The Prison Reform Trust has commented on the government's proposals for all offenders sentenced to four years or more to be automatically barred from registering to vote.The Prison Reform Trust has commented on the government's proposal for all offenders sentenced to four years or more to be automatically barred from registering to vote. The Trust's Director, Juliet Lyon said:"Enfranchising prisoners serving sentences of under four years is an important step in the right direction. However, it does not appear to meet the requirements of European Court judgments which state that the vast majority of prisoners should be able to vote."The government confirmed the new proposals on Friday 17 December 2010. All offenders sentenced to four years or more will automatically be barred from registering to vote. Prisoners sentenced to less than four years will retain the right to vote, unless the sentencing judge removes it.The Constitutional Reform Minister Mark Harper said: The government has brought these proposals forward as a result of a court ruling which it is obliged to implement. This is not a choice, it is a legal obligation. We are ensuring the most serious offenders will continue to be barred from voting.If the government failed to implement this judgement, we would not only be in breach of our international obligations but could be risking taxpayers’ money in paying out compensation claims."The right to vote will be restricted to Westminster Parliamentary elections and European Parliament elections only. If a prisoner is allowed to keep their right to vote, they would do so either by post or proxy. Prisoners will not be registered at the prison, but at their former address or an area where they have a local connection.A bar on serving prisoners voting was put in place in 1870. In 2005, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in the case of John Hirst that the existing ban on prisoners being able to vote was contrary to Article 3, Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights – the right to free and fair elections.[Ekk/4]

Contact: Maroun Karam, +32-47-520-9123STRASBOURG, France, Dec. 24, 2010 /Christian Newswire/ -- During its last plenary session, the European Parliament officially welcomed a high ranked delegation of Christian leaders from Iraq and Lebanon composed of their Excellencies Archbishop Matti Matoka (Baghdad-Iraq), Basile Georges Casmoussa (Mosul-Iraq), Mgr Shlemoun Warduni (Babylon-Iraq), by Pr. Melhem Riachy (Kaslik University, Lebanon) and M. Maroun Karam (President of the Maronite League in Source: BELGIAN MARONITE LEAGUE

Contact: Maureen Daly, 718-288-7997, Dalymj@msn.com; Blue Collar Corner, 516-523-5758, press@BlueCollarCorner.comNEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2010 /Christian Newswire/ -- Andy Sullivan's greatest Christmas wish just might come true this year. Sullivan, a 911 survivor and opponent of the Ground Zero Mosque joins others in the Coalition to Honor Ground Zero and the 45,000 who have signed his 911 Hard Hat Pledge in being cautiously optimistic about the proposed plan to move the mosque to the now close Source: Blue Collar Corner

Contact: Jerry Dykstra, Open Doors USA, 616-915-4117, jerryd@odusa.org SANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 20, 2010 /Christian Newswire/ --"Christmas is coming, but peace does not exist in Iraq. Pray for us that we can have a peaceful Christmas. God is so good, and I love Him so much. Please pray for me..." Open Doors received this request in a letter from Martha, an Iraqi mother who has suffered through the recent carnage and attacks on Christians in Baghdad. That included Source: Open Doors USA

Contact: Jenny Yang, 443-527-8363; www.hudson.orgWASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2010 /Christian Newswire/ -- More than 5,000 people who have already passed the difficult test to prove they are refugees living peacefully in the United States -- as well as untold numbers of refugees who remain in dangerous situations abroad -- will spend this holiday season wrongly categorized by the U.S. government as"terrorists."To date, U.S. agencies have failed to adopt the procedures that Congress passed Source: World Relief

Suit alleged violations of United States Constitution and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000Contact: Zak Walsh, 248-626-0006BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Dec. 16, 2010 /Christian Newswire/ -- A federal court's consent judgment will allow the Michigan congregation of Salvation Temple Church to worship freely in a building the church purchased from the City of Hazel Park, Mich. in 2009. The settlement brought swift resolution to a case that alleged violations of t Source: Tanner Friedman

