WCC general secretary urges people to ‘stand up for children in war’
[World Council of Churches] World Council of Churches general secretary the Rev. Jerry Pillay expressed support for the “Stand up for Children in War” campaign, which runs through the International Day of Peace, Sept. 21.
“My heart is with the over 473 million children who live in conflict zones, facing cruel and ongoing violations of their most basic rights, and of their God-given human dignity,” said Pillay. “I think especially of the 48.8 million children displaced by armed conflict and violence, many of them now without parents, vulnerable to trafficking and abuse.”
The suffering borne by children in conflict situations around the world is intolerable and unacceptable, Pillay said, and that grave violations against children have increased by 25% over the last 30 years.
“People of faith have a key role to play in demanding the protection of children in war, ensuring humanitarian access and assistance to conflict-affected communities, and insisting on accountability for all violations – especially those impacting children and their futures – as a matter of fundamental moral responsibility as well as legal obligation,” he said.
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