Um “grito de esperança” de redes cristãs em favor da Palestina

Intitula-se “Grito de Esperança” e pretende ser um apelo urgente de redes e grupos cristãos, para que se ponha fim à actual situação dos palestinianos. Assinada pelo patriarca latino emérito de Jerusalém, Michel Sabbah, e pelo coordenador geral da rede Kairos Global pela Justiça, a petição apela à subscrição de todos os interessados, em apoio dos direitos do povo palestiniano, da justiça e da autodeterminação. [...] Ler +

Fonte: 7 Margens

Jerusalém: um erro perigoso e desnecessário

Desde a criação do estado de Israel em 1948, que os Estados Unidos vêm mantendo uma ligação muito especial a este país. Independentemente do partido a que pertencem, todos os presidentes norte-americanos fazem questão de proclamar a importância dessa ligação histórica que se tornou, com a passagem do tempo, uma espécie de garantia oficial e definitiva da sua independência. Trata-se de uma ligação que se deve não só ao peso financeiro e político que a comunidade judaica sempre teve nos Estados Unidos, mas também à política anti-israelita que muitos responsáveis palestinianos foram revelando ao longo do tempo, num comportamento traduzido no apoio a movimentos radicais que recusam aceitar a independência de Israel.

Apesar disso, esta ligação histórica confrontou-se sempre com algumas linhas vermelhas que o governo de Telavive nunca se atreveu a ultrapassar, sob pena de perder o apoio incondicional que sempre recebeu de Washington, e sem o qual dificilmente poderia sobreviver. Entre essas linhas vermelhas, podemos referir a que se prende com o estatuto de Jerusalém, a cidade santa que também o é para cristãos e muçulmanos. Não obstante toda carga histórica e simbólica desta cidade, ou talvez por isso mesmo, os fundadores do novo estado de Israel nunca se atreveram a considerá-la como sua capital, embora não faltasse quem guardasse esse desejo bem no fundo do coração. E isto foi sempre assim, até ao momento em que Donald Trump chegou à Casa Branca. [...] Ler +

Fonte: Voz Portucalense

Líderes eméritos das Igrejas de Jerusalém pedem ajuda para reconciliar a Terra Santa

"Escrevemos este apelo como cristãos árabes-palestinianos, que vivem aqui desde o Pentecostes e são parte integrante da sociedade", afirmaram nestes dias os líderes eméritos das Igrejas de Jerusalém ao comentarem uma declaração publicada não site Abouna, os planos israelitas de anexação.

"A Terra Santa está a pegar fogo, numa situação de guerra e a sua santidade deve ser restaurada", escrevem o patriarca emérito da Igreja Católica romana Michel Sabbah, o bispo emérito da Igreja Anglicana Riah Abu El Assal e o bispo emérito da Igreja Luterana Munib A. Younan. “A justiça está ausente. A terra de Deus convida todas as Igrejas, os governos e as pessoas de boa vontade a agir e a pôr fim a esta tragédia".

Os líderes eméritos das Igrejas de Jerusalém pedem uma reconciliação para a Terra Santa baseada na igual dignidade e direitos de todas as pessoas e não mais um povo contra o outro, e sublinham que a pandemia de Covid-19 desviou a atenção dos problemas de justiça e paz em relação às questões da vida e da morte. [...] Ler +

Fonte: Vatican News

A Pax Christi International opõe-se aos planos de anexação de Israel

A Pax Christi International opõe-se aos planos de anexação de Israel e exorta a comunidade internacional a responsabilizar Israel por violações do direito internacional

Para uma versão em PDF desta declaração em inglês, clique aqui.

A Pax Christi Internacional opõe-se veementemente ao plano de Israel de anexar qualquer área da Cisjordânia, incluindo o Vale do Jordão. Reconhecemos Jerusalém Oriental e as Colinas de Golã na Síria como anexadas ilegalmente sob o direito internacional. Continuamos a condenar os 53 anos de ocupação da Cisjordânia por parte de Israel e os seus 13 anos de bloqueio de Gaza. Mantemos uma solidariedade inabalável com as nossas irmãs e irmãos palestinianos cuja liberdade, dignidade e direitos humanos estão ameaçados por esta proposta atual e pelas ações anteriores de Israel.

Apoiamos a declaração do Conselho de Patriarcas e Chefes das Igrejas da Terra Santa, que expressa grave preocupação com qualquer ação unilateral de anexar terras. Juntamos a nossa voz à crescente denúncia do flagrante desrespeito de Israel pelo direito internacional, Convenção de Genebra e resoluções acordadas pela Assembleia Geral e pelo Conselho de Segurança das Nações Unidas. Estamos com aqueles países, sociedade civil e organizações de direitos humanos, denominações e comunidades religiosas e pessoas de consciência que pedem que Israel cesse imediatamente os seus planos de anexação. [...] Ler + (em inglês)

Fonte: Pax Christi Internacional

A wall without a future: Israelis and Palestinians live in two different worlds

By Fr. Paul Lansu
Senior Policy Advisor, Pax Christi International

The border wall between Israel and the West Bank is among the most forbidding and hostile in the world. Viewed from up close, whichever side you find yourself on, it rears up from the ground, overwhelming and dominating you. It is dispiriting, intimidating, oppressive, and otherworldly. On each side of the wall lives a different people. It is a monument to one of the world’s most intractable disputes.