To mark the anniversary of the launch of the Kairos Palestine document, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has released a study booklet with a congregational plan.To mark the first anniversary of the launching of'Kairos Palestine—A Moment of Truth', the Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has released a 24-page booklet that includes both the original statement and a three-week congregational study plan.The Kairos Palestine document is"the'Letter from a Birmingham Jail'of our time", says the North American denomination - which has been outspoken in advocating a just peace for both Israelis and Palestinians in the conflict-torn region.The confession of faith in a divided land, written in 2009 by a broad spectrum of Palestinian Christian leaders, is addressed to Palestinians, Israelis and the whole international community — as well as to all the churches of the world.The document emphasises the classical theological virtues of faith, hope, and love that lie at the heart of the Christian Gospel, and affirms that resistance to injustice and oppression is firmly grounded in these principles.It is both an anguished cry in a dark hour and a profound testament to unquenchable hope, say supporters of the Kairos Palestine document.The Presbyterian Church (USA) study plan for congregations and Christian groups includes informative background material on the Israel-Palestine conflict, including three maps in colour. This material provides essential historical, political, and theological context for the Kairos Palestine statement.The booklet is intended as a guide for readers undertaking an individual study of the document, too."Church-based groups will benefit from the detailed lesson plans for a three-week congregational study, including a list of thought-provoking questions to stimulate reflection and discussion,"say the publishers.The study guides are available in the USA at $2.00 each for 1–19 copies and $1.50 each for 20+ copies. Order at:http://store.pcusa.org/The full Kairos Palestine document may be downlaoded at:http://www.kairospalestine.ps/[Ekk/3]

The negotiators’ burst of energy and resolve during the final straight of the Cancun climate talks has produced a cocktail of welcome and worrying results, says Christian Aid.The negotiators’ burst of energy and resolve during the final straight of the Cancun climate talks has produced a cocktail of welcome and worrying results, says churches'international development agency Christian Aid."Copenhagen derailed the world’s effort to solve the climate crisis but here in Cancun, negotiators have just about heaved it back on track,"said Mohamed Adow, Senior Adviser on Global Advocacy at Christian Aid.He continued:"Countries have also moved forward on certain issues, with some progress on finance, forests, adaptation and technology. But, we need them to go much further – especially on dramatic cuts in rich countries’ emissions and firmly securing the future of the Kyoto Protocol.""So we have mixed feelings,"said Adow."While the deal contains some potential promise for poor people already struggling with climate change, countries have delayed many key decisions, which condemns those people to an ever more precarious future.""The new deal throws Kyoto a lifeline but it is very unclear whether it’s strong enough to pull it through to a second commitment period,"he added."Another concern is that the Cancun conclusion is silent on how far global emissions must be reduced to keep the temperature rise within safe levels. Parties must map a clear route towards an early review of the adequacy of the proposed cuts, if we are to keep warming below 2 degrees.""We need to be honest with ourselves about what the science shows and the review will help with that. It should be completed in time for the next COP, in Durban."In places the deal improves on the Copenhagen Accord, for instance with the creation of the Green Climate Fund. However, countries have failed to agree on where the money will come from. We’re also very troubled about the role the World Bank will play in the fund, because it has a poor record of protecting people and the environment,"the Christian Aid spokesperson declared.Christian Aid says it believes the talks themselves have shown encouraging potential for countries to listen to each other and keep talking and searching for common ground, even when it is hard to imagine there could be any."We hope that countries can build on this positive energy as they continue to work on the huge task of a fair and effective international response to climate change going into South Africa,"said Mr Adow.He went on:"It’s important that countries continue that work within the UN, which is the only forum which brings the whole world together to tackle common problems. And let’s remember that ‘the UN process’ is whatever member countries make it – not some separate entity with a life of its own. Its success reflects the political will that countries bring – or fail to bring – to the process."Looking forward, Christian Aid said countries’ top priorities between now and Durban should include:* Urgently closing the gigatonne gap between countries’ proposed cuts and what the science shows is needed* Firmly securing a second commitment of the Kyoto Protocol in time for it to be finally agreed in Durban, and* Clearly identifying the sources of the money that will form the Green Climate Fund and agreeing rules on how funds will be distributed.[Ekk/3]

