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23 March 2006
It’s fantastic news that Norman Kember, James Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden have been freed from captivity in Iraq. Nottingham CND organised three vigils to remind people of the plight of all hostages in Iraq and call for the release of Norman and the others.
I have known Norman Kember for 15-20 years through the Fellowship of Reconciliation, a Christian peacemaking charity. He is committed to the idea that peacemaking and non violence is the best way to meet people at a human level, to make contact with those we see as the enemy, and to resolve conflicts. He is absolutely opposed to the war in Iraq and the presence of the multinational troops.
He decided to take a risk in his peacemaking and join Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraq in their work of meeting Iraqi people and helping those who had been illegally detained or abused by the coalition forces. But he is no well meaning simpleton. He knew he was taking a risk, but he also knew that Christian Peacemaker Teams had been a presence in Iraq for several years and over 100 of their members had been to Iraq and returned safely.
A wide spectrum of Muslim groups called for the release of the peacemakers, including some that our government would classify as extremists or terrorists. It is great that there has been a recognition across faith boundaries of the peace work in support of people in Iraq which Norman and the others were undertaking.
I know people say that British forces had to risk their lives to free him. Actually, before they went to Iraq, the peacemakers were clear that if they were taken hostage they did not want to be rescued in a military operation. They did not want to be rescued with violence. And, although its being spun as a great military victory, in the end, they weren't.
Mark Ramsey
Nottingham CND
More detailed answers to the accusations made against Norman Kember and Christian Peacemaker Teams can be found in this article.
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