Christian peace groups back support for UN

-10/3/04

Governments must give the UN a chance to do its job without interference, said Hans von Sponeck

Christian peace groups back support for UN

-10/3/04

Governments must give the UN a chance to do its job without interference, said Hans von Sponeck ahead of the Eighth Annual Lobby of Parliament, which aims for a greater alignment of UK foreign policy with the principles of the UN.

Groups supporting the Lobby include the Catholic Agency for Development, Christian CND, Catholic Institute for International Relations, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Pax Christi and Religious Society of Friends.

Hans von Sponeck resigned in 2000 in protest from his post as UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Iraq.

Speaking to the United Nations Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UNA) von Sponeck said: “The public has the right to expect that parliaments ensure that governments honour and respect the independence of the United Nations. It is only then that the United Nations can carry out its mission for peace, justice and freedom for all.”

Organised by UNA, the lobby will take place at Portcullis House, in the House of Commons Annex, next Tuesday, 16 March, between 1:30 and 5:30. Lobby 2004 will focus on three goals:

* increasing democratic input to UK foreign policy

* giving the developing world a greater voice in global decision-making

* taking definitive steps towards global nuclear disarmament

“Were the UK to demand respect for the rule of international law,” said Dennis Halliday, von Sponeck’s predecessor, “all three of [the Lobby’s] policy issues would be addressed.”

Speakers at Lobby 2004 include Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development Gareth Thomas; Deputy-Mayor for London Jenny Jones; Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr Scilla Elworthy; War on Want Executive Director Louise Richards; and Rebecca Johnson, an expert in disarmament issues and senior advisor to Hans Blix.

Source: Independent Catholic News

Christian peace groups back support for UN

-10/3/04

Governments must give the UN a chance to do its job without interference, said Hans von Sponeck ahead of the Eighth Annual Lobby of Parliament, which aims for a greater alignment of UK foreign policy with the principles of the UN.

Groups supporting the Lobby include the Catholic Agency for Development, Christian CND, Catholic Institute for International Relations, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Pax Christi and Religious Society of Friends.

Hans von Sponeck resigned in 2000 in protest from his post as UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Iraq.

Speaking to the United Nations Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UNA) von Sponeck said: “The public has the right to expect that parliaments ensure that governments honour and respect the independence of the United Nations. It is only then that the United Nations can carry out its mission for peace, justice and freedom for all.”

Organised by UNA, the lobby will take place at Portcullis House, in the House of Commons Annex, next Tuesday, 16 March, between 1:30 and 5:30. Lobby 2004 will focus on three goals:

* increasing democratic input to UK foreign policy

* giving the developing world a greater voice in global decision-making

* taking definitive steps towards global nuclear disarmament

“Were the UK to demand respect for the rule of international law,” said Dennis Halliday, von Sponeck’s predecessor, “all three of [the Lobby’s] policy issues would be addressed.”

Speakers at Lobby 2004 include Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development Gareth Thomas; Deputy-Mayor for London Jenny Jones; Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr Scilla Elworthy; War on Want Executive Director Louise Richards; and Rebecca Johnson, an expert in disarmament issues and senior advisor to Hans Blix.

Source: Independent Catholic News