Pax Christi International Newsletter No

Pax Christi International ~ Newsletter no. 159~ April 2007

~ In this issue ~

Obituary ...... 2 Dr. Ansgar Koschel died on 5 March 2007...... 2

Africa ...... 2 Great Lakes of Africa Consultation Meets in Rwandan Capital...... 2 Pax Christi Goma Celebrates International Women’s Day...... 3 Arche d’Alliance in DR Congo Publishes Reports on Children and Conflict...... 3 Justice Plus Calls for Greater Security for People in Eastern DR Congo...... 3 Pax Christi International Criticises Clampdown on Zimbabwe Church Groups...... 3 Greater Horn of Africa Consultation Meeting Planned for April...... 3

Americas & Caribbean ...... 4 Fairness of Haitian Elections is Called into Question...... 4 Human Rights and GAM in Guatemala...... 4 Protest Against Killing of Farmer and His Children in Zacapa, Guatemala...... 4 Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C...... 4

Asia & Pacific ...... 5 Pax Christi Australia Goes National...... 5 Jesuit Refugee Service Says Displaced Women Need Protection and Assistance...... 5 Pax Christi USA Hosts Japanese Delegation...... 5

Middle East ...... 6 Pax Christi Australia NSW Welcomes British Plan to Withdraw Iraq Troops...... 6 The Situation of Iraqi Refugees and Displaced Persons...... 6 Written Submission...... 6 Oral Statement...... 6 International Protests Mark Fourth Year of Iraq War...... 6 Reminding the Dutch Government of its Responsibility towards Iraq...... 7 Iraq Anniversaries Marked With Vigil of Remembrance...... 7 End Blocking of Diplomacy with Iran...... 7 Irish Position Paper on Palestine/Israel: Principles for a Just Peace...... 7

Europe ...... 8 Pax Christi UK Welcomes Historic Northern Ireland Power-Sharing Agreement...... 8 Pax Christi Wallonie-Bruxelles Seminar on Enlargement of European Union...... 8 National Congress of Pax Christi France on the Environment...... 8 Stop Sex Trafficking Campaign in Ireland...... 8

Disarmament & Demilitarisation ...... 9 Towards a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East: Debate in Belgium...... 9 Arms Trade Treaty Position Paper now Available...... 9 Colombian Efforts for Arms Trade Treaty...... 9 Flanders and the Arms Trade...... 10 Pax Christi International Delegation Meets with H.E. Cardinal R. Martino...... 10 Cambodia Announces Support for New Treaty Banning Cluster Munitions...... 10 Building Towards a Cluster Bomb Treaty...... 10 Belgium Bans Cluster Munitions and Now Depleted Uranium Weapons...... 11

Human Rights, the Rule of Law and Violent Conflict ...... 11 Pakistan NGO Support Group Meets in Geneva...... 11 Petition Launched in Support of Special Procedures of UN HCR...... 11 Conscientious Objector Tried by U.S. Military Court in Germany...... 11

1 Pax Christi Germany on the Violation of Refugees’ Human Rights...... 12

Peace Building ...... 12 Conference on the Future of Catholic Peacebuilding...... 12

Interfaith and Intercultural Cooperation for Peace ...... 13 Brussels Seminar on the Coexistence of Civilisations...... 13

Developing Peace Spirituality and Theology ...... 13 Pax Christi Portugal Publishes Reflection on Anniversary of Populorum Progressio...... 13

Networking ...... 13 Upcoming Council of Europe Meeting in Strasbourg...... 13

International Calendar ...... 13

OBITUARY

Dr. Ansgar Koschel died on 5 March 2007

We are deeply saddened by the recent news of the unexpected decease of Dr. Ansgar Koschel, the former Secretary General of Pax Christi Germany, who passed away on 5 March 2007. Born on 18 October 1943, he had been retired since only the end of November 2006. From 1982 to 1989, he served Pax Christi Germany as Secretary General. In later years, Ansgar and his wife Margaret were active as Pax Christi members in a number of General Assemblies, Seminars and Commissions. Ansgar devoted his entire life to inter-religious dialogue, freedom of conscience and reconciliation.

