Geneva, 21 January 2014: Church leaders and representatives from Syria, the Middle
East Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches and the Holy See gathered
in Geneva from 15–17 January 2014 for a consultation to address the forthcoming Geneva
II peace conference on Syria.
Christians have maintained a continuous presence
in the land of Syria since the dawn of Christianity. Today, as churches and church-related
humanitarian agencies, we are present with the people of Syria on a daily basis both
inside the country and amongst refugees. In this communication, we seek to raise their
voice, stated a statement released at the end of the three-day meeting.
Our
concern is for all people affected by the indiscriminate violence and humanitarian
calamity in Syria. Innocent children, women and men are being killed, wounded, traumatized
and driven from their homes in uncounted numbers. We hear their cries, knowing that
when “one member suffers, all suffer together with it”, the statement added.
We
call upon you, the statement said, as participants in the Geneva II conference, to: 1.
pursue an immediate cessation of all armed confrontation and hostility within Syria.
We call for all parties to the conflict to release detained and kidnapped persons.
2. Ensure that all vulnerable communities in Syria and refugees in neighbouring
countries receive appropriate humanitarian assistance. 3. Develop a comprehensive
and inclusive process toward establishing a just peace and rebuilding Syria. All sectors
of society need to be included in a Syrian solution for the Syrian people. We recognize
the urgent need to integrate women and young people fully in these processes.
Geneva
II must be transformed into a peace-building process, responding to the legitimate
aspirations of all Syrian people. Hence the statement offered some guidelines: Any
peace-building process must be Syrian-led. It should be transparent and credible so
Syrians may determine their country’s future· All efforts must be made to secure the
peace, territorial integrity and independence of Syria. The multi-ethnic, multi-religious
and multi-confessional nature and tradition of Syrian society must be preserved. The
vibrant mosaic of Syrian society entails equal rights for all of its citizens.
The
statement said: as Christians we speak with one voice in calling for a just peace
in Syria. To achieve this peace, we are committed to working hand-in-hand with Muslim
sisters and brothers, with whom we share a common history along with spiritual and
social values. We seek to work for national reconciliation and healing through building
trust.
Participants came from France, Germany, Italy, Iran, Lebanon, the Netherlands,
Norway, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and USA. Ecumenical partners included the
ACT Alliance, the Community of Sant’Egidio, the Lutheran World Federation, Pax Christi
International, Religions for Peace and the World Student Christian Federation.Source: