International Affairs, Peace & Human Security
Letter to H.E. Edward Schevardnadze, President of Georgia
6 February 2003

Your Excellency,

The World Council of Churches has been informed about the violent attacks perpetrated against those peacefully gathering to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in the Central Baptist Church in Tbilisi on 24 January.

The World Council of Churches vigorously denounces this unacceptable and criminal action of intolerance which misuses the name of religion, and appeals to the Georgian authorities to ensure that the necessary actions are taken to bring those responsible to justice.

Our appeal is strengthened by the knowledge that this is not the first attack carried out by the extremist group led by the defrocked priest Basil Mkalavishvili against representatives of minority churches in Georgia in recent years. The seeming impunity of this extremist and violent group undermines the fragile inter-church relations in the country and negatively impacts Georgia's reputation as a democratic country upholding international standards of human rights and the rule of law.

The WCC underlines the fact that those responsible for this action have been excluded from membership of the Georgian Orthodox Church, and their actions have been denounced by all the main Christian churches in Georgia, including the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran churches.

The WCC will continue to support and encourage all efforts in the region which promote tolerance and understanding among religious and ethnic communities during this time of uncertainty and insecurity which is affecting much of the Caucasus region.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this important matter.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Weiderud
Director, Commission of the Churches on International Affairs

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