New government figures show that faith schools comprise over 2/3rds of the schools with top SATS results, though they account for less than 40% of primary schools.The Department for Education yesterday released new primary school league tables showing that faith schools comprised of over two-thirds of those schools with top SATS results, even though they account for less than 40% of primary schools.(SATS are Standard Assessment Tests, given at the end of year 2, year 6 and year 9. They are used to show a child's progress compared with other children born in the same month.)The chair of the Accord Coalition for inclusive schooling, Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, commented:"The strong performance from faith schools is entirely predictable given that all recent research - including the government's own findings - show that religious entry requirements lead to covert social selection.""This is done either deliberately, for example by getting prospective pupils to write statements about their religious beliefs and therefore gaining insights as to their levels of articulation, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure; or indirectly, because insisting on regular church attendance means automatically privileging higher socio-economic groups, as families from those groups are more likely to regularly attend church,"said Dr Romain."Thatin turn skews faith schools'social and ability profile and boosts their results."He added:"This is why the former Department of Children, Schools and Families 2008 report on the effectiveness of the School Admissions Code found that faith schools were the schools most likely not to comply with the schools admissions code by engaging in practices that were favourable to those with greater social capital and higher socio-economic status.""If people want selection, then be up-front and have Grammar Schools – but do not use religion as a mask for it. Publicly-funded faith schools should serve the entire local community,"said the Accord chair.The Accord Coalition (http://accordcoalition.org.uk/) was launched in September 2008 and brings together a wide range of religious and non-religious organisations and individuals campaigning for an end to religious discrimination in school staffing and pupil admissions.The Coalition also works for a fair and balanced Religious Education (RE) curriculum, for pupils to receive Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, and for the replacement of the requirement for compulsory daily Collective Worship with inspiring and inclusive assemblies. It does not take a position for or against faith schools in principle. Its growing list of members and supporters include the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, the Christian think tank Ekklesia, British Muslims for Secular Democracy, The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches,the British Humanist Association, and members from the four largest groupings in parliament.------Further evidence:Can Competition Improve School Standards? The Case of Faith Schools in England(2009) by Dr Rebecca Allen and Dr Anna Vignoles found ‘... significant evidence that religious schools are associated with higher levels of pupil sorting across schools, but no evidence that competition from faith schools raises area-wide pupil attainment’.Faith Schools: Admissions and Performance(2009) fromthe House of Commons Library reviewed evidence on the relationship between admissions and performance in faith schools and found that ‘recent research on primary schools suggests that performance difference can largely be explained by prior attainment and background. The remaining differences are due to parental self-selection and selection methods used by some faith schools’.Faith Primary Schools: Better Schools or Better Pupils?(2009) by Stephen Gibbons and Olmo Sliva argued that ‘it appears that most of the apparent advantage of faith school education in England can be explained by differences between the pupils who attend these schools and those who do not’.A parliamentary question from Adrian Sanders MP answered on 25 February 2009 found that 11.5% of pupils at faith schools were in receipt in free schools meals, but 15.7% in non-faith schools.School Admissions Report: Fair choice for parents and pupils(2007) by Sarah Tough and Richard Brookes argued that ‘... schools have no reason to be their own admissions authorities, other than to select students by ability or socio-economic background’.

Amnesty International today (14 December 2010) welcomed a new report on Migration and Trafficking from the Scottish Parliament.Amnesty International today (14 December 2010) welcomed the new report on Migration and Trafficking produced by the Scottish Parliament’s Equal Opportunities Committee. The human rights group welcomed the comprehensive analysis of the current scale and awareness of trafficking in Scotland and the clear agenda for tackling this appalling violation of basic human rights.Amnesty particularly welcomed the report’s recommendations for better support for victims of trafficking in Scotland, together with a presumption against the prosecution of victims for crimes committed as part of the trafficking experience. Amnesty also applauded the Committee’s call for a robust approach to prosecuting the traffickers who profit from the trade in, and exploitation of, human beings through efforts to increase Scotland’s disappointing conviction rate for trafficking offences.John Watson, Scottish Programme Director for Amnesty International, said: “Our own research suggests that this modern day slave trade is taking place around Scotland.“The Committee has produced a thorough examination of this extremely serious problem and sets out a clear and really positive way forward in dealing with this appalling crime. We look forward to a renewed effort from the Scottish Government in response”.[Ekk/4]

