Holy See: Address to U.N. Panel on Prohibition of Landmines

Antipersonnel Devices Assailed as "Vile, Murderous and Useless"

GENEVA, FEB. 15, 2004 (Zenit) - Here is the address that Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, delivered at the first meeting of the Permanent Committee of Experts of the Convention on the Prohibition of Antipersonnel Mines, held from Feb. 9-12.

* * *

Allow me, Madam Co-Chair, to briefly address the issues of assistance to the victims of antipersonnel mines and, in particular, of their indispensable reintegration in a normal socioeconomic life. In Asia and Africa I have personally seen the ravages caused by antipersonnel mines on the bodies of fleeing refugees and of working women and men in border villages. Such mines are a source of inhuman suffering.

The Holy See gives capital importance to the Ottawa Convention, to its implementation as a means of prevention and to its requirement to assist the victims of these dreadful weapons. In fact, the central point of the convention is preventing that persons may become innocent victims of this vile, murderous and useless arm. And when there has been the lack of knowledge, of ability or of will to take political decisions or practical measures to prevent production and dissemination of antipersonnel mines, national authorities and the international community have no right to avoid their respective responsibility for a comprehensive treatment of the tragic consequences mines cause.

We must not make the victims of mines victims also of oblivion and discrimination or victims of a condescending type of assistance. Mines victims are citizens and full members of their community. They have the right to be effectively associated in the elaboration and implementation of both rehabilitation and socioeconomic reintegration policies. A practical understanding of solidarity implies that special attention should be granted to those men and women who need it so that in turn they may play an active role in promoting a pacified and fraternal humanity.

Victims of antipersonnel mines are innocent witnesses of a wrong approach to security. A large number of countries have realized that antipersonnel mines, besides their inhuman and devastating effects in the long run, are a useless arm. They give the illusion of an artificial security. In most cases the citizens of the country that employs this arm are those who suffer most its disastrous consequences. The universalization of the convention is the recognition that the suffering and the broken lives of the victims are by far a price too high for a semblance of security. For this reason, on the agenda of the forthcoming first review conference of the convention in Nairobi the plight and a program of assistance to victims of antipersonnel mines should take a prominent place in the reflection.

It must be acknowledged that substantial progress has been achieved in this area. Millions of mines have been destroyed. States, volunteers and faith-communities have provided invaluable assistance to maimed and traumatized victims. Much remains yet to be done, Madam Co-Chair. The greatest risk is the temptation of discouragement before the enormity of the task. Neither the destruction of the stocks nor de-mining challenges should make us forget the victims who will need a sustained national commitment and an always renewed international solidarity for some long years.

Healing entire populations of the consequences of war and armed conflicts, especially the people that have been most affected and victimized, is the best investment in building up true security and a durable peace.

Contact

Catholic Online
https://www.catholic.org CA, US
Catholic Online - Publisher, 661 869-1000

Email

info@yourcatholicvoice.org

Keywords

Land Mines, Holy See, UN, United Nations

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,718

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow

Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea

Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard

Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol

Edging God Out
Paul Sposite

Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow

George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online

Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell

Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey

Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite

Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol

Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol

Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online

Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online

Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online

Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online

Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online

Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online

Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »