The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance® (BWA) passed a resolution asking the government of the United States to lift its long standing embargo on Cuba.
The US embargo against Cuba was first imposed in October 1960, was strengthened in 1962 and codified into law in 1993. It includes commercial, economic, financial and travel prohibitions and restrictions.
“The BWA urges the US government to end the embargo of Cuba and re-establish formal diplomatic relations with the Cuban government” and “lift all remaining restrictions on travel to Cuba by US citizens.” Both governments need to “set in place a process for negotiating legitimate bilateral grievances.”
Essentially asserting that the embargo is irrelevant, the council, which comprises Baptist leaders from around the world, said “more than two decades have passed since the end of the Cold War, and that most manifestations of that struggle have been ameliorated or abolished, except for the continuing United States embargo against Cuba begun in 1960.”
The embargo, the resolution claims, serves no useful purpose. “The interests of neither nation – nor those of the international family of nations – are served by the status quo.” Rather, “the lifting of the embargo will improve living conditions for Cubans and provide greater opportunities for commerce, education, and travel.”
The BWA governing body noted that several of its member organizations in the US “have been on record for more than two decades in opposition to the embargo” and that “annually for the past 21 years the United Nations General Assembly has voted – nearly unanimously – for an end to the embargo.”
The council expressed concern about the effect the embargo has on Baptists on the Caribbean island, which has the fastest growing Baptist membership in the Caribbean. “The Baptist World Alliance® stands in solidarity with Cuban Baptists who have been negatively impacted by this embargo.”
The General Council convened during the Annual Gathering that was held in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, from July 1-6.
Baptist World Alliance®
© July 6, 2013