The member churches of the National Council of Churches of Australia today raised concerns about the conflict unfolding in Aceh and called on the Australian Government to make every effort to secure independent human rights monitoring and humanitarian assistance to this region of Indonesia.

Although news from Aceh is limited and independent human rights monitors have been forced into hiding, reports of the massive military campaign in this region are alarming.  They indicate that serious human rights violations are occurring and that a humanitarian disaster is looming.

Many villagers caught up in this conflict have been subject to rights violations including extrajudicial killings, torture, rape, and destruction of schools, houses and even whole villages.  Activists including human rights workers have been put on ‘wanted’ lists and, in some cases, those arrested by the military have ‘disappeared’.  Reports of the displacement of many thousands of people also raise concerns about the humanitarian needs of a population that has few reserves of food and shelter.

The member churches are very concerned about this crisis and pray that the warring parties will end hostilities and return to the negotiating table as soon as possible.

National sovereignty should not be a barrier to international action when human rights abuses are occurring.  For the sake of the Acehnese people, we call for the access of United Nations Human Rights monitors and humanitarian agencies, noting that the UN often operates in such capacities within the borders of sovereign states.

We also support the immediate access of humanitarian NGO’s to assist with provision of food, shelter and medical assistance to those who are being displaced and injured in these military operations.

We call on the Australian government to urge the Indonesian government through all available avenues to accept independent human rights monitoring and humanitarian assistance as a matter of urgency in Aceh.

A group of Sudanese, Ethiopian, Iraqi and Afghanistan refugees, and people from Melbourne church organisations, social justice groups and community support agencies recently went bush to talk about the plight of people seeking asylum in Australia and the struggle for many when they arrive here.

Called Journey on the Wind it was organised by the National Council of Churches in Australia and Hotham Uniting Church Mission, and in co-operation with St Alban’s Anglican Church Temporary Protection Visa Settlement Program, Footscray Anglican Church, and the Good Shepherd Catholic Social Justice Network.

Thousands of people in northwest Victoria participated in the Journey, which involved visits in schools, dinners and story-telling evenings, shopping centre information displays, advocacy workshops and participation in church services.

Coordinator, Caz Coleman, said the Journey brought to life the experiences of people arriving in Australia and the reality of their lives in a new country. It was also a way of advocating for a more just and compassionate reception for asylum seekers who come to Australia.

Journey on the Wind began in Ballarat and people then travelled to Ararat, Stawell, Nhill, Kerang, Echuca, Bendigo, Hamilton, Horsham, Mildura and Swan Hill before winding up in Melbourne.

Sister Stancea Vichie, project worker with the Asylum Seeker Project of the Uniting Church’s Hotham Mission, said the Journey was also a way of supporting the wonderful movement of people in many rural areas who were committed to the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. 

“Australians from rural areas, along with people from urban areas, often join together in different initiatives to support those who come to Australia seeking protection.  Journey on the Wind was an opportunity for all - refugees, asylum seekers, and people from rural and urban areas - to learn from one another and to discover more deeply, our common humanity."

As part of the Journey, well-known Melbourne folk singer-songwriter Suzette Herft performed her heartfelt songs about the world, including a song, Journey on the Wind, especially composed for the Journey.

Journey on the Wind offered participants opportunity for wide-ranging reflection in preparation for Refugee Sunday on 31 August.  A special Refugee Sunday kit is available from Christian World Service – www.ncca.org.au

June 2003
Further information :
Colleen Hodge, Christian World Service, The National Council of Churches in Australia, 379 Kent Street, Sydney 2000
Telephones 02 9299 2215/0419 6852 48, Facsimile 02 9262 4514, Website www.ncca.org.au
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"The primary need of the Iraqi people was security", said the Reverend Dr Nuhad Tomeh, International Coordinator of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) who returned from an inspection visit to Iraq in mid-May. He travelled with a delegation of nine people from church-related relief organisations, including Action by Churches Together (International).

Christian World Service (CWS) Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia is working with ACT to provide essential supplies - the generosity of people to the Joint Emergency Appeal of Christian and Muslim Aid Agencies in Australia will ensure that the ongoing needs of Iraqi people, regardless of race, creed and nationality and without adverse distinction of any kind, are able to be met.

Dr Tomeh went on to report to representatives of church agencies in Amman (Jordan) that "First, security. Second, services - electricity, water - garbage is everywhere. And third, people need to send their children back to school. The schools have been closed, and many have been looted." Parents are afraid to let children go to school by themselves and some stay at school all day because of the security concerns.

