Policy Areas - Peace and War

Activists arrested while opposing NATO "hypocrisy"

staff writers — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:54:12 +0000

Six members of the nonviolent campaigning group Trident Ploughshares have been arrested after blocking the entrance to a meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly at Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Canadian peacemaker and ex-hostage returns to Iraq

agency reporter — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:14:25 +0000

Harmeet Singh Sooden, who came to international attention when he was held hostage with other peacemakers in 2005, has joined an international human rights delegation travelling to Iraqi Kurdistan this month.

US Christian leaders urge Obama, "build, don't destroy" in Afghanistan

staff writers — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:58:04 +0000

Over a dozen church leaders in the United States are urging a new strategy for Afghanistan on President Barack Obama, based on a "a humanitarian and development surge" rather than military might.

An open letter to Barack Obama on Afghanistan

Jim Wallis — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:37:03 +0000

America can either tolerate constant and crippling conflict, or recognise that the yearning for peace is universal, and strengthen its resolve to end conflicts around the world, say US Christian leaders, echoing President Obama's words back to him. They are calling for a new approach to Afghanistan based on "a humanitarian and development surge".

World churches push for full investigation over Gaza war crimes

agency reporter — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:29:20 +0000

The World Council of Churches has asked the UN Secretary-General to make sure that recommendations of a key report about war crimes during the conflict are properly followed up.

Palestinian families harassed in South Hebron

agency reporter — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:21:45 +0000

Israeli settlers in the South Hebron Hills of the West Bank have been harassing a Palestinian family walking home, then beat and robbed two peace workers who accompanied them.

Celebration as judge acquits anti-nuclear campaigners

staff writers — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:28:55 +0000

Four anti-nuclear activists who took part in a mass protest at the Aldermaston nuclear base have been found not guilty of obstructing the highway after the prosecution failed to improve that they were even on the highway, let alone obstructing it.

BAE boss shocks audience with dismissive comment on Nimrod deaths

staff writers — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:38:17 +0000

The head of the multinational arms company BAE Systems has provoked criticism with a dismissive comment about the Haddon-Cave Report into the deaths of 14 members of the UK armed forces in a Nimrod aircraft.

WCC seeks resumption of talks on North Korea nuclear programme

agency reporter — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:04:30 +0000

The World Council of Churches has urged the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to hold bilateral talks within the context of resumed Six-Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear programme.

Re-arrest of "deserter" sparks civil liberties fears

staff writers — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:04:29 +0000

Joe Glenton, a British soldier who refused to return to Afghanistan after developing a principled opposition to the war, has been re-arrested and charged with five more offences following his part in an anti-war demonstration.

Armistice service remembers civilians as well as soldiers among war dead

staff writers — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:52:26 +0000

A special Armistice Day service at Westminster Abbey on 11 November, attended by the Queen and leading public figures, remembered the civilians who have died in war as well as soldiers, following calls for change in Remembrance ceremonies.

Inquiry into why so many ex-armed forces personnel end up in prison

staff writers — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:08:51 +0000

The Howard League for Penal Reform has today (Wednesday, 11 November) announced an independent inquiry into former armed service personnel in prison.

The Berlin Wall and the call to overcome violence

Konrad Raiser — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:03:52 +0000

The churches contributed to the peaceful revolution in central and eastern Europe as well as to the ending of the apartheid regime in southern Africa, says Konrad Raider. Now the ecumenical movement has accepted the challenge to overcome violence as its special vocation.

Politicians and generals struggle with public opinion over Afghanistan

staff writers — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:56:32 +0000

Politicians and generals have been struggling to justify the Afghan war after a poll revealed the extent of public opposition. They have put forward different, and at times contradictory, arguments for keeping UK troops in Afghanistan.

UK poll shows clear popular support for a different kind of Remembrance

staff writers — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:10:36 +0000

As people across Britain gather on Remembrance Sunday to recall those lost in war, a remarkable opinion poll published today shows a strong public desire for an emphasis on peace in these ceremonies.