I have been following the Israeli – Palestinian conflict since 1981. The conflict became increasingly complicated and, above all, unworthy. However, I could never believe that from 2002 on (during the Second Intifada) a wall would be built by Israel between the two communities. Since then I have been able to follow the construction of the wall, which has recently been completed and built on Palestinian territory. The divisions between Israel and Palestine are well established. You have to cross checkpoints in order to get in the other community, if you are allowed to do so. I regret that some visitors of the Holy Land look at the wall as “conflict tourists.” [+]


PEACE STORIES. A project of Pax Christi International, the global Catholic movement for peace

STATEMENT: Pax Christi International calls upon UN Security Council members to strongly oppose the US government's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel

Pax Christi International is appalled by the decision of U.S. President Trump, on 6 December 2017 (1), to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as well as to start the process of moving the U.S. embassy there. We are very concerned about the devastating consequences it will have for reaching a just resolution to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In line with the EU, the UN and governments around the world, we condemn this unilateral decision by the U.S. government which violates international law and is detrimental to any Israeli-Palestinian peace effort. We call upon UN Security Council members to strongly oppose this decision in the emergency meeting that is expected to take place on 8 December 2017 at the UN in New York.

We recall that in UN Resolution 181 (2), the international community, including the U.S., decided that Jerusalem should have special status, given its pluralistic and religious importance. With its latest decision, the U.S. government is departing from the foreign affairs policies of governments around the world which respect the ‘status quo’ of Jerusalem.

Pax Christi International also wants to highlight that with UN resolution 478 (3), which followed the enactment of "basic law" in the Israeli Knesset proclaiming a change in the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem (annexation of East-Jerusalem), all states are obliged to have their embassies in Tel Aviv.

Pax Christi International urges respect of the ‘status quo’ as any change should be the outcome of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. A letter from the Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches in Jerusalem to President Trump states, “We are certain that such steps will yield increased hatred, conflict, violence and suffering in Jerusalem and the Holy Land moving us farther from the goal of unity and deeper toward destructive division." (4)

We are convinced that the decision of the U.S. government is an international threat to peace and security in the Middle East region and the world. We welcome the request of eight UN Security Council Member States (5) to schedule an emergency meeting to discuss the decision. We ask the UN Security Council members to take the following action:

• To strongly condemn the decision of the U.S. government as a violation of international law and UN resolutions and to demand the continued recognition of the present international status of Jerusalem.
• To reaffirm the position taken by UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (6), in 2016, that it will not recognize any changes to the 4 June 1967 boundaries, including in regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties through negotiations.
• To confirm its determination to support the Israelis and Palestinians to reach a just and sustainable solution, guaranteeing the fundamental rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.
• To consider, as a possible solution, the reunification of the city of Jerusalem by recognising two legal, political parts, each with its own political capital, working to ensure equal rights for all.
• To protect and preserve the unique religious interests of the city: the three great monotheistic faiths of Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

Pax Christi International welcomes the recent statement of Pope Francis during his General Audience in Paul VI Hall on 6 December 2017 in which he called for the maintenance of the “status quo” of Jerusalem:

“Jerusalem is a unique city, sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, where the Holy Places for the respective religions are venerated, and it has a special vocation to peace. I pray to the Lord that such identity be preserved and strengthened for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the entire world, and that wisdom and prudence prevail, to avoid adding new elements of tension in a world already shaken and scarred by many cruel conflicts.” (7)

Brussels, 7 December 2017

____________

1. His statement can be found on the website of the Whitehouse: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/12/06/statement-president-trump-jerusalem

2. UN Security Council Resolution 181, 29 November 1947, A/RES/181(II), online available at: https://unispal.un.org/DPA/DPR/unispal.nsf/0/7F0AF2BD897689B785256C330061D253

3. UN Security Council Resolution 478, 20 August 1980, S/RES/478 (1980), online available at: https://unispal.un.org/DPA/DPR/unispal.nsf/0/DDE590C6FF232007852560DF0065FDDB

4. Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches in Jerusalem, letter of 6 December to USA President Donald Trump, online available at: https://www.lpj.org/heads-local-churches-send-letter-to-president-donald-trump-regarding-status-of-jerusalem/