Ansgar Koschel also participated in various meetings of Pax Christi International with the Russian Orthodox Church. In 1984, he organised the Pilgrimage of Pax Christi Germany to Auschwitz, 20 years after the German section had organised its first Pilgrimage. Dialogue with the Polish and Jewish peoples was always a priority for Ansgar.

Ansgar, sometimes accompanied by Margaret, participated in many of the international gatherings of Pax Christi International. He was a respected colleague of the other national secretaries, and a cherished friend of the International Secretariat.

The International Secretariat of Pax Christi would like to offer its sincere condolences and Christian prayers to Margaret, his children and family. We pray that God will bless him with eternal life.

The funeral took place on 9 March 2007. Read more in the In Memoriam in German, in 07- 0190.

AFRICA

Great Lakes of Africa Consultation Meets in Rwandan Capital

Over fifty participants from Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo gathered from 17 to 22 February 2007 at the Centre Christus in Kigali for the Fourth Regional Consultation of Pax Christi in the Great Lakes. High on the agenda were an analysis of the current situation of peace and security in the region and the formulation of an Action Plan for the coming years. A final report of the event is forthcoming. To read an article on the Great

2 Lakes Consultation, see 07-0262. To read the statement of analysis and recommendations (in French), see AF06F07. To read the press release (in French and in English), see AF09F07.

Pax Christi Goma Celebrates International Women’s Day

The women’s section of Pax Christi Goma commemorated International Women’s Day 2007 by organising numerous consciousness-raising actions on the situation of women and their children in North Kivu (DR Congo). International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8 March every year, is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world and is observed by the United Nations and many countries as a national holiday. To read the report (in French) of Pax Christi Goma’s activities, see 07-0272.

Arche d’Alliance in DR Congo Publishes Reports on Children and Conflict

Pax Christi Member Arche d’Alliance has recently published reports on research and initiatives carried out by the organisation in the war-affected province of South Kivu in the DR Congo. These reports (in French) are on the rehabilitation of child combatants who were involved in acts of sexual violence (See 07-0237), on the assistance and protection of refugees and displaced persons (07-0238) and on the right to education for children resettling in their home communities after the war (07-0242).

Justice Plus Calls for Greater Security for People in Eastern DR Congo

Under the Sun City agreement that was designed to guide the peace process for the DR Congo, the unification of all armed groups into a single national army was considered a critical element for sustaining peace. Pax Christi Member Organisation Justice Plus in the northeast DRC has published a study on the security situation in the region, charging that the new army has not provided the security so sorely needed by the population. To read this report (in French) see 07-0203.

Pax Christi International Criticises Clampdown on Zimbabwe Church Groups

The recent arrests and torture of opposition leaders in Zimbabwe has provoked widespread condemnation by the international community. President Robert Mugabe’s ruling ZANU-PF party has also clamped down on Zimbabwean church groups carrying out human rights work. Following the arrest of eight church leaders and the closure of a church-based human rights organisation in Harare, Pax Christi International joined other European agencies to speak out on behalf of these church groups. To read the joint statement on government intimidation in Zimbabwe, see 07-0198.

Greater Horn of Africa Consultation Meeting Planned for April

Pax Christi International is organizing a Greater Horn of Africa Consultation Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 12 to 18 April 2007. The Consultation brings together 50 to 60 people from Member Organizations and other NGOs in the region. Mark Barwick of the International Secretariat and Edwin Ruigrok of Pax Christi Netherlands, together with a Regional Steering Committee, are organizing the event. The preliminary topic for discussion is the empowerment of civil society, and the development of an Action Plan for the coming years. The Ethiopian/Eritrean conflict is also on the agenda, as well as the Lord’s Resistance

3 Army-Government of Uganda peace process, the Islamic courts and the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, and a number of other issues. For more information email: [email protected]

AMERICAS & CARIBBEAN

Fairness of Haitian Elections is Called into Question

La Commission Episcopale Nationale Justice et Paix, a Member Organisation of Pax Christi International in Haiti, observed the country’s elections proceedings from February until December 2006. In several cases the proceedings were not carried out in good order and some confusion and irregularities may have occurred. For these reasons the Commission has urged the authorities to do every possible in order to ensure a fair, legal functioning of the elections in the future. The Commission has also noted that in more than in more than 70 localities, new elections should rightly take place because of irregularities the first time. On 5 March 2007, a press release was issued in Creole and French, available in 07-0187.

