Cardinal Wako urges Sudan to protect human rights

Feb 3, 2007 (NAIROBI) — The Catholic Archbishop of Khartoum, Gabriel Cardinal Zubeir Wako, has called on the Government of National Unity to promote human rights in Sudan.

Cardinal Wako, speaking during ecumenical prayers for peace in Khartoum on Monday, said serious violations of human rights continue in most parts of Sudan even after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Sudan Radio Service reported.

The cardinal pointed out the displacement of people from their homes in northern Sudan as one example of human rights violations.

“When you leave a person in his or place, there is peace, and when you displace a person from his or her place, problems will start. This is what is happening, and a person who is not in his place, has no food, has no shelter, has no school, has no health service, there are looming problems and this is the beginning of war.”

Cardinal Wako called for respect for every human person, adding that “because every human being has the right to enjoy solidarity and care from us, if we do not respect this rights, problems will always arise.”

He also called on all Christians and Muslims in Sudan to work together to implement the CPA for the sake of peace and stability in the country.

(Catholic Information Service for Africa)