wfn.org | WCC NEWS: Zimbabwe: International monitoring, humanitarian aid, protection of the population

["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 - 04/07/2008 15:04:48

CARE FOR THE PEOPLE OF ZIMBABWE, WCC TELLS THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY 

After "what can be described as a façade election", the World
Council of Churches (WCC) has called for the protection of the
population "against increased and continued violence", an
"intensified international monitoring of the situation" and the
provision of humanitarian aid. The WCC also issued a warning
concerning the possible consequences of economic sanctions. 

Despite "much debate" about the current situation in Zimbabwe,
from a religious point of view some principles remain firm, says
the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in a statement
dated 4 July. Those principles are: "to prevent violence, […] to
react to situations of compelling human need with appropriate
measures and to work toward the rebuilding of good will and
reconciliation". 

"Children and women are among the first to suffer if world
governments choose to impose economic sanctions", the statement
warns. 

In reviewing the public stances of Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela,
the African Union and the UN Security Council, Kobia says "all
are looking for justice and compassion for those who are caught
up in the continued violence, food shortages and political
intimidation". 

Whilst the WCC is ready to participate, together with African
regional church bodies, in a suggested "international monitoring"
process of the current situation in the country, the Council
"looks forward to the day when Zimbabwe has an election that can
truly be respected and seen as free, fair and just". 

>Full text of the WCC statement
>http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=6104

>WCC member churches in Zimbabwe:
>http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=4654

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

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith,
witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical
fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings
together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches
representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110
countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic
Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from
the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.