest and is likely to further embitter and polarize
Iraqi society, causing anger and frustration. We appeal on humanitarian
grounds to those holding them captive to ensure that while under captivity
they are treated well and looked after.

The World Council of Churches calls on those responsible for the kidnappings to immediately release all four peace workers so that they can join
their families and loved ones. The Council also calls on the government of
Iraq to undertake the steps necessary to secure their safe release.

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 347, 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.