A new web resource for Catholics experiencing domestic abuse has been launched by the Catholic Bishops'Conference of England and Wales.A new web resource for Catholics experiencing domestic abuse has been launched by the Catholic Bishops'Conference of England and Wales Domestic Abuse Working Group.The aim of CEDAR (Catholics Experiencing Domestic Abuse Resources) is to create an environment within the Catholic community in which domestic abuse is understood and recognised as unacceptable and where appropriate responses are available.The Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, David McGough said:"Domestic abuse is possibly the most widespread and yet most hidden form of abuse in society today and I know from many years experience as a parish priest that our own Catholic Community is no exception."From our point of view, the bishops of England and Wales, we are quite clear in our understanding as to why this resource is so necessary and the roots from which our concerns spring."First and foremost, domestic abuse is not tolerated because the inherent dignity of every individual is something that is rooted in nature. For those of faith there is a vision that each and every person is formed in the image and likeness of God. That image and likeness is to be cherished and safeguarded."The Church's teaching over many years is that the home is the place where that precious image is developed; is safeguarded. But in situations where that is not the case, we do first of all need to recognise that where abuse is occurring; we need to listen to the victims. Often it will be the parish priest who will be approached; that's not to say that the parish priest is the only person who could be approached; it could be the leader of any organisation or anyone in the parish who is a part of the community."The CEDAR website is aimed at all those who serve in any capacity in the Church; it recognises that domestic abuse is not just between spouses but also impacts elderly people being cared for by family members. It features a range of existing resources as well as new resources developed specifically for this initiative. These include a series of podcasts, featuring, among others, Archbishop Bernard Longley, who affirms the Church's position on domestic abuse.In addition to raising awareness about the CEDAR website - Elizabeth Davies, Marriage and Family Life Project Officer - would like to see the new CEDAR door stickers put up inside every church toilet door throughout England and Wales. The stickers highlight the new CEDAR website address and the National Domestic Abuse helpline number. She also hopes that parish volunteers will be equipped with the new CEDAR prayer cards which again highlight the Domestic Abuse helpline number and web resources.[Ekk/4]

The UK housing charity Shelter has warned of a rise in homelessness as new research reveals the number of households in rent or mortgage arrears has more than doubled in the past year.The UK housing charity Shelter has today (14 December 2010) warned of a rise in homelessness as new research reveals the number of households in rent or mortgage arrears has more than doubled in the past year.A YouGov survey of more than 2,000 Britons found the equivalent of 835,000 households (three per cent) admit to being in arrears with their rent or mortgage, compared to 405,000 households (two per cent) in October 2009.Worryingly, households with children are most at risk (five per cent). Shelter estimates that more than 480,000 children are currently living in families that are falling behind with their basic housing costs.The survey also showed increasing numbers of people fighting to stay afloat, as 3.7 million households (15 per cent) said they constantly struggle to pay their rent or mortgage, an increase of almost double since October last year (eight per cent).With recent government figures showing the first sustained increase in homelessness since 2003, Shelter is warning that homelessness could be set to soar in 2011 as Government cuts to housing benefit and support for homeowners - along with predicted job losses and increases in living costs - push thousands of struggling households over the edge.Shelter’s Chief Executive Campbell Robb said:"This research paints a disturbing picture of sharply rising numbers of people who face a daily struggle just to keep a roof over their heads."With tough times ahead and homelessness already on the rise, we’re extremely concerned that this could be the beginning of a surge in the numbers of people losing their homes next year."The UK housing charity Shelter is alarmed at recent Government proposals to reduce the rights of homeless people by placing them in insecure tenancies in the private rented sector, removing the stability that is so vital for homeless people trying to get back on their feet.Mr Robb continued: ‘It is unbelievable that at a time when every two minutes someone faces the nightmare of losing their home, the Government is proposing to reduce the rights of homeless people who approach their local authorities for help.‘We urge the Government to think again about the cumulative effects of its policies on people who are at real risk of losing their homes.’[Ekk/4]

