Global Lutheran leaders sign UN refugee agency petition
Photo: LWF/Marko Schoeneberg
LWF stands with 60 million displaced people on World Refugee Day
(LWI) - On World Refugees Day today, 20 June, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has reaffirmed its "profound concern" for refugees and forced migrants, in which 60 million displaced people live in fear, abysmal conditions and face the risks of decreased funding assistance.
In a resolution of its governing body, the Council, meeting in Wittenberg, the LWF urged Lutherans around the world to sign a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) petition calling upon world leaders to show solidarity and find solutions for people displaced by war or persecution.
The LWF governing body appealed to the world’s nations to use the 19 September UN summit on forced large-scale movements across the world to reaffirm commitment to protect the rights of all refugees and migrants, uphold international humanitarian law and provide more generous support for people in need.
The LWF Council expressed “thanks to God for the Lutheran churches and members, and people of other faiths for reaching out a loving hand of welcome to refugees and migrants in need.” It noted that this support had enabled LWF World Service to assist 2.3 million refugees and other forcibly displaced peopleacross the world.
LWF President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan and General Secretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge led Council members in signing the UNHCR petition. Leaders of LWF member churches in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North American represented on the annual LWF governing body also signed.
Sign the UNHCR online petition
