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Resolution 3
Human Rights
The Conference regards the matter of human rights and dignity as of capital and universal importance. We send forth the following message as expressing our convictions in Christ for the human family world-wide.
We deplore and condemn the evils of racism and tribalism, economic
exploitation and social injustices, torture, detention without trial and
the taking of human lives, as contrary to the teaching and example of our
Lord in the Gospel. Man is made in the image of God and must not be
exploited. In many parts of the world these evils are so rampant that they
deter the development of a humane society. Therefore,
1. we call on governments to uphold human dignity; to defend human rights,
including the exercise of freedom of speech, movement, and worship in
accordance with the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights; the right
to be housed, freedom to work, the right to eat, the right to be educated;
and to give human value and worth precedence over social and ethnic
demarcations, regardless of sex, creed, or status;
2. we thank God for those faithful Christians who individually and
collectively witness to their faith and convictions in the face of
persecution, torture and martyrdom; and for those who work for and advocate
human rights and peace among all peoples; and we assure them of our
prayers, as in penitence and hope we long to see the whole Church
manifesting in its common life a genuine alternative to the acquisitiveness
and division which surround it, and indeed penetrate it;
3. we pledge our support for those organisations and agencies which have
taken positive stands on human rights, and those which assist with refugee
problems;
4. we urge all Anglicans to seek positive ways of educating themselves
about the liberation struggle of peoples in many parts of the world;
5. finally we appeal to all Christians to lend their support to those who
struggle for human freedom and who press forward in some places at great
personal and corporate risk; we should not abandon them even if the
struggle becomes violent. We are reminded that the ministry of the Church
is to reveal the love of God by faithful proclamation of his Word, by
sacrificial service, and by fervent prayers for his rule on earth.
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