5. Bolivia, Britain, Egypt, France, Italy, Senegal, Sweden and Uruguay

6. UN Security Council Resolution 2334, 23 December 2016, S/RES/2334 (2016), online available at: http://www.un.org/webcast/pdfs/SRES2334-2016.pdf

7. Zenit, ‘Jerusalem: Pope Urges Status Quo’, 6 December 2017, online available at: https://zenit.org/articles/jerusalem-pope-urges-status-quo

STATEMENT: Pax Christi International calls on the international community to urgently pressure Israel over the situation of Palestinian prisoners

Pax Christi International, together with its member organisations (1) and partners (2), is deeply concerned about the situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons—especially those who have been on a hunger strike for one month and whose situation is deteriorating. Their health is in danger and they are being subjected to violent and coercive measures and policies by the Israeli Prison Service and special units, attempting to push the prisoners to end their hunger strike. (3)

The prisoners who are on a hunger strike are engaged in a legitimate, nonviolent action to demand their basic rights, including an end to torture and ill-treatment, the use of administrative detention, unfair trials, the detention of children, demeaning detention conditions including sleep and food deprivation, insufficient medical care, solitary confinement and the denial of the right to education. (4) Their requests are just and in line with international law as humanitarian and human rights standards protecting prisoners.

Pax Christi International welcomes the recent statement of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories (5), in which he calls on Israel to comply with international law on detention. We urge the rest of the international community also to speak up to support the demands of Palestinian prisoners and to insist that Israel immediately enters into serious dialogue with the prisoners about their demands before it is too late.

This year, marks 100 years since the Balfour declaration, 70 years since UN resolution 181, and 50 years since Israel began its occupation of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights and the annexation of East Jerusalem. The hunger strike of the prisoners once again draws attention to basic human rights violations against the background of 50 years of harsh occupation. (6)

Brussels, 17 May 2017

____________

1. Our member organization in Bethlehem, the Arab Educational Institute in Bethlehem, has issued a statement (http://www.aeicenter.org/images/statement on prisoners hunger  strike.pdf) as well as Pax Christi France (http://www.paxchristi.cef.fr/v2/pax-christi-france-soutient-les-prisonni...

2. World Council of Churches, ‘WCC concerned over conditions for Palestinian prisoners’, 5May 2017, https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/tveit-concerned-about-con... and Kairos Palestine, ‘Kairos Palestine Statement on prisoners' Hunger Strike, online available at: http://www.kairospalestine.ps/index.php/kairos-palestine-blog/228-kairos...

3. Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, ‘One 30th day of hunger strike: Addameer calls for continued solidarity’, 16 May 2017, online available at: http://www.addameer.org/news/one-30th-day-hunger-strike-addameer-calls-c...

4. EuroMed Rights, ‘EU to support detained Palestinian hunger strikers’, 11 May 2017, online available at: http://www.euromedrights.org/publication/eu-support-detained-palestinian...

5. United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, ‘UN Special Rapporteur on OPT calls on Israel to comply with international law on detention’, 16 May 2017, online available at: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21624&L...

6. See our statement of last year December: http://www.paxchristi.net/news/israel-palestine-call-new-israeli-palesti...

Pax Christi International

Pax Christi International statement on the situation in Syria

Endless war crimes and enormous human suffering:

the people of Syria are in need of justice and peaceful support

Syria’s war has created the worst humanitarian crisis of our time. Six years have passed since violent repression by the Assad regime turned what began as a peaceful uprising for freedom and dignity into a brutal war. The consequences are unspeakable: half the country’s pre-war population — more than 11 million people — have been killed or forced to flee (1).

Pax Christi International is appalled by the continuation of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Our movement unequivocally condemns the chemical gas attack that killed 72 people, including 20 children (2), in Khan Sheikhoun. Many of our member organisations have also expressed their concerns (3). Despite Syria’s ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the supposed destruction of Syria’s chemical stockpile by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and UN Security Council resolutions, these despicable weapons obviously remain available in Syria – possibly to different sides – and have once again caused enormous suffering.

We fully support the ongoing investigation of the OPCW into the use of chemical weapons in Syria. The OPCW is investigating the incident under the continued mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) and has initiated contact with the Syrian authorities (4). The OPCW should have full access to attack sites and report to the UN Security Council as soon as possible. The international community should collect evidence and build criminal cases for perpetrators, including individuals, to be held criminally accountable so that justice be brought to victims. In this regard individual countries should step up their concrete support for the recently established international, impartial and independent UN mechanism for accountability in Syria.

Rather than holding perpetrators of atrocities to account or contributing to a just solution in Syria, other nations have intensified the violence in pursuit of their own interests. We hear the frustration and can imagine the heartbreak of the people of Syria. However, we deeply believe that more military action, including the U.S. missile strikes on Syrian government airfields, will not lead to a just resolution of the war and could lead to the further escalation of violence, exacerbating the suffering of Syrians. Moreover, the U.S. attack lacked a UN Security Council mandate and further contributes to the erosion of international law taking place over the past years. It is a responsibility of all members of the Council to address this problem.

We urge the international community to work with Syrian civil society, with all nations committed to a just peace in Syria, with respected faith and civil society leaders from around the world, and others to implement strategic nonviolent actions, including lifting sieges and securing humanitarian access throughout Syria; deploying independent UN monitors to re-establish a national cease-fire; supporting local peacebuilding programs in Syria; ending weapons sales and arms trafficking in the region; and urgently renewing a multinational commitment to make progress in the Geneva peace talks, which should lead to a credible political transition, as agreed upon last week at the Brussels Conference on “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region” (5).

In this regard we support the position by the EU and other countries to make reconstruction support conditional on meaningful progress towards a political transition. Individual countries should develop concrete benchmarks to assess such progress. This is also in line with the UN Secretary General who urged ‘to avoid any escalation of the situation in Syria and that these events underscored his belief that there is no way to solve the conflict other than through a political solution' (6). Intense negotiations to stop abuse of the veto in the UN Security Council are also essential if UN member states are ever going to act together effectively to protect civilians, stop war crimes, end impunity and work with Syrians to implement a viable political strategy.

Pax Christi International strongly affirms Pope Francis’s message of last year in which he stated that 'peace in Syria is possible, but that the only way to achieve it is through a political solution’ (7). We believe that a fully inclusive and nonviolent political process is the only way to end this brutal conflict. All support for ongoing military action and transfers of weapons or ammunition that are prolonging the war should immediately be stopped by the parties involved. Massive humanitarian assistance for the victims of violence and displaced communities is needed, as well as international investment in local and national peacebuilding strategies.

Next to our political work in support of the people of Syria, we call upon our members, partners and those who want to join us in a day of fasting in the coming days in support of Syria and in the light of Easter hope (8).

~ Brussels, 11 April 2017

Click here for a PDF version of this statement.

____________

1. Mercy Corps, ‘Quick facts: What you need to know about the Syria crisis’, 9 March 2017, online available at: https://www.mercycorps.org/articles/iraq-jordan-lebanon-syria-turkey/quick-facts-what-you-need-know-about-syria-crisis.

2. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, ‘Warplanes re-bomb Khan Shaykhun and the death toll of Black Tuesday massacre rise to 72 more than half of them are women and children’, April 5th 2017, online available at: http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=64136.

3. Dutch member organisation PAX calls on the UN Security Council to take action after chemical attack’, April 4th 2017, online available at: http://www.paxchristi.net/news/syria-pax-calls-unsc-take-action-after-chemical-attack/6622#sthash.MlJy9zxy.dpbs. Pax Christi Australia has also issued a statement condemning the violence on April 8th 2017, online available at: http://www.cathnews.com/media-releases/721-170408-pax-christi-church-groups-condemn-us-retaliatory-air-strikes-on-syria/file as well as Pax Christi Italy on April 6th: http://www.paxchristi.it/?p=12803 and Pax Christi USA on April 10th: https://paxchristiusa.org/2017/04/09/statement-bombing-syria-will-not-create-peace/.

4. Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), ‘Media Brief: Reported Use of Chemical Weapons, Southern Idlib, Syria’, 4 April 2017, online available at: https://www.opcw.org/news/article/media-brief-reported-use-of-chemical-weapons-southern-idlib-syria-4-april-2017/.

5. EU External Action Service, ‘Brussels Conference on “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region” agrees holistic approach to the crisis and 5.6 billion euros in pledges for 2017’, April 5th 2017, online available at: https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/24256/brussels-conference-supporting-future-syria-and-region-agrees-holistic-approach-crisis-and-56_en.

6. UN News Centre, ‘Syria: As US responds militarily to chemical attack, UN urges restraint to avoid escalation’, April 7th 2017, online available at: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56524#.WOtxsWdcKM9.

7. Crux, ‘Pope Francis says there’s no military solution in Syria’, July 5th 2017, online available at: https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2016/07/05/pope-francis-says-theres-no-military-solution-syria/.

8. Pax Christi International is supporting an initiative taken by Pax Christi Italy and Caritas Italy who are calling for a day of fast on Wednesday April 12th. Further information can be found on this website of Pax Christi Italy: http://www.paxchristi.it/?p=12803.

Pax Christi International

Pax Christi International sends letter to EU regarding Israel's move to legalise settlements

In the wake of Israel's approval of the settlement expansion bill which legalises 4000 homes in illegal settlements, the EU Foreign Affairs Council stated that these settlements are contrary to international law and an obstacle to a negotiated peace agreement between Israel and Palestine. Furthermore the proposed meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council has been postponed.

Pax Christi International calls upon the EU to take a much stronger stance towards the Israeli government in condemning policies incompatible with the human rights clause of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The EU should consider suspending economic relations until Israel respects International law.

