JourneyOnline
On the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Uniting International Mission expressed concern for Uniting Church international partners still deprived of fundamental rights.
National Director of Uniting International Mission and Uniting Church Overseas Aid Rev Dr Kerry Enright has affirmed the gains made globally in human rights but said he remains concerned about the continued human rights violations reported by church partners globally.
“Uniting Church partners continually remind us of the situations in their communities,” Rev Enright said.
“In the Philippines people are being subjected to harassment and intimidation by the government including the military and police. Those working for fair employment conditions, proper consent processes for mining, and justice for farmers are being threatened and charged with specious offences.
“People in Zimbabwe are facing the most horrific conditions – oppression, cholera, starvation, homelessness and the collapse of basic services.
“In just over a decade people in Kiribati and Tuvalu will need to give up their countries and relocate.
“West Papua has yet to experience the benefits of the Indonesian government’s policy of special autonomy for West Papua.
“Christians in Orissa, North India are being murdered, brutalised and burnt alive because they are Christian.
“In Sudan and other parts of the world, safe drinking water is only just becoming available , but in small ways and slowly.
Dr Enright said the UN Declaration remains a goal to inspire us to hope and action.
“Concerned people acting together can make a difference in addressing such basic rights as a country to call one’s own, the honouring of human dignity, freedom from oppression and the provision of safe water.”
Dr Enright said that there were plenty of opportunities for people to take action and make a difference to the lives of others.
“Something as simple as writing a letter to an MP to highlight a concern, making a gift to a water project, talking with friends about what might be done and naming the desperate needs of close partners in our praying are small yet significant steps,” he said.
“We have an opportunity to live out the commitment our nation made as signatory to a worthy goal yet to be achieved.”
Photo : National Director of Uniting International Mission and Uniting Church Overseas Aid Rev Dr Kerry Enright
