Action Alert
http://presbyterian.typepad.com/peacemaking/2010/06/action-alert-madagascars-government-targets-the-church-.html
June 01, 2010
Action Alert – Madagascar's Government Targets the Church
From Presbyterian World Mission's Office on Africa
Pastor Ranaivo Rivo Arson of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar
(FJKM) was shot and fatally wounded by Malagasy soldiers on Thursday,
20 May, when pastors were trying to hold a worship service to pray for
peace in the troubled nation. A second FJKM pastor, Pastor Valisoa
Rafanonerantsoa, was physically assaulted and detained. Read more.
The attack occurred amidst growing tensions in the Malagasy security
forces between military factions who toppled Madagascar's
democratically elected government on 17 March 2009 and those who wish
to see a restoration of constitutional rule. Church leaders have
demanded respect for human rights and a return to the rule of law.
The Religious Leaders' Movement, which was formed to promote these
objectives, has been holding regular prayer services for peace. On
Friday, the Movement was preparing to hold a service at a public place
near a military camp where a group of military police was refusing to
obey the current government. Soldiers loyal to the government arrived
on the scene and began launching grenades and firing automatic
weapons. At least four people, including Pastor Rivo Arson, were
killed and about 15 wounded. At least five people were detained,
including Pastor Valisoa.
The Church's outspokenness has attracted the government's wrath. A
number of the Movement's leaders have gone into hiding following
threats that more clergy will be arrested. The FJKM has become a
particular target, in part because of its close ties with the deposed
President, Marc Ravalomanana. Shortly after the attack, government
forces closed down the FJKM radio station, Radio Fahazavana, removing
broadcasting equipment, sealing the premises and jailing seven
journalists and technicians. Two more people associated with the
station, including Pastor Tiburce Soavinarivo, were subsequently
detained.
The FJKM responded with a letter in which it urges people to remain
calm, to have mutual respect, and to listen to one another: "For God
is not a God of confusion but of peace" (I Cor. 14:33). On 25 May, it
held a special worship service to pray for peace and justice and has
encouraged pastors to hold similar services across the island.
Madagascar's de facto government, which calls itself the High
Authority of the Transition (HAT), has become increasingly erratic
since seizing power in March 2009. Twice Andry Rajoelina, HAT's
leader, has agreed to peace deals at multi-party talks brokered by the
African Union and the Southern African Development Community. Twice
he has repudiated these agreements after signing them. The economic
advances and infrastructural development achieved under democracy have
crumbled. Essential freedoms are under attack. There are reports of
growing corruption in the public sector.
The African Union has imposed targeted sanctions on the regime,
freezing the assets and travel privileges of members of the government
and other supporters of the regime. The United States had joined many
other countries in cutting off economic assistance to Madagascar
(including the withdrawal of benefits under the Africa Growth and
Opportunity Act).
If you are concerned about human rights, democratic participation and
the attacks on the church in Madagascar, please pray for peace and
justice for all of Madagascar's people. In addition, please share
your concerns with your members of Congress. You may also wish to
contact Mr. James Liddle, the State Department Desk Officer
responsible for Madagascar (Tel: 202-647-5652).
Please ask them:
• To condemn unambiguously attacks on the church and church leaders
in Madagascar;
• To call for the release of all political prisoners, including the
detained pastors and Radio Fahazavana personnel;
• To work vigorously for the restoration of democracy and the rule
of law in Madagascar;
• To impose targeted sanctions on officials of Madagascar's illegal
regime, as proposed by the African Union;
• To work for a global ban on the provision of military assistance
to the coup d'état government.
Learn about Presbyterians in ministry with the people of Madagascar.
Posted by Mark Koenig at 09:36 AM in Advocacy, Human Rights, Justice,
Peace, Prayer | Permalink
June 01, 2010
Action Alert – Madagascar's Government Targets the Church
From Presbyterian World Mission's Office on Africa
Pastor Ranaivo Rivo Arson of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar
(FJKM) was shot and fatally wounded by Malagasy soldiers on Thursday,
20 May, when pastors were trying to hold a worship service to pray for
peace in the troubled nation. A second FJKM pastor, Pastor Valisoa
Rafanonerantsoa, was physically assaulted and detained. Read more.
The attack occurred amidst growing tensions in the Malagasy security
forces between military factions who toppled Madagascar's
democratically elected government on 17 March 2009 and those who wish
to see a restoration of constitutional rule. Church leaders have
demanded respect for human rights and a return to the rule of law.
The Religious Leaders' Movement, which was formed to promote these
objectives, has been holding regular prayer services for peace. On
Friday, the Movement was preparing to hold a service at a public place
near a military camp where a group of military police was refusing to
obey the current government. Soldiers loyal to the government arrived
on the scene and began launching grenades and firing automatic
weapons. At least four people, including Pastor Rivo Arson, were
killed and about 15 wounded. At least five people were detained,
including Pastor Valisoa.
The Church's outspokenness has attracted the government's wrath. A
number of the Movement's leaders have gone into hiding following
threats that more clergy will be arrested. The FJKM has become a
particular target, in part because of its close ties with the deposed
President, Marc Ravalomanana. Shortly after the attack, government
forces closed down the FJKM radio station, Radio Fahazavana, removing
broadcasting equipment, sealing the premises and jailing seven
journalists and technicians. Two more people associated with the
station, including Pastor Tiburce Soavinarivo, were subsequently
detained.
The FJKM responded with a letter in which it urges people to remain
calm, to have mutual respect, and to listen to one another: "For God
is not a God of confusion but of peace" (I Cor. 14:33). On 25 May, it
held a special worship service to pray for peace and justice and has
encouraged pastors to hold similar services across the island.
Madagascar's de facto government, which calls itself the High
Authority of the Transition (HAT), has become increasingly erratic
since seizing power in March 2009. Twice Andry Rajoelina, HAT's
leader, has agreed to peace deals at multi-party talks brokered by the
African Union and the Southern African Development Community. Twice
he has repudiated these agreements after signing them. The economic
advances and infrastructural development achieved under democracy have
crumbled. Essential freedoms are under attack. There are reports of
growing corruption in the public sector.
The African Union has imposed targeted sanctions on the regime,
freezing the assets and travel privileges of members of the government
and other supporters of the regime. The United States had joined many
other countries in cutting off economic assistance to Madagascar
(including the withdrawal of benefits under the Africa Growth and
Opportunity Act).
If you are concerned about human rights, democratic participation and
the attacks on the church in Madagascar, please pray for peace and
justice for all of Madagascar's people. In addition, please share
your concerns with your members of Congress. You may also wish to
contact Mr. James Liddle, the State Department Desk Officer
responsible for Madagascar (Tel: 202-647-5652).
Please ask them:
• To condemn unambiguously attacks on the church and church leaders
in Madagascar;
• To call for the release of all political prisoners, including the
detained pastors and Radio Fahazavana personnel;
• To work vigorously for the restoration of democracy and the rule
of law in Madagascar;
• To impose targeted sanctions on officials of Madagascar's illegal
regime, as proposed by the African Union;
• To work for a global ban on the provision of military assistance
to the coup d'état government.
Learn about Presbyterians in ministry with the people of Madagascar.
Posted by Mark Koenig at 09:36 AM in Advocacy, Human Rights, Justice,
Peace, Prayer | Permalink