wfn.org | Ocalan

["Sheila MESA" <smm@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches
Press Release
For Immediate Use
2 July 1999

WCC APPEALS TO TURKISH PRESIDENT TO COMMUTE DEATH SENTENCE OF ABDULLAH OCALAN

cf. Press release of 9 February 1999

The World Council of Churches today sent the following letter to the president of Turkey, H.E. Süleyman Demirel:

"Your Excellency,

On behalf of the World Council of Churches I appeal to you not to carry out the death sentence pronounced by the Security Court against Abdullah Ocalan.

The World Council of Churches adopted a decade and a half ago a position which opposes the use of capital punishment.  The WCC has taken this position on theological grounds, and on the basis of our conviction that the death penalty is a form of cruel and inhuman punishment which denies compassion and leaves no room for the possibility of rehabilitation of the offender.  At the same time, we are concerned that steps be taken now to break the vicious cycle of violence in your country.  Both Turks and Kurds must now know that the use of retributive violence contributes not to healing, but only to further suffering on both sides.

On these grounds, and trusting in your own wisdom and the value you place on the sanctity of life, we appeal to you to grant clemency and commute the death sentence given Abdullah Ocalan."

For further information please contact:
Salpy Eskidjian, Tel. (office): (+41.22) 791 63 14; (home): (+41.22) 788 22 02, or
Clement John, Tel. (office): (+41.22) 791 63 17; (home): (+41.22) 348 07 44

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The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of 336 churches, in more than 100 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 Konrad Raiser from the Evangelical Church in Germany.

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