Director of CWS's International Programs, Charlie Ocampo, was present at the Amman meeting. He said "security is on the mind of everyone - many people in Baghdad are armed because armories have been looted and buying guns is easy if people have the money. By 7.30pm streets are empty of people because of the lack of security".

Christian-Muslim relations were good and cooperation with each other was ensuring that no harm came to worship places. Interfaith committees in local neighbourhoods established to provide food supplies to Christians and Muslims during the war had helped lay a foundation of goodwill that is being built on.

Unemployment is a major concern in Iraq and more and more people are seeking help in cash or kind. Church leaders are asking for financial aid to meet rising needs and they welcomed the setting up of an MECC office in Baghdad - with the number of non-government organisations operating in Iraq there was urgent need for coordination.

In the northern cities the situation was better but the political and administrative situations were not helping the humanitarian efforts.

The MECC had supported the building of artesian wells in Iraq and continued to supply non-food aid and first aid kits. A health committee of church-members and pharmacists would be established in order to assess the health situation and respond to needs.

People are very worried about the future. "If there is no stable, strong government soon, they are afraid of civil war," said Dr Tomeh.

Following the meeting, Charlie Ocampo visited Gaza in Israel. Returning to Jerusalem he was held for over six hours at the Erez Israeli checkpoint, without explanation, while his passport was checked. "This experience taught me how difficult Palestinian life under occupation must be. I felt my right of movement, with an Australian passport, was infringed."

Tax deductible gifts to the Christian and Muslim Joint Emergency Appeal for Iraq can be made to Christian World Service : Phone 1800 025 10, or here on our Secure Site.

Further information :
Colleen Hodge, Christian World Service, Telephones 02 9299 2215/0419 6852 48
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The member churches of the National Council of Churches in Australia stand ready to assist Australians, Indigenous and others, walk together on the path of peace and reconciliation, the path God calls us to in Jesus Christ.

National Sorry Day and the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation, both of which occur this week, remind us of unfinished business concerning the needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia. Christ calls us to actively work for reconciliation and forgiveness, and to address the hardships and injustices experienced by our Indigenous sisters and brothers.

“Recently our energy for the cause of Reconciliation seems to have died down. It is time to renew our commitment, and move ahead with genuine nation building,” said the Revd John Henderson, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia. “Australia can celebrate great achievements and enviable freedoms. These gifts should give us strength to say “SORRY” for ill-informed, prejudicial and discriminatory acts against the original inhabitants of this land and sea.”

The Spirit calls us to hear and act upon the grievances of Indigenous Australians. We share this country, and owe each other the debt of fair and honest treatment. Injustice and ill treatment must be redressed wherever possible. We dare not abandon the unfinished business of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The task is hard and long, and we all grow weary on the journey, but work must continue on the outstanding issues. Only then can we build a better country for all Australians as a single humanity under God.

For further information contact :

• The Revd John Henderson - General Secretary – NCCA
  Tel: (02) 9299 2215
• Graeme Mundine – Executive Secretary National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Council
  Tel: (02) 9299 2215 or 0419 238 788

27 MAY - 3 JUNE 2004

RECONCILIATION: FOR THE HEALTH OF THE NATION

Reconciliation means facing up to racism.
Reconciliation means letting Indigenous peoples have a say in their future.
Reconciliation means self-determination and human rights for Indigenous peoples. 
Reconciliation means better health, housing, education and employment outcomes.
Reconciliation means a healthier nation.

The Indigenous peoples of Australia are a blessing to the land and waters of this country.  Their unique continuing culture and tradition of land custodianship are fundamental to the health of the nation.  But sadly, there is a deep chasm which lies between the First Peoples of this country and the rest of the population.

It is more than poor health outcomes; although we must acknowledge the serious nature of the fact that the life expectancy of Indigenous Australians is 20 years below the national average.  It is more than poor housing, education outcomes and income levels.  It is more than the still prevalent racism.

The deep chasm exists because we are still to resolve the fundamental injustices which have created these conditions for Indigenous peoples.  Despite countless inquiries and reports, recommendations to address these fundamental and foundational issues remain unimplemented. 

Why have similar nations like Canada and New Zealand closed the 'health gap' between their first peoples and the rest of their population, while Australia has not?  Treaties, human rights and policies of self-determination have provided a framework for achieving better health outcomes in those nations.

In Australia, reconciliation needs to go further than the memory of a million "bridge walkers" and "sorry signers".   As the recent Senate Inquiry into Reconciliation suggests, we need national leadership to redress injustice and deal with disadvantage. 

For the health of the nation and the health of Indigenous people we must all put reconciliation back on the agenda. 

