September 5, 2012

The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) issued a public statement on 4 September calling for re-inscription of the French Polynesia (Maohi Nui) on the list of countries to be decolonized.

In 1947 the French government had Maohi Nui removed from such a list drawn up by the newly formed United Nations. A public statement adopted by the Central Committee calls on French authorities "to fulfil their obligations and provide all necessary means for the economic, social and cultural development of the Maohi people" and "urges France to compensate all those affected by nuclear testing and radioactivity" in the vicinity.

It also invites Christians everywhere to pray "for the people and the churches of Maohi Nui as they embark on their peaceful and just struggle for self-determination."

Full text of the WCC Central Committee statement: http://lists.wcc-coe.org/ct.html?ufl=d&rtr=on&s=jazjt,h6u9,usx,aryg,icw7,iczd,e4ua.

The United Nations and decolonization: http://lists.wcc-coe.org/ct.html?ufl=d&rtr=on&s=jazjt,h6u9,usx,mbbl,ih65,iczd,e4ua.

More information on the Central Committee meeting: http://lists.wcc-coe.org/ct.html?ufl=d&rtr=on&s=jazjt,h6u9,usx,d35b,e4lf,iczd,e4ua.

World Council of Churches