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The Lutheran World Federation
Lutheran World Information |
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| 01.07.2008 |
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| LWF Council Calls for Removal of HIV-Related Travel Restrictions |
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Council Takes Actions Also on Human Trafficking, Genocide and Human Rights
ARUSHA, Tanzania/GENEVA, 1 July 2008 (LWI) – At its meeting this year in Arusha, Tanzania, the Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) called on the LWF member churches to advocate for the removal of discriminatory travel and entry restrictions, and similar examples of stigmatizations to people living with HIV.
“We [the Council] draw the attention of LWF member churches to the existence in approximately 70 countries of travel and entry restrictions which discriminate against people living with HIV,” the Council stated, when it received recommendations of its Program Committee for International Affairs and Human Rights, presented by Rev. Dr David Pfrimmer, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
The recommendation was made during the adoption of proposals from the LWF Program Committee for International Affairs and Human Rights at the end of the 25- 30 June meeting in Arusha, Tanzania.
The council requested the LWF General Secretary to write to the government of the United States of America and other leading supporters of HIV-related travel and entry restrictions, seeking the elimination of such restrictions.
Human Trafficking
In the view of the submissions and discussions in plenary, the Council requested the general secretary to organize a joint hearing on human trafficking for all committees at the next Council meeting, and to produce and disseminate to the member churches a briefing paper on human trafficking and possible church responses.
Justice for Genocide Victims
The LWF Council met at the Arusha International Conference Center, where the International Criminal Tribunal (ICTR) for Rwanda is also located. In its action on genocide, the LWF Council called for reflection on proper relationship between formal international criminal justice and traditional community-based methods of delivering justice and promoting reconciliation. It requested the general secretary to gather up such reflections and consider appropriate policy for responses and intervention by LWF.
“The Council commends the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in delivering justice for the victims of genocide in Rwanda, in advancing the scope and reach of international criminal law with regard genocide and other crimes against humanity and in dealing with impunity for such crimes.”
The LWF governing body expressed support for the ICTR’s request for extension of its mandate in order to complete its valuable work.
Human Rights
The Council also reaffirmed LWF’s support for the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), as the seminal articulation of modern international human rights law, and as a key instrument for the promotion and protection of human dignity.
It encouraged all LWF member churches to observe the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the UDHR, in prayer, liturgy, preaching, teaching and advocacy actions leading up to and culminating on 10 December 2008.
The LWF governing body also invited member churches to use this anniversary year as an occasion to reflect on how to enhance their ministries for human rights, in particular through activities in the field of human rights education and learning.
The Council requested the general secretary to produce and disseminate to member churches a UDHR briefing paper, together with relevant liturgical resources. (529 words)
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Around 170 participants attended this year’s Council meeting including church leaders, officials from LWF partner organizations, invited guests, stewards, interpreters and translators, LWF staff and co-opted staff and accredited media.
The Council is the LWF’s governing body meeting between Assemblies held every six years. The current Council was appointed at the July 2003 Tenth Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada. It comprises the President, Treasurer and 48 persons elected by the Assembly. Other members include advisors, lay and ordained persons, representing the different LWF regions.
LUTHERAN WORLD INFORMATION
Tel.: +41/22-791 63 69
Fax: +41/22-791 66 30
Editor’s E-Mail: pmu@lutheranworld.org
Media contact in Arusha: +255 782 321 852
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