Faith groups in Geneva issue interfaith statement: urgent action toward nuclear weapons abolition

2 hours ago

On May 2, a group of diverse faith-based organizations issued a powerful interfaith statement highlighting the moral and ethical imperatives for the abolition of nuclear weapons, to mark the second session of the 2016 UN Open-ended Working Group taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations (OEWG) being held in Geneva between May 2 and 13.

The statement reads: “Nuclear weapons are incompatible with the values upheld by our respective faith traditions—the right of people to live in security and dignity; the commands of conscience and justice; the duty to protect the vulnerable and to exercise the stewardship that will safeguard the planet for future generations.”

The statement, which was presented to OEWG Chair Ambassador Thani Thongphakdi of Thailand on May 3, urges the working group to focus on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons, for all states to participate in nuclear disarmament efforts in good faith, and the early adoption of a legal framework that will facilitate the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons under strict international control.

PAX, the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist association and the World Council of Churches (WCC) took the lead in drafting the statement, which is titled “Faith Communities Concerned about the Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons.”

http://religionnews.com/2016/05/09/faith-groups-in-geneva-issue-interfaith-statement-calling-for-urgent-action-toward-nuclear-weapons-abolition/