A delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Ecumenical partners are continuing their virtual and solidarity visit to the Holy Land. The WCC Moderator His Grace Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, and the WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, held a meeting with Layan Nasir’ parents, on Wednesday 7 August 2024. Layan is a 24-year-old Palestinian Anglican student who has been detained by the occupation authorities since April 2024.
Noting that the delegation participating in the virtual visit, which extends between 7 and 8 August 2024, includes His Grace Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC Moderator, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, WCC General Secretary, Mr. biBueno de Faria, ACT Alliance General Secretary, Dr. Audeh Quawas, Member of the WCC Central Committee and Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Michel Abs, Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), and Mr. Erik Lysén, ACT Alliance Moderator.
The meeting with Layan Nasir’s parents was a solidarity with this family and all the families who were exposed to trauma due to what happened with them, as well as an affirmation of the commitment to continue working on the issue of arrests that are being implemented without formal charges, which constitutes violations of human rights and dignity. Hence, the WCC Moderator and the WCC Secretary General called for the immediate release of Layan Nasir and all detained Palestinians.
For his part, His Grace Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm said, “it was very touching to hear the story of Layan’s arrest and to feel the despair of her parents not even being told what the charges are. The situation of war can never be an excuse for arbitrarily detaining people without even revealing the charges. Layan Nasir needs to be released immediately.”
In turn, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay mentioned that, “it is very alarming and concerning that the occupation authorities could impose administrative detention on people and keep them in prison for extended periods without any charges or information to the families about the arrests of their loved ones. We spoke to the parents of Layan Nassir, and we heard their stories and saw their pain and suffering as they worry about their daughter who was detained since April 2024.”
He added, “The WCC will intervene in this situation on behalf of Layan and all other detainees under similar circumstances and rules. Human rights and human dignity must be preserved and taken seriously, and International human rights law must be respected, even by governments in whatever country. We continue to hope, pray and work for justice and peace.”
In this context, it is worth noting that the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) joins its voice to the voice of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and condemns every operation that violates human rights and dignity, stressing the need to continue working together to achieve peace, truth and justice. MECC does not miss an opportunity to remind everyone of the tragic situation of the Palestinian people, which has been recorded for more than three-quarters of a century.
