Me and Jeanne in conf room 1.
Boring arguments going on just now.
Boring arguments going on just now.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Nice speech by new Nuncio of Holy See
Statement of H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza
Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
at the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Third Committee, Agenda Item 68 (b and c): Human Rights
New York, 29 October 2014
Madam Chair,
I would like to thank the various Special Rapporteurs and Special Mandate holders for their
reports and work during the past year. Today’s discussion brings to light a great number of
serious challenges to human rights around the world, and reminds us of the need to rebuild
trust in the human rights system in upholding fundamental human rights.
The right to life as enshrined in natural law and protected by international human rights laws
lies at the foundation of all human rights. The Holy See reaffirms that all life must be fully
protected in all its stages from conception until natural death.
In this regard, my delegation welcomes the reduction in the last two years of the recourse to
the death penalty around the globe. As Pope Francis affirmed before representatives of the
Association of International Penal Law, received in the Vatican last October 23, “it is
impossible to imagine that states today cannot make use of another means than capital
punishment to defend peoples’ lives from an unjust aggression." The Pope also recommends
the abolition of life imprisonment, which he defines as “a hidden death penalty” because, like
the death penalty, it excludes all possibilities of redemption and recuperation. He warned
against “penal populism” that privileges punishment to solve society’s ills, rather than a more
rigorous pursuit of social justice and preventative measures. This is especially important
when it comes to juvenile delinquency and crimes committed by the elderly. Pope Francis
called on all people of goodwill to struggle also to improve prison conditions, out of respect
for the human dignity of prisoners, so many of whom, in so many countries of the world,
have been detained for long periods without trial.
Along with the right to life, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion continues
to face serious challenges around the world. In some regions, violations against religious
freedom have multiplied and intensified in their brutality, in particular against religious
minorities. My delegation insists that these ruthless violations must not only be seen as
violence against ethnic and religious minorities, but first and foremost must be condemned
as blatant violations of fundamental human rights, and must be dealt with accordingly.
In other parts of the world, religious freedom faces legal barriers put by public authorities
and experiences condescending if not outright discriminatory behavior of some in society.
Some authorities seek to restrict religious observance to the private realm and impose legal
obligations that conflict with personal conscience and religious beliefs. Given this misconstrued understanding of religious freedom and similar misconceptions still existing
today, my delegation wishes to note that the struggle for religious freedom was at the origins
of certain nations. The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is an inalienable
fundamental human right; thus, it has always been and will always be at the core of the
struggle for the recognition and free exercise of fundamental human rights.
In this context, my delegation welcomes the Interim Report of the Special Rapporteur on
freedom of religion or belief(A/69/261), which, inter alia, identifies measures of “reasonable
accommodation” to overcome discrimination and violation of this fundamental human right
in the workplace. Indeed, a world that truly respects religious freedom must move beyond
mere toleration. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights
instruments explicitly affirm that the right to freedom of religion or belief includes the right
of all to practice their faith alone or in community, in public or private, and the right to
change his or her religion or belief.
In order to address these challenges, we must strengthen the international human rights
system. My delegation hopes that the resolution on Strengthening and enhancing the
effective functioning of the human rights treaty body system (A/RES/68/268) translates
into meaningful reform towards greater observance of treaties (Pacta sunt servanda) and
their faithful and objective, not political or ideological, monitoring.
With lessons learned from our failure to stop massive violations of fundamental human
rights – including and most especially religious freedom- and of international humanitarian
law, the time is for courageous decisions. My delegation looks forward to working with all
delegations during this session to reinvigorate respect and appreciation for fundamental
human rights around the world.
Thank you, Mr Chairman.
Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
at the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Third Committee, Agenda Item 68 (b and c): Human Rights
New York, 29 October 2014
Madam Chair,
I would like to thank the various Special Rapporteurs and Special Mandate holders for their
reports and work during the past year. Today’s discussion brings to light a great number of
serious challenges to human rights around the world, and reminds us of the need to rebuild
trust in the human rights system in upholding fundamental human rights.
The right to life as enshrined in natural law and protected by international human rights laws
lies at the foundation of all human rights. The Holy See reaffirms that all life must be fully
protected in all its stages from conception until natural death.