Faith Communities for Reconciliation are
The Anglican Church of Australia, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Baptist Union of Australia, Buddhist Community in Australia, Churches of Christ, Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Hindu Community in Australia, Liberal Catholic Church, Lutheran Church of Australia, Religious Society of Friends, Roman Catholic Church, Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha¡', The Salvation Army, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Uniting Church in Australia, National Council of Churches in Australia, World Conference on Religion and Peace.

What Can You Do?

As a person of faith committed to reconciliation you can:

• actively ensure that the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation is observed well in your faith community
• encourage your faith community
  • to make commitments for reconciliation     
  • to participate in services of worship, camps and conferences in which Indigenous and non-indigenous people will share
  • erect plaques on buildings recognising the traditional owners of the land
  • establish programs to assist Indigenous economic empowerment and employment
  • promote cultural awareness and understanding
• redress racism and disadvantage in its own structures
• participate in community campaigns to
  • support Indigenous rights and redress Indigenous disadvantage
  • seek changes in education which better reflect Indigenous culture and our shared history
  • erect memorials and monuments in recognition of the true history
  • encourage the development of agreements between local government bodies and Indigenous people
  • improve the delivery of health services for Indigenous people

The Week of Prayer for Reconciliation is an initiative of faith communities in Australia committed to a just reconciliation with Indigenous people. It is part of the wider process of reconciliation, which has been going on since 1991. The Week of Prayer begins on 27 May, the date of the 1967 Commonwealth Government Referendum which acknowledged the rightful place of Indigenous people in the Australian population, and ends on 3 June, the anniversary of the historic Mabo decision of the High Court of Australia, recognising the pre-existence of native title to land in Australia.

The people of Australia are responding quickly and generously to the Joint Emergency Appeal of Christian and Muslim Aid Agencies. The National Council of Churches' Christian World Service Commission and Muslim Aid Australia, with eight other agencies, launched the appeal at the end of March.

There is a desperate need for ongoing support for the people of Iraq.

Good news is that the first official shipment of emergency relief items arrived safely in Iraq, although at the time the border was officially closed. Edward Esho, the representative of the Middle East Council of Churches in Iraq, met the relief truck on the border between Syria and Iraq - he was not allowed to cross the border and meet with colleagues. Blankets and canned food have been distributed through churches and mosques and there are plans to send medicines in urgently.

The Middle East Council of Churches, a member of the global alliance Action by Churches Together (International), and the Red Crescent Movement, will continue to provide food and other relief to displaced families around Baghdad, Kirkuk, Mosul and Basra, purchasing supplies locally or bringing them into Iraq by truck. Fifty centres have been equipped with wells or water storage facilities, and are being used by families who have fled from dangerous areas.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees is seeking help of the MECC staff in providing food for refugees. Staff have also facilitated trucks coming from Greece loaded with food, water and medicine.
Some food is still available at local markets but stocks are dwindling and priced out of the reach of most people. Many households have already run out of food, and shortages of fresh and protein-rich foods threaten to worsen malnutrition, which is already rife.

The need remains great inside Iraq and for Iraqis in neighbouring countries, particularly Syria and Lebanon.

Tax deductible gifts can be made via Telephone or Secure Site

Christian World Service 1800 025 101 www.ncca.org.au
Muslim Aid Australia 1800 100 786 www.muslim-aid.org.au
AngliCORD 1800 249 880
Uniting Church Overseas Aid 1800 998 122
Australian Lutheran World Service 02 6021 5329
Churches of Christ Overseas Aid 08 8212 4446
Caritas Australia 1800 024 413
Anglican Board of Mission 1300 302 663
Assyrian Church of the East 02 9610 8680
Greek Orthodox Church 02 9698 5066

Further information :
Colleen Hodge, Christian World Service, Telephones 02 9299 2215/0419 6852 48
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A joint statement by Australian civil society groups (released 11 April 2003)

We the undersigned groups represent the interests and aspirations of millions in the Australian community. Our areas of expertise and engagement cover diverse constituencies and themes including aid and development, environmental protection and restoration, faith and religion, service provision and advocacy, multicultural Australia, indigenous Australia, trade unionists, working people and social justice.

We view war and military conflict as a failure of both political will and our social contract and primary responsibility to protect human life and the wider environment.

We are committed to work towards a just and lasting peace to follow the current conflict. We support a mediated resolution under the auspices of the United Nations.

Continued fighting at this stage, possibly away from the wider worlds attention and awareness, would only result in further military and civilian death and injury and unacceptable damage to the infrastructure needed to sustain life. It is time for cooperation and dialogue to take the place of conflict and loss.

