July 10, 2006

New proposals to tighten US economic and humanitarian restrictions on Cuba will adversely effect vulnerable Cuban people, and a recommendation that would isolate the Cuban Council of Churches constitutes "a gross violation of religious freedom and a remarkably aggressive interference in religious matters," the WCC states in a letter addressed to President George W. Bush, issued on 10 July 2006.

The letter, signed by WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, comes as a response to the report of the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, an American government body which advises on US policy on Cuba. The Commission is chaired by Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice.

The American report, which is scheduled for release on 10 July, includes a recommendation to "tighten regulations for the export of humanitarian items, other than agricultural or medical commodities, to ensure that exports are consigned to entities that support independent civil society and are not regime administered or controlled organizations, such as the Cuban Council of Churches."

"We strongly feel that it is completely inappropriate for the US Government, or any government, to determine who is and who is not a legitimate national council of churches, and to restrict or deny Christian fellowship and humanitarian assistance to any particular national church council, including the Cuban Council of Churches," the WCC general secretary says in the letter. The WCC also reiterates its appeal for the lifting of the US economic blockade on Cuba.

The WCC is urging churches and national councils of churches to express their solidarity with the Cuban Council of Churches, and to articulate their concern about these restrictions to the US authorities, either directly to the US Department of State or through their nearest US embassy.

Related WCC links:

Full text of the letter to President George W. Bush http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents.html.

Report of the 2005 visit of the WCC general secretary to Cuba http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pu-05-23.html.

WCC 9th Assembly statement on Latin America http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents.html.

Related external links (the WCC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites):

US Department of State/Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rt/cuba/.

World Council of Churches