Human Rights and GAM in Guatemala

Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo (GAM), a Member Organisation of Pax Christi International in Guatemala, regularly issues press statements on violations of human rights in the country. The aim of these statements is to influence the authorities of Guatemala and to raise awareness and focus public opinion on the issue of human rights. Each month GAM publishes facts, analyses and information on the types of violations taking place. The most recent analysis from February is available in Spanish in 07-0211.

Protest Against Killing of Farmer and His Children in Zacapa, Guatemala

On 6 February 2007, farmer leader Israel Carias Ortiz and his children Robin Aroldo and Luswin Alexis Ramirez were killed on the road from Zacapa to Achiotes. Israel Carias was the local leader of two farmers’ organisations. Many believe that he was killed because he championed the cause of more equitable land distribution in the region for farmers. Amnesty International has confirmed the facts of the case. At the request of the Global Campaign for Agrarian Reform (FIAN), the International Secretariat sent a letter of concern to Dr. Eduardo Stein, Vice President of Guatemala, dated 14 March 2007. Read the letter in Spanish in 07- 0227.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C.

From 9 to 12 March 2007, hundreds of U.S. church members met in Washington to attend workshops on various aspects of justice and peace work. Betty Begley, delegate of Pax Christi International at the United Nations in New York, attended a talk by Sr. Filo Hirota from the Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace, a Member Organisation of Pax Christi International, on the Pacific Rim and the U.S. military restructuring for rapid deployment of forces. An Ecumenical Peace Vigil was held on 16 March 2007. Madeline Labriola, who is also a delegate of Pax Christi International to the United Nations, was in attendance.

4 ASIA & PACIFIC

Pax Christi Australia Goes National

Pax Christi Australia organised its first National Council on 27 November 2006. Present at the Council were representatives from each Australian branch—New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. The Council outlined its purposes, which included the facilitation of communication and interaction with the Asia Pacific region and Pax Christi International. Joe Camilleri will act as National President of Pax Christi Australia for at least twelve months. Maggie Galley accepted the nomination for the position of National Secretary. In addition, the priorities of each of the branches for the year 2007 were put forth. For further details, read 07- 0155.

Jesuit Refugee Service Says Displaced Women Need Protection and Assistance

The Jesuit Refugee Service Asia-Pacific (JRS), which works out of Thailand, reports that the majority of its female refugees come from neighbouring Myanmar and Laos, but that some come from as far away as Sudan, seeing shelter in Bangkok. Some are alone, but many come with children seeking a better life and future. Many fall into the traps of prostitution and crime, and those who have the courage to report to the authorities are sent to centres for illegal immigrants where living conditions are just as terrible. On the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, JRS called attention to the tragedy of women refugees, especially those from countries where there is no respect for individual rights and dignity.

A number of NGOs, including JRS, are in Thailand to provide women refugees with material, psychological and legal assistance, and to help them integrate into society. Too often women are denied asylum, fundamental rights and equal opportunities. JRS notes that half the world’s population is female, and yet women and children constitute 80% of the refugees all over the world. In March 2001 JRS published a book entitled: War has changed our life, not our spirit, with stories of women victims of war and hardship. The aim of this book was to draw attention to the urgent need to guarantee displaced women protection and assistance. JRS operates in 50 countries, with over 1,000 volunteers helping some 450,000 refugees, half of whom are women. JRS Asia-Pacific is a Member Organisation of Pax Christi International. For more information see: www.jrs.or.th

Pax Christi USA Hosts Japanese Delegation

Bishop Michael Goro Matsuura was one of the special guests at last year's conference of Pax Christi USA in Pittsburgh. As a follow-up to Bishop Goro's visit and request that our international Pax Christi network help to retain Article 9 of the Japanese constitution, the aptly named "peace clause," Pax Christi USA hosted the Archbishop of Nagasaki, the Most Reverend Mitsuaki Takami, and Sr. Filo Hirota of the Japanese Catholic Council for Justice and Peace, Member Organisation of Pax Christi International in Washington, D.C. The Japanese delegates met with political and religious leaders in the U.S. from 9 to 14 March 2007.

The Preamble to the Japanese Constitution states: "We, the Japanese people…believe that no nation is responsible to itself alone, but that laws of political morality are universal; and that obedience to such laws is incumbent upon all nations who would sustain their own sovereignty and justify their sovereign relationship with other nations…"

Article 9 then reads: "Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. . . [L] and, sea and air forces, as well as

5 other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized."

After six decades, these statements in the Japanese Constitution are now being threatened as Japan takes steps toward remilitarization, with U.S. encouragement. Further background information and sample letters of protest in English, French and Spanish are available on our website at: www.paxchristi.net

MIDDLE EAST

Pax Christi Australia NSW Welcomes British Plan to Withdraw Iraq Troops

In a statement issued on 26 February 2007, Pax Christi Australia New South Wales (NSW) welcomed the news that the UK government, as well as the Danish government, will soon begin withdrawing troops from Iraq. Over the next few months, beginning on 27 February, the UK will withdraw at least 1,600 troops from the country. Pax Christi Australia NSW is a branch of Pax Christi Australia, a Member Organisation of Pax Christi International, which has joined in solidarity with the British section of Pax Christi on this initiative. To read an article on this matter, read 07-0167.

The Situation of Iraqi Refugees and Displaced Persons.

Written Submission

Dominicans for Justice and Peace, Pax Christi International, and a number of other NGOs, expressed their deep concern for the refugees and internally displaced people of Iraq. An estimated 100,000 Iraqis leave their country each month, including many of Iraq’s best- educated professionals. Approximately 2,000,000 Iraqis have fled since the 2003 invasion and approximately 1,800,000 Iraqis have become internally displaced. A written submission, dated 28 February 2007, was presented before the 4th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Read the statement in 07-0165.

Oral Statement

The oral statement on the situation regarding Iraqi refugees and displaced persons was delivered on 22 March 2007, at the Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, in Geneva. The statement was made by Dominicans for Justice and Peace, Pax Christi International and four other partner organisations. The oral statement highlighted key elements of the written statement that was previously distributed to all member states of the United Nations and which is available on the UN website at: www.unhchr.ch/

International Protests Mark Fourth Year of Iraq War

Various Member Organisations of Pax Christi International, including Pax Christi USA and others, participated in national and regional protests from 17 to 18 March, aiming to end the war in Iraq after four years of occupation. In Belgium, for example, both Pax Christi Wallonie- Bruxelles and Pax Christi Flanders took part in national protests on 18 March calling for: 1. No War. No Occupation; 2. No Belgian Complicity; and 3. Peace in the Middle East. At the General Assembly of Pax Christi Flanders, on 17 March, a statement was released entitled: “Four Years of War Against Iraq: What is Europe Doing?” which is available in Dutch in 07- 0249.

Reminding the Dutch Government of its Responsibility towards Iraq

On 15 March 2007, IKV/Pax Christi in the Netherlands sent a letter to the Dutch government concerning the country’s responsibility vis-à-vis the situation in Iraq. The peace movement is requesting that the authorities contribute positively to the search for a political solution to the civil war and the humanitarian crisis that has arose in Iraq. Read the letter in English and Dutch in 07-0278 and 07-0278.nl. A letter was also sent to the Dutch authorities concerning the situation of refugees and IDPs in the country. This letter is available in Dutch in 07-0281.

Iraq Anniversaries Marked With Vigil of Remembrance

On 23 March, the anniversary of the release of Christian peacemaker hostages Norman Kember, James Loney and Harmeet Sooden in Iraq, and the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq, Christians held a vigil of remembrance in Trafalgar Square, London, for all victims of violence in Iraq. Norman Kember is taking part in this vigil. Norman and his colleagues were held hostage in Iraq for 118 days between November 2005 and March 2006. Tom Fox, an American Quaker, member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams with whom Norman was held prisoner, was murdered in Iraq on 10 March 2006. More information is available in 07-0274.