To read the letter Pax Christi International sent to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy, click here.

Click here to sign the petition to Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

Pax Christi International

World Council of Churches gravely concerned over Israel’s travel ban

[World Council of Churches] The World Council of Churches (WCC) March 9 expressed grave concern about a new law passed March 8 by the Knesset which reportedly forbids granting entry visas to foreign nationals who call for economic, cultural or academic boycotts of either Israel or the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. The ‘Entry to Israel Act (Denial of Visa to Non-Residents Who Knowingly Call for a Boycott on Israel)’ apparently makes no distinction between boycotting Israel proper and boycotting products of the settlements, which are widely considered illegal under international law.

“If reports of its content and intent are correct, this law is a shockingly regressive law,” said WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit. “It would be a clear violation of freedom of expression, that is critical for those who want to visit Israel, for those who have to live under the occupation, and for those who want access to the Palestinian territories. It is also a significant violation of freedom of religion. It is precisely because of our Christian principles and teachings that we in the World Council of Churches find the purchase and consumption of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied territories immoral, and it is for the same reason many churches and Christians around the world choose to divest from companies that profit from the illegal occupation.”

Tveit observed that, if strictly applied according to its reported terms, “this new legislation would have the effect of barring representatives of many churches around the world from entering Israel, from accompanying sister churches and fellow Christians in the region, and from visiting the holy places for Christians. This potentially impacts the religious freedom of many Christians around the world, and harms Christians in Israel and Palestine. It could mean that I cannot, as general secretary of the WCC, visit our member churches in Israel and Palestine any more, nor go to the holy sites.” (...)

World Council of Churches

Pax Christi International: New statement on a renewed peace process for Palestine and Israel

The year 2017 will mark 100 years since the Balfour declaration that made public British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, 70 years since UN resolution 181 calling for the partition of Palestine into Arab and Jewish states, and 50 years since Israel began its occupation of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights and the annexation of East Jerusalem. Pax Christi International believes that this is the moment for a renewed commitment to end the violence and to reach a just and sustainable solution guaranteeing the fundamental rights of both Israelis and Palestinians in accordance with international law.

Today we have released a new statement calling for a renewed peace process for Israel and Palestine.

The conclusion of the statement reads:

While Pax Christi International acknowledges the legitimate grievances of both Israelis and Palestinians and the responsibility of participants on both sides to stop any violence perpetrated against the other, we cannot ignore the gross imbalance of power and resources in favour of Israel. We therefore emphasise the following:

• that a sustainable peace and reconciliation will only be achieved if Israelis and Palestinians engage in the peace process as equals;
• that it is essential that the legitimacy and rights of both are respected and protected, which has not been the case to this point, as the rights of Palestinians have been systematically denied;
• nonviolent struggles should be supported and the strategy set forth by the BDS-movement is one of the possible nonviolent approaches to apply international pressure on Israel until the changes necessary to create an environment for a renewed peace process have been achieved, but we do not call for a boycott of the state of Israel as a whole.

Pax Christi International urges the international community to stay focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to contribute, together with the Palestinian and Israeli people and authorities, to a revival of the peace process so that an agreement can finally be reached and an enforcement mechanism put in place.

As stated by H.B. Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem and former President of Pax Christi International: "We can help leaders and people to free themselves from fear and mistrust and to reach the so long-desired peace. The beginning of Palestinian freedom is also the beginning of reconciliation between the two peoples, Palestinians and Israelis."

Click here to read the entire statement on our website.

Pax Christi International calls for international community to assure Mosul does not become another place of agony in the Middle East

Pax Christi International

Pax Christi International statement on the occasion of the Action Day for Peace in Syria, 24 October

This is our message to the international community for the occasion of the Action Day for Peace in Syria on this year’s UN Day.


On this UN Day of Action for Peace in Syria, we join all friends of peace around the world in calling the international community:

1. To immediately halt all aerial attacks on Aleppo and to expedite medical evacuations and unimpeded humanitarian access. Simultaneously efforts must be encouraged to restore a nationwide ceasefire with strong monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

2. To lift all sieges in accordance with the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 2139 and 2165, and to especially demand an immediate end to the “surrender or starve” siege strategy by the Syrian government. The UN should also strictly adhere to the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence.

3. To protect civilians and promote accountability in Syria. EU member states need to support current calls for the UN General Assembly to hold a special Emergency Session on Syria.

4. To support the hundreds of peaceful Syrian civil society organizations delivering services and laying the foundations for a future peaceful Syria. Such organizations form a middle ground in between the Syrian regime and extremist terrorist groups.

5. To impose additional coercive measures on Russia and the government of Syria if they continue to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity in Aleppo and other places in Syria.