We believe that the United Nations has the most legitimate and duly empowered mechanisms to facilitate a just peace and we support a UN administered transition process. We urge the Coalition nations to accept and support a UN mandated transitional authority and actively support UN reconstruction efforts.

The Coalition nations, as participants in a military action that has lacked international sanction and support, have a particular responsibility in relation to the future of post-conflict Iraq. Reconstruction efforts should urgently address the human suffering and displacement caused by the conflict as well as the infrastructure needs of the Iraqi population and the issues of environmental repair.

The reconstruction of Iraq is an urgent and complex task and must be approached in an integrated fashion to provide real and lasting outcomes for post conflict Iraq. It is imperative that this process does not become a competitive and unseemly push for contracts on the part of private corporations and nation states. Supporting and rebuilding communities shattered by mistrust and war is a true international challenge, not an opportunity for profit amidst the rubble. Along with the importance of repairing and restoring the physical infrastructure is the urgent need to support and build robust and transparent political institutions and a vibrant and inclusive political culture in Iraq. As civil society organisations whose members play a vital role in ensuring this in Australia we strongly support a primary role for the UN and its agencies in this process in the difficult times that lie ahead.

The Beyond War signatories include:

National Council of Churches in Australia
Australian Council for Overseas Aid
Australian Conservation Foundation
Australian Council of Social Service
Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia Australian Council of Trade Unions

In March in the districts on either side of the Save River's mouth in Mozambique, it hadn't rained in a year and a half. Hundreds of families had lost all their crops for the years 2002 and 2003. Because of drought they are starving. The Christian Council of Mozambique, one of our Christmas Bowl partners, was distributing emergency food - corn, beans, oil.

Then in March, a monstrous cyclone named Japhet hit the coast, with winds and horrendous rains, drowning the parched ground in floods. Japhet was one of Noah's sons on the ark, who survived that 40-day deluge. But for people who survived this flood with Japhet's name, their life which was wretched is now even worse. Cyclonic rains came much too late and heavy to do good. This year's corn died long ago. Instead, eroding torrents stripped soil from fields and left salt water. They gouged out roads and left hundreds of families stranded for weeks.

For the past year these people had been eating wild roots, wild fruits, leaves scrounged in the bush - but Japhet covered these under tons of water, and when earth dried many of the wild plants that the people had depended on were spoiled - inedible or dead. For many days food aid did not come. Then for a time it had to come by boat across the flood-land.

Japhet's winds tore away thatch roofs and knocked down walls of stick houses. A quarter of a million people were affected. Most now no longer have houses. At least drought doesn't take your home away. Japhet's floods have receded. The ground is green now - with tree leaves, savannah grass - but not with anything that humans can eat.

Japhet wrecked more than 3,000 houses, 9 water wells and 32 fishing nets. Hundreds of goats, a thousand chickens and ducks, eight cows perished - families' entire capital. 297 families fled their homes, and set up stick-and-plastic shelters under trees on higher ground. With no houses nor dry firewood, they couldn't even prepare the corn and beans supplied to feed them. They cooked communally, sharing fires and huge kettles.
Families who were being fed since the drought made their way through the soaking land to a central distribution point to collect beans and corn and oil - mostly women with children, and some older, older, frailer adults - as always, the most vulnerable in Mozambican society.

Elias Samissone is one of the old ones. He doesn't know how old he is. He worked in South African gold-mines but retired back to Govuro, though now he has no family here. Govuro's climate lately, he said, is the worst he has known. 'Because of the drought we had to go into the bush to look for food we don't normally eat. After that was the cyclone, my house was broken in pieces, now I'm living in a shelter next to where my house was.'
Almost everyone here depends largely on farming to survive. With global climate change, disasters like drought, flood, and cyclones look more and more a part of their future. They need different, more drought-resistant crops - cassava, pineapple, sweet potato. The Christian Council of Mozambique will help with this. But it's hard when you've grown a few staple crops for generations, crops that you know and are used to.
Geraldo Chale from CCM says: "Life in this region can be tough, and every day is more unpredictable. But people here are strong and determined, and we are doing what we can. We want to help and show God's love, and with his grace we can still make a difference."

Further information and photograph:

Colleen Hodge, Christian World Service, Telephones 02 9299 2215/0419 6852 48
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Safety, health and daily bread
By Jonathan Frerichs

Action by Churches Together (International) Press Offices Baghdad, April 30, 2003 -- What does Baghdad need right now? Three things, a cross section of Iraqis and foreigners here say.

