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Dismantle racism now, churches tell UN conference

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Statement
  of the
  Ecumenical
  Caucus
 General Board of Global Ministries delegates at the World Conference Against Racism joined United Methodist and ecumenical colleagues in denouncing racism at a press conference yesterday.

In a statement presented at the conference in Durban, South Africa, the Ecumenical Caucus of several Protestant and Catholic organizations also called for an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories, and the recognition of India's Dalits as victims of racial discrimination. The Caucus also addressed a host of issues overshadowed by the Israel-Palestine conflict and the demand that slavery be recognized as a crime against humanity.

Unlike official US and European reluctance to acknowledge a role in racism, colonialism and slavery, the caucus said churches must admit to taking part in them. The caucus also said that "redress and reparations are due to victims of racism, past and present."

Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu presented the statement, which unequivocally named racism as a sin. "The time to dismantle racism is now," it said.

Representing GBGM at the UN Conference on racism are Executive Secretary for Women and Children Liz Calvin, the Women's Division's Assistant General Secretary for Christian Social Responsibility Lois Dauway, Women's Division Director Mee Sue Park, Executive Secretary for Human Rights and Racial Justice David Wildman, and Women's Division Executive Secretary for Racial Justice Suzanne Ife Williams.

The committee that drafted the statement was chaired by Liberato "Levi" Bautista, the chief executive of the United Nations Office of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Bishop Mvume Dandala of the Methodist Church of South Africa attended the press conference. He heads the World Council of Churches team at the meeting.

The ecumenical caucus stressed the human right to religious freedom, which churches themselves have not always observed, and called for gender-sensitive national and international follow up of the Conferences Program of Action.

September 5, 2001
General Board of Global Ministries
United Methodist Church
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