Human Rights Church

An invitation to join the conversation!

Christian Albers — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:37:19 +0000

“It has to have US in it” – This is what churches, orders, religious organizations and countless individuals have said when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948, and what they continue to say today as they advocate for human rights of all people.

“It has to have YOU in it” – This is our wish for this website. We are starting a global conversation on the churches involvement in Human Rights. Whether you are an expert, a local activist or someone who never really thought about the connection between human rights and faith before, we invite you to post a comment, write an article or even make a video. You could be a devout Christian, a doubter or not a Christian at all – you are welcome to contribute to this blog.

Tell us:

- What is your experience with the churches and Human Rights? Are you invovled personally or do you know of others who are?

- Why should churches, orders and religious organizations care about Human Rights?

- What is your story about Human Rights or the violation of Human Rights?

Just click here and tell us what you think or read comments posted by othes.

If you want to get more invovled, please contact Emily.Davila AT elca.org. We welcome suggestions for resources, and contributions of other forms of media such as a video, graphics or audio files.

Video Website Launch

Christian Albers — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:09:30 +0000

Lois Dauway

Craig Mokhiber

Dennis Frado

Yesterday, July 8th, marked the launch of this website on churches involvement in Human Rights. On occasion of the launch the Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC) organized a panel discussion with Craig Mokhiber, Deputy Director, NY Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Joel Hanisek, UN Representative of the Presbyterian Church and Lois Dauway, Associate to the Deputy General Secretary, Women’s Division: Global Ministries, United Methodist Church. Also, Christian Albers from the LOWC, was introducing the website with a film compiling some of these remarkable interviews. Dennis Frado, LOWC director was moderating the panel.

While Mokhiber emphasized that Human Rights must be regarded in a holistic view, and not be separated in civil an political on the one and economic, social and cultural rights on the other side, Lois Dauway said that we, the churches should be the “rebel rousers”, those who are picking up dust. Finally Joel Hanisek took up Dauway’s image, saying that he has dust in his eyes when he was approaching the lectern and continued by explaining why and how churches should get involved in Human Rights and what challenges they are facing, mentioning in particular the concept of the “Responsibility to Protect”.

Christian Albers