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Religious leaders, and their respective communities, can act as channels of communication, helping to educate people about the dangers of cluster munitions and prevent future casualties, as well as contribute to the universal signature of the treaty by all countries. These leaders and communities have particular cultural understandings, infrastructures, networks and resources that can unleash urgent common action. By emphasizing their moral authority, these communities can thus be instrumental in confronting violence, presenting alternatives to conflict, and urging reconciliation, peaceful co-existence and humanity.
MULTI-FAITH ACTION
Cambodia: Religious Leaders raise awareness of cluster munitions
Cluster munitions are a daily reality for many people in Cambodia. Internal and external conflict means that millions of these explosives litter the landscape and remain a threat to civilians and development.
| With a Religions for Peace small grant, members of the Cambodian Buddhist community focused their efforts on a munition-affected village called Dom Bae. The goals of the project were to raise awareness of cluster munitions within the general public, to provide risk education about cluster munitions, to promote the cluster bomb treaty among local authorities and to support the rights and abilities of survivors. Read more … |
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FAITH LEADERS TOOL KIT
Religions for Peace has been mobilizing their network of faith leaders around the world to advocate with governments to sign the CCM. Below, you will find documents and resources created to enable people of faith to conduct advocacy for this purpose. These may be adapted for your own work.
‘Cluster Munitions - A Resource Guide for Religions for Peace‘ (2008)
Advocacy Letter (for countries that did not adopt the CCM)
Advocacy Letter (for countries that adopted the CCM)
Guidelines for writing an Op-Ed
STATEMENTS IN SUPPORT OF A BAN ON CLUSTER BOMBS
Faith Leaders Letter, 19 April 2008
Religions for Peace Executive Committee
Holy See, 6 June 2008
Holy See, 26 June 2007
“Cluster bombs are an abomination. They are proof that science and technology can be used for the most nefarious purposes. They are inhuman and have no place in our global village.”
- The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town
“Our faith traditions call us to stand with those who have suffered, and to work for the well-being of the human family through relationships of respect, justice, and peace. I have seen the extreme suffering and harm caused by this weapon in the Balkans and it has led the Bosnian government to announce a moratorium on its production. But we will need to work in solidarity with other nations to guarantee no new victims.”
- HE Dr. Mustafa Ceric, Grand Mufti of Bosnia-Herzegovina
“As a Buddhist monk, I fully support the new international treaty on the prohibition of production, transfer, use and stockpiling of cluster bombs which leave innocent people dead and disabled for the rest of their lives. With my signature on the People’s Treaty, I strongly oppose this type of weapon.”
- Venerable Vibol, Cambodian Buddhist Community
“Part of the mission of Pax Christi International is to share solidarity with the victims, the survivors, their families and affected communities. A cluster munitions treaty should be able to concretely improve the lives of people whose suffering has been caused by cluster munitions.
- excerpted from Pax Christi International on cluster munitions
“Whereas religion is sometimes portrayed as a dividing force, the strong commitment by religious leaders of all traditions to work for a ban on cluster munitions in Dublin is an opportunity to prevent future suffering, eliminate a truly inhumane instrument of war and move nations forward along a path towards peace.”
- Dr. William F. Vendley, Secretary General, Religions for Peace
LINKS
Calendar of Faith-Related Activities
Resources
CONTACT
For more information please contact faith@stopclustermunitions.org