In this regard, my delegation welcomes the reduction in the last two years of the recourse to
the death penalty around the globe. As Pope Francis affirmed before representatives of the
Association of International Penal Law, received in the Vatican last October 23, “it is
impossible to imagine that states today cannot make use of another means than capital
punishment to defend peoples’ lives from an unjust aggression." The Pope also recommends
the abolition of life imprisonment, which he defines as “a hidden death penalty” because, like
the death penalty, it excludes all possibilities of redemption and recuperation. He warned
against “penal populism” that privileges punishment to solve society’s ills, rather than a more
rigorous pursuit of social justice and preventative measures. This is especially important
when it comes to juvenile delinquency and crimes committed by the elderly. Pope Francis
called on all people of goodwill to struggle also to improve prison conditions, out of respect
for the human dignity of prisoners, so many of whom, in so many countries of the world,
have been detained for long periods without trial.
Along with the right to life, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion continues
to face serious challenges around the world. In some regions, violations against religious
freedom have multiplied and intensified in their brutality, in particular against religious
minorities. My delegation insists that these ruthless violations must not only be seen as
violence against ethnic and religious minorities, but first and foremost must be condemned
as blatant violations of fundamental human rights, and must be dealt with accordingly.
In other parts of the world, religious freedom faces legal barriers put by public authorities
and experiences condescending if not outright discriminatory behavior of some in society.
Some authorities seek to restrict religious observance to the private realm and impose legal
obligations that conflict with personal conscience and religious beliefs. Given this misconstrued understanding of religious freedom and similar misconceptions still existing
today, my delegation wishes to note that the struggle for religious freedom was at the origins
of certain nations. The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is an inalienable
fundamental human right; thus, it has always been and will always be at the core of the
struggle for the recognition and free exercise of fundamental human rights.
In this context, my delegation welcomes the Interim Report of the Special Rapporteur on
freedom of religion or belief(A/69/261), which, inter alia, identifies measures of “reasonable
accommodation” to overcome discrimination and violation of this fundamental human right
in the workplace. Indeed, a world that truly respects religious freedom must move beyond
mere toleration. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights
instruments explicitly affirm that the right to freedom of religion or belief includes the right
of all to practice their faith alone or in community, in public or private, and the right to
change his or her religion or belief.
In order to address these challenges, we must strengthen the international human rights
system. My delegation hopes that the resolution on Strengthening and enhancing the
effective functioning of the human rights treaty body system (A/RES/68/268) translates
into meaningful reform towards greater observance of treaties (Pacta sunt servanda) and
their faithful and objective, not political or ideological, monitoring.
With lessons learned from our failure to stop massive violations of fundamental human
rights – including and most especially religious freedom- and of international humanitarian
law, the time is for courageous decisions. My delegation looks forward to working with all
delegations during this session to reinvigorate respect and appreciation for fundamental
human rights around the world.
Thank you, Mr Chairman.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Monday, October 27, 2014
Sunday - at Church
Got a nice surprise at East 7th St Baptist church on Sunday . Pastor Taylor Field now has a beard.
Friday, October 24, 2014
Breaking news at the UN
Today I heard this lady , Michele, speak up for men & boys. This is the second time in 20 years of
coming to the UN that anyone has made any positive mention of males of the human species
 |
| Michele Solomon of International Organzation for Migration |
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
3rd day at the UN
Here I am first into conf room 1 right on 9am. They say " the early bird catches the worm ". But there are no worms here yet. The plenary is scheduled to start at 10am.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Second day at the UN
Well here I am for the second day at the UN for this trip.
Today there will be debate on torture,
I will be feeling tortured listening.
 |
| Just about to go into the building |
 |
| Its nice to see the the UN has such realistic goals !!! |
Monday, October 20, 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Christians Against Poverty - CAP
Last night my wife & I went to a fundraising dinner for CAP in Falkirk, SCOTLAND. There were about 90 people there and around £40,000 was raised. Our daughter , Victoria , works for CAP in Bradford. Please see : www.capuk.org. This is a great organisation.
