ДЛЯ НЕМЕДЛЕННОГО ОСВОБОЖДЕНИЯ
(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA – February 6, 2019) In response to the recent arrest of Baptist leader Gregory Jos� P�rez, the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is mobilizing efforts to connect with government authorities to encourage his release as well as providing financial resources to local ministries that are responding to needs of Venezuelans, both within the country and displaced refugees in neighboring nations.
Mr. P�rez was arrested on January 23, 2019, in the city of San Felipe, Yaracuy State, alongside more than 30 others, including numerous children ranging in age from 12 to 14. He currently serves in a volunteer capacity as the Executive Director of the National Baptist Youth Union of Venezuela, a ministry of the National Baptist Convention of Venezuela.
At the time of his arrest, Mr. P�rez was working in a communications center but was asked to vacate the premises due to protests nearby. He then entered the home of friends in the vicinity and was subsequently arrested when police conducted a search of the neighborhood, despite no evidence linking him to the protests.
?Brother P�rez has dedicated his life to serving others, most especially the children and youth of Venezuela. Baptists across the region testify to the positive contributions heoffers on a daily basis, from his service as an engineer to his work with young people,? says Rev. Dr. Elijah Brown, BWA General Secretary. ?Yet since his arrest, Brother P�rez has been held in detention, publicly humiliated, charged with a lengthy set of allegations, and treated as a terrorist. He and has family have suffered. This constitutes an excessive and disproportionate restriction on his right to freedom.?
On behalf of millions of Baptists around the world and in partnership with the National Baptist Convention of Venezuela and the Union of Baptists in Latin America, Rev. Brown and Rev. Parrish Jacome have composed and distributed a letter to government authorities within Venezuela, urging that human and legal rights be honored, including the removal of all charges against Mr. P�rez and against the others arbitrarily arrested alongside him. The BWA is also working to mobilize a greater response by reaching out to connections within the United Nations and United States Congressional Offices.
The care and concern of the BWA extends beyond the needs of Mr. P�rez to all the people of Venezuela. ?At this particular moment in the life of Venezuela, the BWA and Baptists around the world stand in prayer for the peace and wellbeing of the country,? says Rev. Brown.
To that end, in addition to justice efforts on behalf of Mr. P�rez, BWAid has offered $5,000 emergency grants to six Baptists conventions and organizations working alongside the people of Venezuela. This includes ministries that are providing support within the country, offering programs that provide basic care and employment for displaced Venezuelans, and empowering church leaders who are continuing to live a vibrant witness today.
BWA обращается с призывом к действию ко всем баптистам мира:
- Pray for the full release and exoneration of Gregory Jos� P�rez, those arrested with him, and for Venezuela as a whole.
- Присоединяйтесь к BWA в прямой адвокации, используя связанное письмо BWA в качестве основы для написания собственного письма в соответствующие государственные органы Венесуэлы. Вы можете написать письмо напрямую или отправить его по адресу BWA@bwanet.org, и мы позаботимся о том, чтобы ваше письмо поддержки было направлено в соответствующие ведомства по всей Венесуэле.
- Поделитесь этим призывом к молитве и действию в социальных сетях, используя хэштег, #LiberenaGregory
- Дайте в BWA для поддержки начинаний в Венесуэле сейчас и в будущем.
Gregory Jos� P�rez
Исполнительный директор Национального союза баптистской молодежи ВенесуэлыПриложение A:
BWA Letter to Gov. Julio Le�n Heredia (English)
Дополнение B:
BWA Letter to Gov. Julio Le�n Heredia (Spanish)
Всемирный Баптистский Альянс, основанный в 1905 году, объединяет 240 съездов и союзов в 125 странах и территориях, объединяющих 47 миллионов крещенных верующих в 169 000 церквей. На протяжении более 100 лет Всемирный Баптистский Альянс объединяет баптистскую семью, чтобы оказывать влияние на мир во имя Христа с обязательством укреплять поклонение, общение и единство; руководить миссией и евангелизацией; откликаться на нужды нуждающихся через помощь, облегчение и развитие общин; защищать религиозную свободу, права человека и правосудие; продвигать богословские размышления и развитие лидерства.
Медиа Контакт:
J. Мерритт Джонстон
Директор по коммуникациям и СМИ
Телефон: +1 (214) 577-9187
Email: merritt[@]bwanet.org