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14-Dec-2005

Worldwide support for missing peace activists

by: Renata Sancken

Norman Kember pictured with CAAT petition

Norman Kember pictured with a Campaign Against Arms Trade petition.
PHOTO: FoR (England) ,

Worldwide: Since the disappearance of Norman Kember, Harmeet Sooden, James Loney, and Tom Fox, the four Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) members who have been taken hostage in Iraq, there has been an outpouring of support for the captives from around the world. All four were in Iraq working for peace, talking with Iraqi people, and have been missing sine 29 November. Among the four is Norman Kember, a British lifelong pacifist (see PN 2468-9).

The Swords of Righteousness Brigade, the Iraqi group claiming responsibility for the kidnapping, believe the four to be spies rather than peace workers and had set 10 December as the day they would kill their prisoners if the Brigade’s demands – of releasing Iraqi prisoners – had not been met. Saturday’s deadline passed without apparent incident and nothing more has been heard from the four or their captors.

The CPT has made a statement directed at the Swords of Righteousness Brigade, asking, “Perhaps you are men who only want to raise the issue of illegal detention. We don't know what you may have endured. As you can see by the statements of support from our friends in Iraq and all over the world, we work for those who are oppressed. We also condemn our own governments for their actions in Iraq. Please, we appeal to your humanity to show mercy on our brothers and let them come back safely to us to continue our work. May God spare our friends, and all the people of Iraq any further suffering."

Many vigils and public actions were held on 10 December - World Human Rights Day - in both commemorations of the day itself as well as in support of the missing activists. Vigils for the missing CPT members have been held in three continents and hundreds of cities, including Auckland, New Zealand; Toronto, Canada; Chicago, USA: Barrancabermeja, Colombia; and Florence, Italy. Candle-lit prayer vigils for Norman Kember were held in London at Trafalgar Square and in Oxford on 12 December.

The Fellowship of Reconciliation is asking for prayers to be said each day at noon for the men’s release.

The CPT has an online petition on their website, and they are also collecting statements of support for the hostages and their friends and family. See http://www.cpt.org/