End Blocking of Diplomacy with Iran

The requirement of the U.S. and Europe that Iran freeze its nuclear enrichment as a prerequisite for negotiation was severely criticised by Hans Blix and Richard Haass, President of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations. According to Hans Blix, Europe and the UN Security Council are “humiliating” Iran in setting out such preconditions. “This is in a way like telling a child, first you will behave and thereafter you will be given your rewards,” Blix said. Many experts think that imposing preconditions on Iran is actually blocking diplomatic progress that could potentially resolve the Iranian nuclear crisis. On 1 March, Blix spoke on this topic at a seminar held at the Belgian Parliament. (See “Towards a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East: Debate in Belgium” in the Newsletter.)

For more on this matter, see the following article in the International Herald Tribune: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/27/america/NA-GEN-US-Nuclear-Iran.php. For a review of current developments, see: http://www.basicint.org/update/iran.htm

Dave Robinson, Executive Director of Pax Christi USA, and other religious leaders from the USA, visited Iran from 17 to 25 February 2007. They met with the President of Iran and Christian and Muslim leaders of the country. Read more about that visit at www.paxchristiusa.org

Irish Position Paper on Palestine/Israel: Principles for a Just Peace

Msgr. Raymond Field, Bishop President of Pax Christi Ireland, participated in the peace pilgrimage of bishops from North America and Europe to the Holy Land in January 2007. After his return, the Irish Commission for Justice and Social Affairs, a Commission of the Irish Bishops’ Conference of which Bishop Field is also President, published a position paper entitled: “Palestine/Israel: Principles for a Just Peace.” The Bishop gave a speech introducing this paper in March 2007, upon its release to the public and the media. Read the speech in its

7 entirety in 07-0178. The full report on this issue is also available on the website: www.catholicjustice.ie

EUROPE

Pax Christi UK Welcomes Historic Northern Ireland Power-Sharing Agreement

In a statement released on 27 March, by Gerry McFlynn on behalf of Pax Christi UK, the organisation expressed its happiness at the power-sharing agreement reached in Northern Ireland between the leaders of the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein earlier this week. In the statement, Pax Christi UK praised the agreement as a remarkable example of cooperation that could mark the end of decades of conflict. The Pax Christi Member Organisation stated that this historic agreement not only had a regional impact but potentially a global one as it “…sends a powerful message of hope not only to the long-suffering people of Northern Ireland but to those in other conflict situations that whatever their problems and difficulties peaceful progress is possible with trust and dialogue.” To read the entire statement see: 07-0293.

Pax Christi Wallonie-Bruxelles Seminar on Enlargement of European Union

Pax Christi Wallonie-Bruxelles organised a seminar on the enlargement of the European Union on 17 March. On 1 January 2007, Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union and the next likely candidate is Macedonia. Invited speakers to the seminar explained the actual living conditions in these countries and their relationships with the European Union. The situation of the Orthodox Churches was also analysed. For more information, email: [email protected]

National Congress of Pax Christi France on the Environment

Pax Christi France held its annual National Congress on 17 March on the topic of “Ecology, Peace and Lifestyle.” The aim of the Congress was to better inform others, so that they could reflect and pray about these issues. The Congress is part of the process towards the Third Ecumenical Assembly, which will take place in September in Sibiu, Romania. The General Assembly of the French National Section took place on 18 March at the Institut Catholique de Paris. Etienne De Jonghe, Secretary General of Pax Christi International, attended both meetings. On 28 April, a second (annual) study day on “Peace, Environment and Lifestyle” is taking place in Paris, organised by a national network (e-mail: [email protected] for more information). Pax Christi France has also produced a series of reflections on reconciliation, available in French in 07-0229. For more see their website: www.paxchristi.cef.fr

Stop Sex Trafficking Campaign in Ireland

Following the recent highly successful “Stop Sex Trafficking” seminar held in Tralee, Ireland, on 26 January and the follow-up public meeting on 20 February, a Kerry Stop Sex Trafficking Campaign has now been launched. The Campaign held its first public event on 8 March, International Women’s Day. Sex trafficking, now an international phenomenon, involves the transnational movement of women and young people into forced prostitution. The Kerry Diocesan Justice, Peace and Creation Committee, a Member Organisation of Pax Christi

8 International in Ireland, is coordinating this Campaign, along with other NGOs. For more see: 07-0207.

DISARMAMENT & DEMILITARISATION

Towards a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East: Debate in Belgium

The Belgian Senate, in close collaboration with Abolition 2000 Belgium, Mayors for Peace and the Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament, organised a seminar on the issue of creating a nuclear weapon-free zone for the Middle East, on 1 March. Anne-Marie Lizin, the President of the Belgian Senate and a Mayor for Peace, spoke on the role of mayors in promoting peace and supporting the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide. Dr. Hans Blix, former weapons inspector in Iraq and President of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission, spoke mostly about the (nuclear) policies of Iran and the role of the USA, the Security Council, the European Union and other groups in easing the political tensions with Iran’s government. Werner Bauwens, Special Advisor on Disarmament Affairs of the Belgian Government, explained the role of Belgium on disarmament and its role in the UN Security Council. Fr. Paul Lansu of the International Secretariat was in attendance.

Arms Trade Treaty Position Paper now Available

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Steering Committee has produced a position paper entitled: “Assessing the Feasibility, Scope and Parameters of an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT): An NGO Perspective”. This paper may be used by Member Organisations of Pax Christi International in their advocacy work to assist their respective governments in making a strong and supportive submission to the UN. The paper will also be sent by the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) to the UN missions in New York and Geneva. It is available at: http://www.iansa.org/campaigns_events/PeoplesConsultation.htm. Pax Christi International is a member of IANSA.

Colombian Efforts for Arms Trade Treaty

REDEPAZ, a Pax Christi International Member Organisation, working jointly with other Colombian NGOs, has launched an initiative aimed at encouraging the Colombian State to agree with a series of global principles related to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) that are being promoted by the NGO ATT Steering Committee. In a letter addressed to President Alvaro Uribe, REDEPAZ asked that these principles be included as part of the Colombian response to the ongoing UN Consultation on the Treaty. In December 2006, the United Nations General Assembly voted to begin work on a global ATT and requested that the Secretary-General seek the views of Member States on the feasibility, scope and draft parameters for a comprehensive, legally binding instrument. See the letter to President Uribe in Spanish in 07- 0251 and the background information document in 07-0255. More information on the global principles in different languages is available at http://www.iansa.org/campaigns_events/PeoplesConsultation.htm.

9 Flanders and the Arms Trade

The Flemish Peace Institute, in Brussels, held a seminar on the Flemish arms trade and export regulations in a European context, on 26 March 2007. The seminar focussed on three new reports that are part of the Flemish Arms Trade research project. Members of Pax Christi Flanders are members of the board of the Institute. For more information, email: [email protected]

Pax Christi International Delegation Meets with H.E. Cardinal R. Martino

A delegation of Pax Christi International members from the USA, UK, France, Italy, the Netherlands and the International Secretariat, met with H.E. Cardinal Renato Martino, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, in Rome on 9 March 2007. The aim of the meeting was to discuss some initiatives that the Catholic Church and the diplomatic community are considering regarding nuclear disarmament. The following documents, among others, were used to prepare this meeting:

 “Deterrence Revisited: U.S. Nuclear Weapons and Power Politics.” Pax Christi USA briefing paper, March 2007, in 07-0182.  “Ethique et dissuasion nucléaire.” Msgr. Marc Stenger, Bishop President Pax Christi France, October 2006, in 07-0098.  “ Nuclear Disarmament. Still a dire necessity.” Msgr. A.H. van Luyn, SDB, Bishop President of Pax Christi Netherlands, 2006, in 07-0163.  “ The Holy See, Trident and O’Brien.” By Hon. Douglas Roche, O.C., Ecumenical Seminar organised by Pax Christi UK, October 2006, DIS61E06.