On Monday I fly to New York for 2 weeks at the UN.
 |
| My wife's hand on left , on the right John Kirkby ,founder and International Director of CAP. |
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
The good old NHS ( National Health Service )
Yesterday I arrived early for my appointment to see a plastic surgeon. He was an hour late in seeing me. Also he was not the doctor I thought I would see. I guess everyone had to wait as all appointments were late. Everyone was as quiet as tame rabbits , more used to the system of delay and lateness than myself who got up after 50 minutes to ask " have I been forgotten about ! ".
The doctor said the mole did not look malignant, but they will know for sure when it is off my cheek and under a microscope.
My appointment , for going under the knife , will be with the surgeon in about 6 weeks. I gave him a summary of my diary , but was told this will no doubt be ignored and I shall have to negotiate a date when I am home with the appointments person.
The doctor said the mole did not look malignant, but they will know for sure when it is off my cheek and under a microscope.
My appointment , for going under the knife , will be with the surgeon in about 6 weeks. I gave him a summary of my diary , but was told this will no doubt be ignored and I shall have to negotiate a date when I am home with the appointments person.
 |
| The mole is the red spot between my mouth and bottom ear lobe. |
Sunday, October 12, 2014
A personal prayer request
Please pray for me today. At 11.10 am this morning I have an appointment to see a plastic surgeon at Ayr hospital. This is to organize to have a mole removed from my left cheek. See my finger pointing to it. When it is removed they will do a biopsy on it. I may have to shave off my beard for the operation !!
34th Wedding anniversay
Last night I took my wife of 34 years to her favourite restaurant at Dumfries House.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
At Christian Friends of Israel
This morning I let the devotions here in Eastbourne at CFI. Photo of Jacob Vice attached , the chief executive of CFI.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Great lunch
Had a great time today , here are two of the five leaders who were my guests. Here is Pastor Michael King and his wife Marjorie.
On Friday this week Pastor Michael will have key hole surgery on his heart to adjust his heart beat. Please pray for a very good outcome with this operation.
Tomorrow I head off to Eastbourne to meet up with a group called Christian Friends of Israel.
On Friday I travel home. Saturday is my 34th wedding anniversary and I will be taking my wife out to dinner.
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST
Today at 12.30 I am due to host lunch with eight African / Caribbean pastors in London at my Club.
I am hoping some of them will have me preach in their churches or speak at their conferences.
Pray that they will turn up roughly on time and be receptive to doing some pro-life work with me.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
One of my heros
This is a statue of Sir Keth Park who led 11 group in the Battle of Britain in 1940. He was in charge of fighter command over London and the south east of England. I walked past this statue today on my way to lunch.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
A wedding
Today I was at the wedding of Billue& Maggie Munro in my church here in Scotland. I have know Billie 25 years.Please pray for them.
Last week I met two church leaders in the north of Scotland.One has invited me to speak in his Church in Frebruary.
Tomorrow I head down to London for a week. I have various meetings arranged.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Please spare a moment
A colleague of mine has just shared the following information. Please click on the link and vote no.
El Salvador has been experiencing an ongoing and increasingly powerful attack against its constitutional and other legal protections of the right to life for Salvadoran babies in the womb. This attack involves Amnesty International, Center for Reproductive Rights, and other foreign institutions.
You are asked to help right now in one small way:
Please go to the Salvadoran website below and Vote NO on the question, "Do you agree that abortion should be decriminalized in El Salvador?" It is in Spanish: "Esta usted de acuerdo de que se despenalice el aborto en El Salvador?" Just click, "No".
http://www.contrapunto.com.sv/opinion/sondeo/sondeos-cp-2014
El Salvador has been experiencing an ongoing and increasingly powerful attack against its constitutional and other legal protections of the right to life for Salvadoran babies in the womb. This attack involves Amnesty International, Center for Reproductive Rights, and other foreign institutions.
You are asked to help right now in one small way:
Please go to the Salvadoran website below and Vote NO on the question, "Do you agree that abortion should be decriminalized in El Salvador?" It is in Spanish: "Esta usted de acuerdo de que se despenalice el aborto en El Salvador?" Just click, "No".
http://www.contrapunto.com.sv/opinion/sondeo/sondeos-cp-2014
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