6. To undertake bolder diplomatic efforts like the recent condemnation of Russia and the announcement of a dialogue with key regional actors to prepare the ground for a political transition and post-conflict preparations.

7. To demand that Russia stop its military support of the Syrian authorities and extend the short term cease-fire.

8. To impose an arms embargo to all warring parties in the Syrian conflict.

Syria is and will continue to be a broken, war-torn place for years to come, perhaps decades, if the international community doesn’t act more forcefully to stop the conflict. We call upon the international community to increase its support for a solution in Syria and bring the killing to an end.

Brussels, 24 October 2016

Pax Christi International

Iraque: «Cristãos estão a ser perseguidos, yazidis estão a ser eliminados» - Irmã Irene Guia | Agência Ecclesia

Dohuk, Iraque, 21 out 2016 (Ecclesia) - A Irmã Irene Guia disse à Agência ECCLESIA que é necessário “alargar” os destinatários das campanhas de apoio às populações do Médio Oriente, nomeadamente aos yazidis que estão a “ser eliminados”.

“Os cristãos estão a ser perseguidos, mas os yazidis estão a ser eliminados”, afirmou a religiosa, responsável pelos projetos do Serviço Jesuíta aos Refugiados (JRS) no distrito de Dohuk, na Região Autónoma do Curdistão Iraquiano.

A comunidade étnico-religiosa yazidi é constituída por perto de um milhão de pessoas e a maioria vive no Iraque.

Perseguida por diferentes regimes, os yazidis estão a ser alvo de um genocídio desde 2014 por parte do autoproclamado Estado Islâmico.

Para a irmã Irene Guia é “aterrador” o que se está a passar com as mulheres yazidis, que estão a ser alvo de “violações, vendidas em mercados e passadas de mão-em-mão para todo o tipo de abusos”.

“Há algumas mulheres que conseguem fugir ou são compradas e são libertadas. São como escravas readquiridas para a liberdade. São escravas neste mercado de homens”, referiu a religiosa, no Curdistão Iraquiano há um mês. (...)

Para a irmã Irene Guia, as campanhas de apoio aos cristãos perseguidos devem ser desenvolvidas, mas é necessário “alargar os corações e a generosidade”.

“Que as campanhas sejam mais universais e não exclusivamente para os cristãos”, apelou.

“Não podemos ficar com o olhar exclusivo aos nossos quando vemos um povo a ser eliminado e não têm apoios internacionais”, acrescentou a religiosa. (Mais ...)

Agência ECCLESIA

Visita a Lesbos: Declaração conjunta

DECLARAÇÃO CONJUNTA

DE SUA SANTIDADE BARTOLOMEU I,

PATRIARCA ECUMÉNICO DE CONSTANTINOPLA,

DE SUA BEATITUDE HIERONYMOS, ARCEBISPO DE ATENAS E DE TODA A GRÉCIA

E DO PAPA FRANCISCO

Nós, Papa Francisco, Patriarca Ecuménico Bartolomeu e Arcebispo Hieronymos de Atenas e de toda a Grécia, reunimo-nos na Ilha grega de Lesbos para manifestar a nossa profunda preocupação pela situação trágica de numerosos refugiados, migrantes e requerentes asilo que têm chegado à Europa fugindo de situações de conflito e, em muitos casos, ameaças diárias à sua sobrevivência. A opinião mundial não pode ignorar a crise humanitária colossal, criada pelo incremento de violência e conflitos armados, a perseguição e deslocamento de minorias religiosas e étnicas e o desenraizamento de famílias dos seus lares, violando a sua dignidade humana, os seus direitos humanos fundamentais e liberdades.

A tragédia da migração e deslocamento forçados afeta milhões de pessoas e é, fundamentalmente, uma crise da humanidade, clamando por uma resposta feita de solidariedade, compaixão, generosidade e um compromisso económico imediato e prático. Daqui, de Lesbos, fazemos apelo à comunidade internacional para responder com coragem a esta maciça crise humanitária e às causas que lhe estão subjacentes, por meio de iniciativas diplomáticas, políticas e caritativas e através de esforços de cooperação simultaneamente no Médio Oriente e na Europa.

Como líderes das nossas respetivas Igrejas, estamos unidos no nosso desejo de paz e na nossa disponibilidade para promover a resolução de conflitos através do diálogo e da reconciliação. Enquanto reconhecemos os esforços que já se vão fazendo para fornecer ajuda e assistência aos refugiados, migrantes e requerentes asilo, apelamos a todos os líderes políticos para que usem todos os meios possíveis a fim de garantir que os indivíduos e as comunidades, incluindo os cristãos, permaneçam nos seus países de origem e gozem do direito fundamental de viver em paz e segurança. Há necessidade urgente de um consenso internacional mais amplo e um programa de assistência para sustentar o Estado de direito, defender os direitos humanos fundamentais nesta situação insustentável, proteger minorias, combater o tráfico humano e o contrabando, eliminar rotas inseguras como as do Egeu e de todo o Mediterrâneo, e desenvolver procedimentos seguros de reinstalação. Deste modo seremos capazes de ajudar os países diretamente envolvidos na resposta às necessidades de inúmeros irmãos e irmãs nossos que sofrem. De modo particular, afirmamos a nossa solidariedade ao povo da Grécia que, não obstante as suas próprias dificuldades econômicas, tem respondido generosamente a esta crise.