Number one on almost everyone's list is security. Nightly gunfire and daily incidents and rumors co-exist with an increasingly busy street life. Chaotic traffic intersections are one reminder that no one is in charge. U.S. soldiers who rarely leave their razor wire outposts are another. Most public order here stems from the good behavior of citizens, as it must in any society, but there is no apparent law enforcement to deter bad behavior. The few Iraqi police back on the streets can be seen standing together on corners. They are reportedly still fearful of working alone.

The number two problem depends on who you are. If you are a person of any means - from informal taxi drivers in dilapidated cars to factory owners and professional people - the answer is "salaries," "some income" or "a pay check." Almost no one in Iraq has been paid, it seems, since before the war. The U.S. authorities here are planning a one-time payment of about $20 for every civil servant as a stopgap measure for one month until they can re-establish payroll lists for ministries that were bombed, looted and burned. Those in business for themselves say business is poor.

Put more generally, this category comes down to food. Household rations stockpiled before the war from extra rations are dwindling. There is a humanitarian vacuum two, four or six weeks ahead if those rations run out before wages and salaries begin to flow. The bare minimum requirement is re-starting or replacing the oil-for-food nationwide ration system, a task weighing heavily on U.S. and U.N. minds.

For the most vulnerable people in Iraq, however, and for the aid workers trying to assess their needs, Iraq's number three challenge is chronic disease and its cousin, chronic malnutrition. Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of mothers and children are affected. Their needs are dramatic but largely invisible beyond their communities. Their predicament cannot compete for attention with most headlines about Iraq.

"This is serious, but fixable," said a veteran among the small group of aid workers with long experience here. Iraq has seen and survived adversity before, she and others note. "All that is needed is a little clear thinking and authorities - military and civilian - who live up to their responsibilities toward the public," she said.

All three needs are related. Those who can help solve disease and sanitation problems cannot work without security. Those who need daily bread require public safety.

North of Baghdad, these needs are generally less acute. South of Baghdad, they may be more acute, overall. But most communities did not have looting like the cities of Baghdad, Basra and Mosul. While much food and medical aid is urgently needed, the health ministry began operations again this week and prospects for this year's wheat harvest are good.

Further information and photograph:
Colleen Hodge, Christian World Service, Telephones 02 9299 2215/0419 6852 48
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Reconciliation - It's Not Hard to Understand

STATEMENT FROM FAITH COMMUNITIES FOR RECONCILIATION

Reconciliation is a theme running through each of our Faiths. It is not hard to understand. It is part of the stuff of our living with one another. Reconciliation is both personal and political; local and national. At a personal level we need to take deliberate steps to reach out across the barriers of difference and injustice. We need to act locally, seek justice and meet the pain of our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

Over the last 12 years, we have begun to cross the barriers erected over two centuries between Indigenous Australians and others. During this time many of us have had conversations across the barrier for the first time in our lives. We have met people with the same hopes and fears as ours. Others have developed a much deeper understanding of how life appears from the viewpoint of the other. Many have taken some steps to redress the injustices with which Indigenous people battle all the time. Even simple acts of solidarity like walking together across a bridge have been important steps towards reconciliation.

At this time it is important that we do not lose the momentum that has been built up. In particular we need to keep on meeting and talking and planning together to remove the continuing injustices in our society. There is still enormous pain, frustration and anger in the Indigenous community about the "unfinished business" of land rights, native title, combating racism and seeking redress for the stolen generations.

What is the unfinished business between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians? What remains to be done by faith communities in Australia ? What are the broader issues on which we need to push local, State and Federal Governments?

We need to work together, personally and communally, in our local and national communities, to meet the pain and distress of our Indigenous brothers and sisters if we are to be truly reconciled.

Reconciliation Week is a time for thinking about and acting on our commitment to work together on the unfinished business that remains between us.

The Week of Prayer for Reconciliation is an initative of faith communities in Australia committed to a just reconciliation with Indigenous people. The Week of Prayer begins on 27 May, the date of the 1967 Commonwealth Government Referendum which acknowledged the rightful place of Indigenous people in the Australian population, and ends on 3 June, the anniversary of the historic Mabo decision of the High Court of Australia, recognising the pre-existence of native title to land in Australia.

Faith Communities for Reconciliation are The Anglican Church of Australia, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Baptist Union of Australia, Buddhist Community in Australia Churches of Christ, Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Hindu Community in Australia, Liberal Catholic Church, Lutheran Church of Australia, Religious Society of Friends, Roman Catholic Church, Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'i, The Salvation Army, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Uniting Church of Australia, National Council of Churches in Australia, World Conference on Religion and Peace.

Information : Colleen Hodge - Education and Public Relations
Christian World Service - The National Council of Churches in Australia
Telephones 02 9299 2215/0419 6852 48 - Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.