Sri Lanka

I am still in Geneva. Now working with representatives of the Sri Lankan churches and its international partners working on a strategy, following the 30 years of civil war, for healing and reconciliation. There are so many heart rending stories and such complex needs. The political situation is still very difficult. How to do reconciliation after such terrible things. The churches need their partners more than ever and our open-ended commitment is much appreciated. We will need resources both financial and human from Britain. It is however good to be part of a group of brothers and sisters struggling to fine the way. Steve 21.9.12

Proposals

Today we are trying to formulate a communique and some recommendations for action. Never an easy task!

UN

Now a meeting at the United Nations to present the issues to member of the UN Human Rights Commissions. Muslim members of our group are clear that the problem is misuse and not repeal of the law. Other members are clear the law must be removed. Ways of improving the administration of the law include only allowing senior police officers to register blasphemy cases; involving a religious leader from the religion of the accused at the outset; having a panel of senior judges to hear cases. One speaker has challenged whether it is right that the constitution should discriminate in favour of one religion. He argues it is this which has led to the current religious intolerance and extremism. A human rights lawyer has described the law as dividing his country, that the law is bad for both the majority and minorities. Questions included the relevance of intent in blasphemy; has the law itself given rise to an increase in intolerance; can religious leaders work together in Pakistan to improve the law; has the law had any good effect?

Steve. UN Geneva

Human rights in Pakistan

A member of the Pakistan human rights commission is telling the hearing how 'courts are frightened to hear blasphemy cases' and 'lawyers are afraid to act for defendants'. He is pointing out that human rights violations happen everywhere but in Pakistan there is no judicial system capable of dealing with violations because judges, lawyers, activists, politicians and journalists are all threatened, very often attacked and not infrequently killed when they deal with blasphemy. There are people in this room who have been threatened because of their work for people unjustly accused, including our partners. I am aware that being here is safer for some people than others. We are really struggling to see a realistic way forward. Steve. Tuesday.

Pakistan

Marvin Parvez is making a presentation based on research done by his organisation with the support of Methodist Church Britain. The analysis of cases reveals the disproportionate number of Christians among the 761 people accused in the last 15 years and the way the west has supported the moves away from democracy which have led to these laws. Steve **********************************************************************
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Pakistan

The only Christian woman in parliament in Pakistan is addressing the hearing. She characterises the problem as one of equal rights, it is the weak who are suffering. She also points out that Christians are seen as linked to the west, so many actions of the west have serious consequences for Christians in Pakistan. Steve, Geneva

Not just Pakistan

The moderator of the Church of Pakistan has challenged the international community, saying, 'the misuse of freedom of speech in the West also offer to be checked.' he said the misuse of the blasphemy laws has become a matter of existence for some as well as a human rights issue. He also reminded us that some elements in the Christian community are as fanatical as those in the Muslim community. Steve at WCC

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Pakistan

The general secretary of the World Council of Churches has just opened the hearing on the misuse of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. If asks whether we have a Christian concert of 'enemy'; we have 'neighbour' and we have disagreement but do we have enemy?
he argues that the blasphemy law has little to do with religion. He notes that accusations usually arise from intolerance or malice. WCC has spoken out about this before, but it is our duty to be in solidarity with those Muslims, Hindus and Christians who are suffering injustice, our duty and a sign of hope. The outcome of this hearing is hoped to be helpful action. Steve Pearce in Geneva Monday morning

Disaster being transformed into Reconstruction.

Having visited Haiti regularly since shortly after the earthquake in 2010 expressing the solidarity of the Methodist Church in Britain with the people and church in Haiti, this time I was impressed by how everywhere disaster is being transformed into reconstruction. Thousands of people are still living in tents but the mountains of rubble and streets clogged with people living in tents have largely disapeared. There is a growing sense of order, repair and reconstruction is taking place. These images demonstrates some of the changes. The first is of the "Champ de Mars" shortly after the earthquake followed by the scene today. The next is an image of twisted metal and rubble bound together in a twisted mess the following is of a street full of small traders selling all kings of food and services - with larger business premises in the process of being rebuilt. Finally, The National Palace as it was in 2010 followed by the view of it recently - the chaos for disaster is being torn down giving space for the seeds of pride to germinate and grow afresh.

New Mission Partners in Haiti

John and Sharon Harbottle had just started their work as Mission Partners in Haiti. Both are still very much "finding their feet" improving their French and learning "Creole". The recently held international Partrners Round Table however gave them the best of introduction to meet with as meny people as possible that they will be directly sharing their work with. Sharon as a Christian Education specialist will be working with District and Circuit Staff to develop the Sunday School, Local Preachers and other teaching and devotional materials. In enabling this very demanding job she will be asisted by Wendy Vencus from the United States and Eluine Laporte. John will work with the Health Team of the Methgodist Church in Haiti to srengthen the infrastructure of the clinics, train community health practitioners and organise health campaings in the communities served by the Methodist Churches of Haiti. In doing this books on personal hygene printed on a large commercial printer donoted by the World Mission Fund (Haiti Appeal) will provide support for his ministry. Print Shop director and General Education Secretary Revd Edzaire Paul was overjoyed to be able to demonstrate to us the printer in action. He had worked with staff to find the best value printer on the internet and have it delivered and assembled in Haiti.

Haiti's National Palace being demolished

Good government enhances justice, so I still feel sad when I see Haiti's ruined National Palace. Not that Haiti has often felt justice, but we live in hope and strive for transformation. This week, demolition of the building has proceeded quickly. Soon it will be a memory and something new will take its place.

 

James Hodgson (United Church of Canada)

Untitled

Sarah is a 20 year old Haitian. A very well spoken young woman that the Methodist Church in Haiti has been helping through university with a three year grant. The grant will enable her to complete a diploma in business administration next year. This will enable her to get a better paid job with which she will develop her career and help to rebuild her family home. When the Haiti Earthquake struck in January 2010 the home where she lived with her parents and younger brother,was completely destroyed. Sarah gets up between 3 and 4 in the morning to travel to work and leaves at 5 in the afternoon. With her salary she will also study medicine, she believes that the key to the future of Haiti is through education. "With education we can prepare a generation of parents that will provide the best standards and motivativation for their children to help Haiti develop and grow well in the future. In 2010 the Haiti appeal of the Methodist Church in Britain made a grant to the The Methodist Church Haiti to provide schollarships for 30 young people like Sarah. As I visit with the Methodist Church in Haiti and see what tremendous progress is being made in recovering, the call from our partner is for more support in this way that will have a lasting and permanent effect on the future of Haiti.