Juntos, solenemente, imploramos o fim da guerra e da violência no Médio Oriente, uma paz justa e duradoura e o regresso honroso daqueles que foram forçados a abandonar as suas casas. Pedimos às comunidades religiosas que aumentem os seus esforços para receber, assistir e proteger os refugiados de todas as crenças, e que os serviços religiosos e civis de assistência se empenhem por coordenar os seus esforços. Enquanto perdurar a necessidade, pedimos a todos os países que alarguem o asilo temporário, ofereçam o estatuto de refugiado a quantos se apresentarem idóneos, ampliem os seus esforços de socorro e colaborem com todos os homens e mulheres de boa vontade para um rápido fim dos conflitos em curso.

Hoje, a Europa enfrenta uma das suas crises humanitárias mais sérias desde o fim da II Guerra Mundial. Para vencer este grave desafio, fazemos apelo a todos os seguidores de Cristo para que tenham em mente as palavras do Senhor, segundo as quais seremos um dia julgados: «Porque tive fome e destes-me de comer, tive sede e destes-me de beber, era peregrino e recolhestes-me, estava nu e destes-me que vestir, adoeci e visitastes-me, estive na prisão e fostes ter comigo. (…) Em verdade vos digo: Sempre que fizestes isto a um destes meus irmãos mais pequeninos, a mim mesmo o fizestes» (Mt 25, 35-36.40).

Da nossa parte, em obediência à vontade de nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo, estamos firme e sinceramente decididos a intensificar os nossos esforços para promover a plena unidade de todos os cristãos. Reafirmamos a nossa convicção de que «a reconciliação [entre os cristãos] envolve a promoção da justiça social dentro e entre todos os povos (...). Juntos, faremos a nossa parte para oferecer aos migrantes, refugiados e requerentes asilo uma receção humana na Europa» (Charta œcumenica, 2001). O nosso objetivo, ao defender os direitos humanos fundamentais dos refugiados, requerentes asilo e migrantes e de tantas pessoas marginalizadas nas nossas sociedades, é cumprir a missão de serviço das Igrejas ao mundo.

O nosso encontro de hoje pretende dar coragem e esperança a quantos procuram refúgio e a todos aqueles que os acolhem e assistem. Instamos a comunidade internacional a fazer da proteção das vidas humanas uma prioridade e a apoiar, em todos os níveis, políticas inclusivas que se estendam a todas as comunidades religiosas. A terrível situação de todas as pessoas afetadas pela atual crise humanitária, incluindo muitos dos nossos irmãos e irmãs cristãos, clama pela nossa oração constante.

Lesbos, 16 de abril de 2016.

Hieronymos II | Francisco | Bartolomeu I

Vatican.va

Pax Christi Internacional: Uma Oração pelo Povo da Síria

Uma Oração pelo Povo da Síria

A Pax Christi Internacional lançou a campanha "Criar sinais de esperança para a Síria", apelando à organização de actos de solidariedade e dias de oração e jejum pela paz na Síria entre 15 e 20 de Março de 2016.

A Pax Christi apela a todos as pessoas e organizações a mostrarem solidariedade com os refugiados e as vítimas da guerra e da violência e a criarem sinais de esperança para que a paz possa voltar novamente à Síria.  (Mais ...)

Postal de oração da Pax Christi Internacional

Este postal de oração pode ser usado como quiser para criar sinais de esperança para a Síria:
- peça à sua paróquia para incluir esta oração nas celebrações eucarísticas do domingo 20 março ou
- organize uma vigília com a sua família e amigos,
- junte-se aos outros que em todo o mundo fazem esta oração diariamente,
- envie as suas próprias orações e mensagens de esperança.

Descarregue o postal de oração da Pax Christi Internacional com maior qualidade aqui e partilhe-o nas suas redes sociais.

Support the beginning of a political process in Syria | Pax Christi

Support the beginning of a political process in Syria

The United Nations will bring Syria’s warring parties together on Monday 25 January 2016 in Geneva to begin talks towards ending nearly five years of conflict.

Pax Christi International is hopeful that the international community will achieve a political and diplomatic solution to the crisis in Syria, putting a long overdue end to the sufferings of the population.

