The World Council of Churches has urged all countries to take special measures to protect refugees and displaced people from the Middle East, especially those from countries such as Syria, Iraq and Israel-Palestine.

The executive committee of the WCC meeting in Paralimni, Cyprus recommended increased financial and material support for all countries hosting displaced people.

In a statement made available on November 26, the WCC urged countries to share the burden more equitably with the most affected host countries and communities.

The WCC said it paricularly appreciates efforts by countries like Lebanon and Jordan to keep their borders open.

The WCC statement noted a need to strengthen the Christian presence in the Middle East, with due protection of their rights and dignity.

Dr. Elias El-Halabi of the Middle East Council of Churches said, "The issue of internally displaced persons is related to human rights and international humanitarian laws, yet deeply linked with the presence of Christians in the Middle East.

"Forced displacement of religious and ethnic communities can tear apart the social fabric of their homelands, in a region which prides itself on diversity and a history of peaceful co-existence."

He said work to care for those displaced people is never enough.

"While churches and ecumenical organizations in the region are trying to address the situation, the need to do more to support refugees still remains persistent," Halabi said.

The statement particularly appreciates efforts by countries like Lebanon and Jordan to keep their borders open.

Based on the Christian premise of welcoming the stranger, the statement addresses the crisis of forced displacement in the Middle East, where the WCC has a number of churches and partner organizations working on the issue.

The document urges all parties to conflicts driving destruction and displacement in Syria, Iraq and Israel-Palestine, to "respect the dignity and rights of all human beings."

HUMANITARIAN LAW

It calls on them to "observe the principles of international humanitarian law concerning the protection of civilians."

The WCC urges an end to the conflicts, enabling return of the refugees and displaced people to their homes safely and with dignity.

The statement also calls on the international humanitarian community and authorities in host countries to redouble efforts to avoid statelessness among refugee populations, particularly among children.

This can be done by simplifying registration procedures and documentation requirements for substantiating identity and marriage.

The statement recommends all states sign, ratify and implement the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions.

Another significant point stressed by the WCC statement is related to strengthening the Christian presence in the Middle East, with due protection of their rights and dignity.

According to Dr. Elias El-Halabi of the Middle East Council of Churches, "the statement is timely given that the WCC constituency includes important members in Syria, Iraq and Palestine".

"The issue of internally displaced persons is related to human rights and international humanitarian laws, yet deeply linked with the presence of Christians in the Middle East," he said.

"Forced displacement of religious and ethnic communities can tear apart the social fabric of their homelands, in a region which prides itself on diversity and a history of peaceful co-existence.

"Work to care for refugees and displaced people is never enough. While churches and ecumenical organizations in the region are trying to address the situation, the need to do more to support refugees still remains persistent," Halabi said.