The Botswana government has flouted a court victory which saw the Kalahari Bushmen win the right to live on their ancestral lands.Four years on from a court victory which saw the Kalahari Bushmen win the right to live on their ancestral lands, the Botswana government has issued a statement flouting the ruling.In 2002, the Botswana government forcibly evicted the Bushmen from their ancestral lands inside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. On December 13, 2006, after the longest and most expensive legal battle in the country’s history, Botswana’s High Court ruled that the government had forcibly evicted the Bushmen from their lands illegally and unconstitutionally.However, since the ruling, the government has continued to prevent the Bushmen from returning home, and has issued a statement that flies in the face of the High Court judgment.In the statement, the government claims that it"does not force [the Bushmen] to move out of the Game Reserve", and that the Bushmen"have welcomed the developments at their new settlements". However, the court found that the Bushmen"were dispossessed of the land they occupied, wrongfully and unlawfully and without their consent."The statement also argues that the government has provided the Bushmen with"developments at their new settlements, such as the provision of educational and medical facilities, and numerous other opportunities, for improving their quality of life."Yet 13 years after the main resettlement camp was created, virtually no Bushmen have found permanent employment, and alcoholism and disease are rife. As one of the judges said,""[The government] might want to consider whether the disappearance of a people isn’t too high a price to pay for offering services at a centralised location".Despite the court finding that the"simultaneous stoppage of the supply of food rations and the issuing of [hunting licences] is tantamount to condemning the remaining residents of the [reserve] to death by starvation", the government has banned the Bushmen from accessing water or hunting for food on their own lands. Its statement accuses the Bushmen of"poaching"on their own lands, arguing that this has led to"a decline of all species in the reserve", even though there is no evidence for this.The government statement also criticises Survival, (the international NGO for the rights of indigenous peoples) arguing that the organisation"wants [the Bushmen] to live a life of poverty and disease’"However, one of the judges praised Survival for giving"courage and support to a people who historically were too weak economically and politically to question decisions affecting them".Survival’s director, Stephen Corry, said today,"The Botswana government is now just repeating the same old stuff it said in 2002, and which was proved to be a complete fabrication. It’s not just Survival which said the Government had made it all up, countless independent journalists who visited the area confirmed it. The government is trying to clear the Bushmen off their lands for diamond mining and tourism, it’s as simple as that. It’s been trying for thirteen years and might succeed. Survival will intensify its calls for boycotts of diamonds and tourism. Let the consumer decide if he or she wants to be party to the destruction of the Bushmen."[Ekk/4]

The political journalist and comentator Will Hutton will give the keynote address at a day conference hosted by the Joint Public Issues Team on 22 January 2011.The political journalist and comentator Will Hutton will give the keynote address at a day conference hosted by the Joint Public Issues Team of the United Reformed Church, Methodist Church, and Baptist Union of Great Britain on 22 January 2011. The closing address will be given by the Rev Dr Kirsty Thorpe, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church.The conference - Poverty of Ambition? Churches and a Politics of Hope - will look at how churches can engage with contemporary political issues and is for everyone: policy professionals, enthusiasts and people who simply want to know more and who have a passion for social justice.A particular focus during the conference will be how churches can respond to the cuts announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review and how this relates to the coalition’s concept of Big Society.Workshop topics will include:• What do our churches and politicians believe about poverty?• Acting on debt - practical suggestions for churches• Climate change - international agreement or technological change?• Peacemaking - nationally, locally, internationally• Big society - opportunity or threat?• Practical hints for lobbying your MP• How do I get my church interested in public issues?[Ekk/4]

1,000 people in Hong Kong joined a celebration by Christian groups and others for imprisoned Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo, coinciding with the ceremony in Oslo.Around 1,000 people in Hong Kong joined a celebration co-organised by Christian groups to honour imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo in an event coinciding with the Nobel ceremony in Oslo.The Hong Kong Christian Institute and the local Roman Catholic Justice and Peace Commission organised the gathering with non-governmental groups to commend Liu, urging Beijing to release him and other political prisoners on 10 December 2010.Liu has been imprisoned since 2009 as part of an 11–year sentence for"inciting the subversion of State power"."Beijing should know that to confer the Nobel Peace Prize on Mr Liu is not to confront the Chinese people. Human rights are universal values, and should be abided by all,"Catholic Hong Kong legislator Alan Leong Kah-kit told ENInews at the Hong Kong meeting.China claims that 100 countries have backed its refusal to acknowledge the award, which is unknown to most of its citizens vecause of the media blackout on the issue within the country. Sixteen nations did not send representatives to the ceremony.In Beijing, residents avoided making controversial statements to journalists. “If the Nobel Peace Prize contributes to peace then is means something,” said a 48-year old cultural exchange manager to Euronews. “But if it’s just for one group or country’s interests, then it means nothing and we’ll ignore it.”Another man giving his name as Mr Gao accepted that “in terms of human rights, China and the West have different opinions. There is conflict but I hope that in the future there will be more mutual understanding and mutual acceptance but this will take time.”ENI News (www.eni.ch) contributed to this report[Ekk/3]