To: The Churches and Christian Councils in Asia

Statement of participants of the 9th Annual Human Rights Training of the Christian Conference of Asia

The Church has a mandate to witness that people are made in the image of God. Therefore, all people are endowed with intrinsic dignity. Respecting their human rights we are affirming the reality of our sacredness. These fundamental rights are a gift from God and are inviolable.

All governments in Asia continue to violate the principles and provisions stated within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Many have also ratified other human rights treaties, yet human rights violations continue. We especially note:

I. In our host country, Indonesia, there have been frequent violations of the freedom of religion, guaranteed by both the constitution of Indonesia and the UDHR, through the closure of churches across the country in recent months;

ii. The systematic killing of activists, ministers, church workers and other advocates involved in the promotion of peace and human rights in the Philippines has reached alarming proportions;

iii. Child prostitution and human trafficking continues to be a major problem in many south East Asian countries;

iv. The world's consumption habits have contributed towards environmental degradation in our countries, resulting in the loss of natural capital, including but not limited to, clean air, clean water, abundant fish stock, forestry products, and fertile soil; and

v. As a result of government policies and unfair laws, unequal distribution of wealth among the people is widening and this results in poverty, crimes and violations of human rights of varying proportions.

vi. Based on the facts presented, the rights of women have been extensively violated throughout the region and are immediate victims of sexual harassment, domestic violence, unequal wages, and mental torture, in their families, workplace, and communities.

Considering the above, and the numerous other violations of human rights in other territories and nations, we the participants of the 9th Annual Human Rights Training of the Christian Conference of Asia, strongly urge that the church in Asia to:

I. Take effective action in ensuring their respective national governments ratify all international conventions that affirm the principles of the UDHR, especially the Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention Against Torture, the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights;

ii. Develop and establish, either within their individual denominations or through their national church councils, a human rights desk, to educate congregations in the importance of human rights and to respond to violations and abuses of human rights;

iii. Heed the exhortation of Jeremiah 22:16 to stand with, and be the voice of the poor, oppressed and marginalised and ensure that the rights of all people irregardless of origin or creed are protected and upheld;

iv. Recognise the need for the people of the Church for participatory involvement, not just in works of mercy, but also in civil society and the political processes of their respective nations, in order to uphold human rights;

v. Take a proactive approach to sustainable development, broadly defined as meeting the economic needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their development needs;

vi. Take strong measures and steps to assist the indigenous people in protecting their land rights and cultural identity; and

vii. Continue to support and encourage the Christian Conference of Asia in organising trainings and outreach programmes to encourage the understanding of human rights and advocacy of justice and peace among the Christian community.

We believe that by taking the steps recommended, the Church in Asia will be moving in the direction that God is calling us to proclaim the Good News and lead the people into the full knowledge of the truth.


Signed,

The Participants of the 9th Annual Human Rights Training
of the Christian conference of Asia
Held on the 10-16 November 2005
Samosir, North Sumatera, Indonesia