Cambodia Announces Support for New Treaty Banning Cluster Munitions

On the eve of the first regional forum on cluster munitions in Southeast Asia, Cambodia announced support for banning cluster munitions. Cambodia’s declaration comes three weeks after the launch in Oslo of a process to negotiate a new international treaty prohibiting cluster munitions that cause unacceptable humanitarian harm. Governments, UN agencies and NGOs gathered on 15 March 2007, at the first regional forum on the issue in Southeast Asia. The Nobel-prize winning International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and the Cluster Munitions Coalition (CMC), of which Pax Christi International is a member, sponsored the forum. For more information, email: [email protected]

Building Towards a Cluster Bomb Treaty

The next meeting on the road to a comprehensive treaty on cluster bombs will be held in Lima, Peru from 23 to 25 May 2007. Discussions are expected to begin there on the shape of a new legal instrument. The Cluster Munitions Coalition, of which Pax Christi International is a member, is calling on all states to adopt a moratorium while this treaty is being negotiated.

More than 70 countries around the world stockpile cluster munitions containing billions of submunitions, and 34 are known to have produced them. The weapon has been used extensively in recent conflicts in Lebanon (2006), Iraq (2003), Afghanistan (2001-2002), and

10 Kosovo (1999). In Lebanon, more than 200 people have been killed or injured by unexploded submunitions since the ceasefire in August 2006.

The Cluster Munitions Coalition (CMC) was established in November 2003 with the goal of addressing the impact of cluster munitions on civilians. The CMC has a membership of over 150 nongovernmental organisations worldwide. The CMC is led by a Steering Committee of DanChurchAid, Handicap International, Human Rights Watch, International Campaign to Ban Landmines, IPPNW Russia, Landmine Action (UK), Landmine Resource Centre (Lebanon), Mines Action Canada, Pax Christi (Ireland and Netherlands), Protection (Egypt) and Norwegian People’s Aid. For more contact: [email protected]

Belgium Bans Cluster Munitions and Now Depleted Uranium Weapons

Belgium became the first country to ban cluster munitions in February 2006. Norway, Austria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina have also announced national moratoria on use of the weapon. The Oslo Conference on Cluster Munitions was the first step toward a new treaty on cluster munitions. The Norwegian government hosted this international conference following the failure of talks within the framework of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons in Geneva last November. On 22 March 2007, the Belgian Parliament also voted unanimously to ban the use of weapons containing depleted uranium. The vote was made possible thanks to the role of NGOs including For Mother Earth, Pax Christi Flanders and the Mouvement Chrétien pour la Paix. For further information see: www.motherearth.org/du

HUMAN RIGHTS, THE RULE OF LAW AND VIOLENT CONFLICT

Pakistan NGO Support Group Meets in Geneva

The Pakistan NGO Support Group (PSG) met from 23 to 24 March 2007 in Geneva. The National Commission for Justice and Peace in Pakistan, a Member Organisation of Pax Christi International, and Pax Christi International, among other NGOs, belong to the PSG. The agenda of the PSG focuses on raising specific human rights issues concerning Pakistan at the Human Rights Council and other UN organisations. Victor Santiapillai, delegate of Pax Christi International to the UN in Geneva, attended the meetings. They took place at the offices of Geneva for Human Rights, where Adrien Claude Zöller is the Director. Adrien is also Co-President of Pax Christi Switzerland. The Secretariat of the PSG is with Justitia et Pax Netherlands.

Petition Launched in Support of Special Procedures of UN HCR

The United Nations Human Rights Council is currently discussing changes to the Special Procedures through review, which must be completed by June 2007. Pax Christi International, Franciscans International, and other NGOs have associated themselves with a global petitioning campaign in order to express support for the Special Procedures. The petition can be found online at www.actforspecialprocedures.org or read more in 07-0209.

Conscientious Objector Tried by U.S. Military Court in Germany

11 On 9 March, Reinhard Voss, Secretary General of the German Pax Christi section, issued a statement concerning the trial of U.S. Conscientious Objector Agustin Aguayo before the Wurzburg U.S. Military Tribunal in Germany. In the fall of 2006, after years of struggling to be recognized as a conscientious objector and discharged from the army, Agustin did not report for duty and missed his unit’s deployment to Iraq. Shortly afterwards he was taken to Germany to be court-martialed. A member of the German section was delegated by the Diocese of Wurzburg to be a press observer during the court proceedings. The Bishops of Baghdad and Kirkuk will be informed on the outcome of the trial. The full statement, in German, can be found here: 07-0210.

Pax Christi Germany on the Violation of Refugees’ Human Rights

On 19 March 2007, Pax Christi Germany issued parallel information on Articles 16 and 17 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. With this parallel information to the 5th State Report of the Federal Republic of Germany, Pax Christi Germany intends to point out serious deficiencies in the situation of refugees who cannot be returned to their countries of origin although their asylum applications were turned down, and the situation of migrants without legal residence status. Pax Christi Germany restricts this parallel information to Articles 6, 7, 11 and 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as these articles are particularly relevant to this matter. The International Secretariat communicated these documents to J.A. Bustamante, the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the Human Rights of Migrants for the UNHCR. Read this document in 07-0252.

PEACE BUILDING

Conference on the Future of Catholic Peacebuilding

A major conference for scholars and practitioners to reflect on the theological, ethical and practical dimensions of the Church’s peacebuilding work is taking place from 13 to 15 April 2007 at the University of Notre Dame, USA. The conference is connected to a major research project which will produce a major book on the theology, ethics, and praxis of Catholic peacebuilding. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned from Catholic peacebuilding efforts around the world and future directions for this often unexamined and unheralded dimension of the Church’s ministry.

The conference is sponsored by the Catholic Peacebuilding Network. Co-sponsors include: the Boston College’s Department of Theology and Center for Human Rights and International Justice; Catholic Relief Services; Catholic Theological Union’s Bernardin Center for Theology and Ministry; Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs; Pax Christi International, the Sant’ Egidio Community in the United States; the University of Notre Dame’s Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies; and the University of Notre Dame’s Program in Catholic Social Tradition. For more information contact Gerard Powers by email at: [email protected] or Colette Sgambati by email at: [email protected].

12 INTERFAITH AND INTERCULTURAL COOPERATION FOR PEACE

Brussels Seminar on the Coexistence of Civilisations

On 15 March 2007, a policy briefing took place in Brussels on the issue of “The Coexistence of Civilisations.” HRH Prince Hassan of Jordan gave the keynote speech. The briefing was part of a series of events to identify and prioritise the main challenges to global coexistence, to explore common ground for a deeper understanding of global citizenship, and to develop a language of coexistence. Magda Van Damme of the International Secretariat was in attendance.

DEVELOPING PEACE SPIRITUALITY AND THEOLOGY

Pax Christi Portugal Publishes Reflection on Anniversary of Populorum Progressio

Pax Christi Portugal produced a reflection paper to mark the 40-year anniversary of the Encyclical, Populorum Progressio, of Pope Paul VI in 1967. The reflection was written in the context of the time of Lent this year and calls for new life styles. The document, written in Portuguese, is entitled: “Quaresma 2007: Viver com simplicidade”, and is available in 07- 0188. The Pontifical Council Justitia et Pax plans an international conference to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Populorum Progressio, from 19 to 23 June 2007, in Rome.

NETWORKING

Upcoming Council of Europe Meeting in Strasbourg

The Spring Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is taking place in Strasbourg, from 16 to 20 April 2007. The NGOs have their various groupings from 16 to 19 April. Jean Pierre Ribaut, representative of Pax Christi International, is participating in the sessions on North-South Dialogue and Solidarity, Civil Society and Democracy in Europe, Human Rights and Countryside, and the Environment. The Catholic NGOs meet on 16 April to prepare a joint message for the Third European Ecumenical Assembly, which takes place in Sibiu, Romania, from 4 to 9 September 2007. For more see: www.coe.int/ong

INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR

Click here to view the International Calendar of upcoming events: http://storage.paxchristi.net/calendar.pdf.

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Pax Christi is the International Catholic Peace Movement with members worldwide For more information visit our website: www.paxchristi.net