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Cuba: WCC warns against new US government restrictions

New proposals to tighten US economic and humanitarian restrictions on Cuba will adversely effect vulnerable Cuban people, and a recommendation that would isolate the Cuban Council of Churches constitutes "a gross violation of religious freedom and a remarkably aggressive interference in religious matters," the WCC states in a letter addressed to President George W. Bush, issued on 10 July 2006.

Korean missiles launch: WCC writes to churches

On behalf of the World Council of Churches (WCC), which has a two-decades-long record of supporting the peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula, its general secretary Rev. Dr Sam Kobia, today wrote to WCC member churches and the national council of churches in South Korea condemning the test launching of seven missiles, including the long-range Daepodong- missile 2, by the People's Republic of Korea on 4 July 2006.

International Christian bodies welcome adoption of new human rights standards

International church and ecumenical organizations have welcomed the adoption of a new International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, both of which were agreed at the inaugural session of the UN Human Rights Council which concluded in Geneva on 30 June 2006.

Kobia shares ecumenical outlook on economic justice and trade with WTO director

A brief visit by World Trade Organization (WTO) director-general Pascal Lamy to the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on Thursday 29 June gave World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Samuel Kobia an opportunity to share ecumenical concerns on economic justice and international trade, and for Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) board member Richard Fee to present a religious leaders' petition for justice in trade negotiations, with/to the organization.

WCC active at UN Conference to review control of small arms trade

A multi-religious prayer service and a debate on ethical dilemmas in micro-disarmament are being organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) within the framework of the UN Review Conference on the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons taking place in New York from 26 June - 7 July 2006.

Global Christian Forum Europe consultation

Some fifty representatives from a wide range of Christian churches, denominations and organisations in Europe [Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Evangelical, Friends (Quakers), Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Old-Catholic, Orthodox (Eastern and Oriental), Pentecostal, Reformed, Salvation Army] gathered for a consultation from 19 to 22 June 2006, at the invitation of the Continuation Committee of the Global Christian Forum. The meeting was hosted by the Syrian Orthodox Church and took place at their monastery St. Jacob of Sarug in Warburg, Germany.

Ecumenical movement

International Christian bodies look at new UN Human Rights Council with cautious optimism

Five international Christian bodies this week expressed expectation that the newly elected UN Human Rights Council will grant a "truly open space" for NGO participation on behalf of victims of human rights violations, as well as address the shortcomings of its predecessor and bring to completion pending issues, particularly in the field of standard-setting initiatives.