Christian peacemakers shown alive in Iraq
-28/01/06
Video footage aired on Arabic TV ne
Christian peacemakers shown alive in Iraq
-28/01/06
Video footage aired on Arabic TV network Al-Jazeera appears to show that four missing Christian Peacemakers in Iraq are still alive.
A new videotape apparently of the four — two Canadians, an American and a Briton working with Ekklesia associates Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) — was aired on the Arabic-language news network today (Saturday), but was dated January 21.
It has not however been confirmed when the footage was shot.
In the video the kidnappers have renewed their threat to kill the four hostages unless U.S.-led forces release Iraqi prisoners.
Al-Jazeera aired the video and read the group’s message that it will provide one “last chance” for its demand — free all Iraqi prisoners under U.S. or Iraqi custody or the four will be executed.
The four were abducted in Iraq on November 26 by kidnappers calling themselves the Swords of Righteousness Brigades.
The four are James Loney and Harmeet Sooden of Canada, Tom Fox of the United States and Briton Norman Kember.
In a statement colleagues of the abducted peacemakers said; We are so grateful and heartened to see James, Harmeet, Norman and Tom alive on the video tape dated January 21. This news is an answer to our prayers. We continue to hope and pray for their release.
“All of us in Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) remain very disturbed by the abduction of our team-mates. We pray that those who hold them will host them with the grace that so many of us in CPT have received as guests in Iraq. James, Harmeet, Norman and Tom are peace workers who have not collaborated with the occupation of Iraq and who have worked for justice for all Iraqis, especially those detained.
“We continue to believe that what has happened to our team-mates is the result of the actions of the U.S. and U.K. governments in their illegal attack on Iraq and the continuing occupation and oppression of its people. We continue to call for justice and human rights for all who are detained in Iraq. The innocent should not suffer in the place of those who have done wrong.
CPT has organized public actions for peace and justice for Iraqi detainees. This weekend major events are scheduled for Washington DC, Toronto and Chicago.
The footage showed a shot of the men standing by a wall and another of them talking while seated. Their voices could not be heard, however.
The British Foreign Office said it was checking the new video, but had no further comment.
Reverend Alan Betteridge, president of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of which Kember, 74, is a member, said he was happy over evidence the four were alive but concerned over the threat against them.
“We are glad to have some evidence that the four captives are still alive but we are very sad that the captors still repeat this threat of killing them that they issued two months ago,” Betteridge, a close friend of Kember, told Reuters by telephone.
“We’re very sorry that they’re still talking in those violent terms after all the appeals from the Muslim world and others for the release of these non-violent peace makers who were in Iraq for the benefit of justice and peace in that land.”
In a message to the captors, Betteridge said “Please, release these four people who are there, genuinely as non-violent peace makers. Please let them return home so they may continue their good work which is for the benefit of people in Iraq and elsewhere.
“It (their work) is not intended to do any harm to anybody.”
[Also on Ekklesia: Updates – FaithInSociety. News excerpts – Young people urged to give peace a PowerPoint 22/01/06; More UK vigils announced for Norman Kember and Iraqi peace activists 21/01/06; Christian Peacemakers in Iraq replace team member as crisis continues 20/01/06; New London vigil for Norman Kember announced; Christians and Muslims show continued support for Norman Kember; Kember supporters urged to keep hope alive; Birmingham inter-faith vigil for Kember and Iraq peace workers; Supporters of Iraq captives reissue media appeals; Muslim envoy may return to Iraq for CPT four; Jill Carroll’s captors issue videotape demands; Peacemaker vigils in Washington and Toronto focus on Iraq policy; Vigils go on for Christian Peacemaker Teams hostages in Iraq; Journalist kidnapped in Iraq as friends pray for peace workers]
Christian peacemakers shown alive in Iraq
-28/01/06
Video footage aired on Arabic TV network Al-Jazeera appears to show that four missing Christian Peacemakers in Iraq are still alive.
A new videotape apparently of the four — two Canadians, an American and a Briton working with Ekklesia associates Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) — was aired on the Arabic-language news network today (Saturday), but was dated January 21.
It has not however been confirmed when the footage was shot.
In the video the kidnappers have renewed their threat to kill the four hostages unless U.S.-led forces release Iraqi prisoners.
Al-Jazeera aired the video and read the group’s message that it will provide one “last chance” for its demand — free all Iraqi prisoners under U.S. or Iraqi custody or the four will be executed.
The four were abducted in Iraq on November 26 by kidnappers calling themselves the Swords of Righteousness Brigades.
The four are James Loney and Harmeet Sooden of Canada, Tom Fox of the United States and Briton Norman Kember.
In a statement colleagues of the abducted peacemakers said; We are so grateful and heartened to see James, Harmeet, Norman and Tom alive on the video tape dated January 21. This news is an answer to our prayers. We continue to hope and pray for their release.
“All of us in Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) remain very disturbed by the abduction of our team-mates. We pray that those who hold them will host them with the grace that so many of us in CPT have received as guests in Iraq. James, Harmeet, Norman and Tom are peace workers who have not collaborated with the occupation of Iraq and who have worked for justice for all Iraqis, especially those detained.
“We continue to believe that what has happened to our team-mates is the result of the actions of the U.S. and U.K. governments in their illegal attack on Iraq and the continuing occupation and oppression of its people. We continue to call for justice and human rights for all who are detained in Iraq. The innocent should not suffer in the place of those who have done wrong.
CPT has organized public actions for peace and justice for Iraqi detainees. This weekend major events are scheduled for Washington DC, Toronto and Chicago.
The footage showed a shot of the men standing by a wall and another of them talking while seated. Their voices could not be heard, however.
The British Foreign Office said it was checking the new video, but had no further comment.
Reverend Alan Betteridge, president of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of which Kember, 74, is a member, said he was happy over evidence the four were alive but concerned over the threat against them.
“We are glad to have some evidence that the four captives are still alive but we are very sad that the captors still repeat this threat of killing them that they issued two months ago,” Betteridge, a close friend of Kember, told Reuters by telephone.
“We’re very sorry that they’re still talking in those violent terms after all the appeals from the Muslim world and others for the release of these non-violent peace makers who were in Iraq for the benefit of justice and peace in that land.”
In a message to the captors, Betteridge said “Please, release these four people who are there, genuinely as non-violent peace makers. Please let them return home so they may continue their good work which is for the benefit of people in Iraq and elsewhere.
“It (their work) is not intended to do any harm to anybody.”
[Also on Ekklesia: Updates – FaithInSociety. News excerpts – Young people urged to give peace a PowerPoint 22/01/06; More UK vigils announced for Norman Kember and Iraqi peace activists 21/01/06; Christian Peacemakers in Iraq replace team member as crisis continues 20/01/06; New London vigil for Norman Kember announced; Christians and Muslims show continued support for Norman Kember; Kember supporters urged to keep hope alive; Birmingham inter-faith vigil for Kember and Iraq peace workers; Supporters of Iraq captives reissue media appeals; Muslim envoy may return to Iraq for CPT four; Jill Carroll’s captors issue videotape demands; Peacemaker vigils in Washington and Toronto focus on Iraq policy; Vigils go on for Christian Peacemaker Teams hostages in Iraq; Journalist kidnapped in Iraq as friends pray for peace workers]