Call for South African Government to work with Russia and China on Syria

This media release was issued on 8 June 2012.

The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town today called on the South African Government to increase its efforts to promote a solution to the violence in Syria. ‘As members both of the UN Security Council, and the BRICS partnership, we have particular opportunities – and therefore responsibilities – to work urgently for human rights to be upheld in Syria’ said Dr Thabo Makgoba. ‘And while all members of the international community must throw their weight behind Kofi Annan’s efforts to produce a peaceful and just solution to Syria’s problems, we must also do everything possible to bring an immediate end to the terrible atrocities that are being reported. With our partners – and here I am particularly thinking of China and Russia, we must do all we can to bring a halt to the spiralling violence.’

The Archbishop also called for fervent prayer that peace will prevail. ‘Our hearts are more than sore when we see the pictures and hear the reports of the appalling suffering inflicted on the civilian population, especially women and children’ he said. ‘We hold the country and its people in our prayers, asking for God’s comfort and strength for all who are bereaved and injured, and all whose lives are being devastated by this conflict. May God encourage all who work for peace and justice, and prosper their efforts.’

Issued by the Office of the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town
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