The World Evangelical Alliance was actively engaged during the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva. The session, which began on February 27 for five weeks, was an opportunity for the WEA to organize a conference on the impact of sanctions on the humanitarian work of the churches, to publicly speak out against the deplorable situation of religious freedom and the rights of religious minorities in Iran, Sudan, Algeria and India, and also to call on Azerbaijan to cease the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh and urgently alleviate the suffering of the Armenian population living in that region.
Here is a summary with the corresponding articles and videos, of all that has been undertaken by our Geneva office during the last weeks:
Sanctions (Or Unilateral Coercive Measures in UN language) | On 10 March 2023, the World Council of Churches, ACT Alliance, Caritas Internationalis, and WEA published a research that provides systematic overview of the challenges sanctions pose to the humanitarian work of churches, and explores pathways for addressing these challenges. The report was launched on the occasion of a side-event in conjunction with the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council, in Geneva.
- The World Evangelical Alliance | WEA and Partners Highlight Impact of Sanctions on Churches, Launch Impact Assessment Report in Geneva. March 13, 2023.
- The World Council of Churches | Report on sanctions impact launched at the UN Human Rights Council. March 10, 2023.
- Caritas Internationalis | Humanitarian exemptions are not enough to overcome the impact of sanctions on vulnerable people. March 15, 2023.
- Evangelical Focus | Christians denounce sanctions prevented the arrival of aid to Syria after the earthquake, March 17, 2023.
Iran | On 23 March 2023, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Article18, Middle East Concern, and Open Doors International launched their fifth joint annual report on Rights Violations Against Christians in Iran. The report was launched during an event in partnership with the WEA, in conjunction with the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council.
Sudan | Oral statement calling on Sudan for the swift return to civilian rule in the country and immediate action to be taken to address violations of the rights of religious minorities. March 3, 2023.
Armenia | Oral statement by WEA and World Council of Churches, calling on Azerbaijan for the immediate lifting of the blockade to allow for the two-side free and safe passage of civilians, transport and goods along the corridor and to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access to urgently alleviate the suffering of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and promote the full enjoyment of fundamental human rights of all without any discrimination. March 8, 2023.
Recognition & Registration Of Religious Communities | Oral statement on freedom of religion or belief and the challenges to the legal recognition and registration of religious communities to establish and maintain religious, charitable or humanitarian institutions. March 13, 2023.
Syria | Oral statement by NewHumanity, co-sponsored by WEA and several other catholic organizations, calling on sanctioning States to remove all the sanctions that prevent the Syrians from accessing basic needs and services, essential health supplies and that inhibit the reconstruction of basic infrastructure destroyed by the ongoing conflict and by the earthquake.
Religious Minorities | Oral statement by WEA and World Council of Churches, calling on Algeria to cease all prosecutions against Christians and allow forcibly closed Protestant churches to reopen, and calling on India to ensure order and safety for the 2500 forcibly displaced Adivasi Christians of Chhattisgarh so that they can return home without the risk of being attacked on the basis of their religion. March 22, 2023.
Algeria | Oral statement by WEA and World Council of Churches, calling on the government of Algeria to allow forcibly closed Protestant churches to reopen and to drop all the unfair court cases and accusations against Christians. March 27, 2023.
India | Oral statement by WEA and a multi-faith coalition, calling on India to guarantee the safety of all Dalit and Adivasi Indians, to investigate and condemn all cases of religious violence and discrimination on religious grounds, to repeal anti-conversion laws, and to repeal religious references in the ‘Scheduled Caste’ Constitutional Order of 1950 which exclude Christian and Muslim Dalits from accessing affirmative action benefits. March 27, 2023.
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