The popular uprising was sparked by a Syrian government crackdown on a pro-democracy movement in early 2011. Islamic State militants have used the chaos and the political gap to seize territory in Syria and Iraq. Some 4.3 million Syrians have fled the country and more than 6.5 million are internally displaced.[1]

World leaders must recognise that there is no military solution in Syria; only a political one is viable. On 18 December 2015, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution[2] endorsing an international roadmap for a Syrian peace process that was agreed among major powers in Vienna earlier that year.[3]

Pax Christi International supports the U.S. Security Council resolution and also urges that:

• the use of banned weapons such as landmines or cluster bombs, and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, be ended immediately;
• all parties immediately stop supplying weapons to fighting factions in Syria;
• a ceasefire that is carefully monitored be put in place as soon as possible;
• humanitarian access to all in need inside Syria be given the highest priority. Starvation as a weapon of war can never be accepted;
• attacks on civilians be stopped at once;
• all sieges by all parties to the conflict be lifted immediately.

These steps should accompany the Geneva negotiations.

The international community must support peace talks towards building a national unity government that comes from within Syria. Unity should be given priority above conflict and division. All parties involved should renew their commitment to ending the violence and re-establishing the unity of the country.

Pax Christi International is hopeful that talks among all stakeholders involved in the conflict will lead to a firm timeline for creating a unity government and will ultimately result in elections.


Now is the Time for Peace

Pax Christi International supports the Caritas Internationalis global campaign 2016 for peace in Syria.[4] The campaign aims to mobilise millions of people around the world to call for an end to the 5 year war that has destroyed Syria, destabilised the region and caused one of the greatest refugee crises in modern times. That campaign comes at the request of national Caritas branches in Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Jerusalem and Lebanon.

Pax Christi International also believe that the donor conference for the Syrian refugees taking place in London on 3 February 2016 is extremely important. The international community must put in place sufficient finances to ensure the reconstruction and development in Syria. While welcoming refugees with dignity and respect abroad, we must work towards a Syria to which they can one day return.

Brussels, 22 January 2016


[1] http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e486a76.html
[2] http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12171.doc.htm
[3] http://www.paxforpeace.nl/publications
[4] http://www.caritas.org/2015/12/message-on-world-day-of-peace-from-syria/

Pax Christi International

Spirit of Sumud - Uma peregrinação à Palestina

Aquece o teu coração, refresca a tua alma e conhece novos amigos na Palestina.

O Arab Educational Institute (AEI), uma organização membro da Pax Christi Internacional, da Palestina, convida os jovens entre os 18 e os 30 anos a participarem numa peregrinação de jovens à Palestina. Esta peregrinação irá ajudá-los a descobrir a terra sagrada da Palestina - a sua cultura colorida, o espírito de sumud (resiliência), a dança dabkeh, e a diversidade ecológica. Os jovens irão ficar no Mosteiro Betharram no coração de Belém, junto com pessoas de todo o mundo.

Para mais informações ver folheto.

Recomendação da Assembleia da República ao Governo para que reconheça o Estado da Palestina em coordenação com a União Europeia

Resolução da Assembleia da República n.º 30/2015

Recomenda ao Governo que reconheça o Estado da Palestinaem coordenação com a União Europeia

A Assembleia da República resolve, nos termos do n.º 5 do artigo 166.º da Constituição, recomendar ao Governo que:
1 - Reconheça, em coordenação com a União Europeia, o Estado da Palestina como um Estado independente e soberano, de acordo com os princípios estabelecidos pelo Direito Internacional.
2 - Em conjunto com os seus parceiros da União Europeia e internacionais, continue a promover o diálogo e a coexistência pacífica de dois Estados democráticos, Israel e Palestina, pois só através de negociações será possível garantir a segurança e a paz naquela região.

Aprovada em 12 de dezembro de 2014.

A Presidente da Assembleia da República, Maria da Assunção A. Esteves.

(Diário da República, 1.ª série — N.º 64 — 1 de abril de 2015)

Líderes cristãos palestinianos pedem que Europa reconheça Estado da Palestina

Mais de uma centena de líderes religiosos, diplomatas e líderes de organizações da sociedade civil, incluindo o ex-Patriarca Latino de Jerusalém, Michel Sabbah, o Arcebispo Atallah Hanna, Patriarca da Igreja Ortodoxa Grega de Jerusalém, e o Bispo Munib Younan, chefe da Igreja Luterana na Palestina e Jordânia e presidente da Federação Luterana Mundial, emitiram uma declaração transmitindo a sua convicção de que "reconhecer o Estado da Palestina nas fronteiras de 1967 é o primeiro passo para uma mudança do status quo actual". Neste sentido, apelam ao mundo inteiro, especialmente à Europa: "De Jerusalém, a nossa capital ocupada, enviamos uma mensagem urgente para o mundo inteiro, especialmente à Europa. Aspiramos à justiça e à paz. Reconhecer a Palestina e assegurar as fronteiras de Israel são o primeiro passo para esse objectivo". (Mais...)