URC Statement on the 5th Anniversary of the Iraq War

Reflecting on the 5th anniversary of the Iraq war on 19th March 2008, Mission Council of the United Reformed Church:
1. Expresses deep sorrow and regret at the devastating consequences of this war and occupation – for the people of Iraq and the families of the coalition forces, reflected in these tragic statistics:
· An estimated 1.2 million Iraqis have been killed directly and indirectly. As a result of the destruction of infrastructure, tens of thousands experience on-going malnutrition and disease.
· Since 2003 there has been a mass exodus of people fleeing from the on-going violence and occupation. More than 4.4 million Iraqis have been uprooted from their homes. Some 2.2 million are displaced internally and more than 2 million have fled to neighbouring countries – Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.
· The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports that one in five Iraqi refugees registered in Syria is a victim of violence. Many suffer from chronic illness which is exacerbated as their financial resources run out. Refugee children are falling behind in education, and one UNHCR survey in Syria found 10% of the children of refugee families were working for a living.
· The minority Christian community has suffered from targeted attacks on churches and Christian leaders. The Iraqi Christian community of 800,000 has been reduced to between 400,000 and 600,000 as a direct consequence of the war.
· 174 British, 3,923 US and 133 other military personnel have been killed in Iraq between March 2003 and 14 January 2008 and thousands more injured and maimed; returning home some are vilified for simply doing their duty.
· According to The Ministry of Defence the UK has spent £5 billion on the war in Iraq over and above the UK’s defence budget.

2. Reiterates that entering the War in Iraq in support of US forces before exhausting all other options in contravention of international law was an ill-conceived decision on the part of the British government; it has contributed to the immense human suffering and misery outlined above and was contrary to views of many people of faith in Britain.

3. Repeats its call for leaders to reflect on the root causes of the situation in Iraq and to address these based on the understanding that where conflict and tension abound, lasting peace and stability are more likely to emanate from a dismantling of structures that perpetrate injustice or division than from violence and aggression.

4. Mindful of the on-going humanitarian crisis, calls on all those with influence and authority to work with renewed urgency and vigour to bring an end to the occupation of Iraq by coalition forces based on the development of sustainable security and livelihoods for the people of this region.

5. Seeks commitment to resolution of conflict through diplomatic means and the use of multilateral institutions in compliance with international law, in order to achieve a lasting basis for peace, not only in Iraq but in the entire Middle East region.

6. Pays tribute to and supports in prayer the work of forces chaplains whose calling is to provide spiritual support and comfort to service women and men.

Please copy this & use in your church magazines, newsletters & on websites. You may also want to read it aloud in Maundy Thursday and/or Good Friday services in order to pray and reflect together on the continuing violence in Iraq.