Peacemakers kidnapped

On Saturday four people with Christian Peacemaker Teams, one a close friend I worked with in Iraq earlier this year and another an aquaintance, were kidnapped in Baghdad. CPT has issued this statement:

"International violence-reduction organization Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) confirmed today that the four humanitarian workers kidnapped in Baghdad on November 26 are associated with their organization. One of the hostages is Norman Kember, a member of the current CPT delegation to Iraq. The British Foreign office confirmed Mr. Kember’s name on Sunday. The names of the other hostages are being withheld in the interest of their security. Only two are members of the long-term Team.

CPT has been present in Iraq since October, 2002. The Team’s work has focused on documenting and focusing public attention on detainee abuses, connecting citizens of Iraq to local and international human rights organizations, and accompanying Iraqi civilians as they interact with multinational military personnel and Iraq’s government officials. Iraqi friends and human rights workers have welcomed the Team as a non-violent, independent presence and asked that the Team tell the stories of Iraqis.

In a “Statement of Conviction,” the long-term Team members stated that they “are aware of the many risks both Iraqis and internationals currently face,” and affirmed that the risks did not outweigh their purpose in remaining. They express the hope that “in loving both friends and enemies and by intervening non-violently to aid those who are systematically oppressed, we can contribute in some small way to transforming this volatile situation.”

CPT does not advocate the use of violent force to save our lives should we be kidnapped, held hostage, or caught in the middle of a conflict situation.

Christian Peacemaker Teams places teams of trained peacemakers in crisis situations and militarized areas around the world. These teams host regular delegations of committed peace and human rights activists to conflict zones, who join teams in working with civilians to document abuses and develop non-violent alternatives. The CPT Iraq Team has hosted a total of 120 people on 16 delegations over the last 3 years.

In addition to the Iraq Team, Teams of CPT workers are currently serving in Barrancabermeja, Colombia; Hebron and At-Tuwani, Palestine; Kenora, Ontario, Canada; and on the Mexico-United States border."

The CPT-Iraq team does not want media speculation at this moment in case this is harmful. They may issue further statements on their website. Any media should contact them on +1 416-423-5525 (Canada) +1 773-277-0253 (US), offices being staffed 24hrs a day.

If anyone may be able to help with their release contact CPT on the above, or you can reach me at justinalexander@gmail.com or by phone currently on +0039 0831 23 2042 (until about 10pm Kuwait time, 3pm EST) or at my hotel + 965 5710301 ext. 237 (or ask the switchboard to see if I'm at the lobby internet cafe). You may be able to SMS (but not call) me on +962 796497506. My numbers are likely to change in the next few days as I am traveling, and I will post the latest here.

Use Googlenews for the latest on this issue sorted by relevance and date.

In any case, I welcome all of your prayers for their safety and for the many brave Iraqis suffering ongoing kidnapping, detention and violence, and struggling to make ends meet.