Meet the 2003 Franciscans International delegation
to the Commission on Human Rights
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Ms. Lucy Almirañez SFO (The Philippines)
Serving as a member of the International
Board of Directors of Franciscans International and the International
Presidency of the Secular Franciscan Order, Lucy is experienced
in International Justice and Peace Issues. Through her participation
this year, she hopes to strengthen the program on human trafficking
the Secular Franciscans will launch in The Philippines.
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Br. Theo van den Broek OFM
(Indonesia)
One of the preeminent spokespersons
for peace and human rights in the West Papua, Indonesia, a
region of growing concern as a result of ongoing human rights
violations, Br. Theo’s advocacy at this year’s
Commission will no doubt draw much needed international attention
to the region.
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Br. Augustinus Diekmann OFM
(Germany)
The former Executive Director of Franciscans
International, Br. Augustinus is currently preparing for his
future ministry as Mission Director of the Saxonia Province
(OFM). The Province continues to support Franciscans
International. Following his 20 years working in Northeastern
Brazil, Br. Augustinus now works in Berlin and has close contact
with Missionszentrale der Franziskaner (MZF), which lobbies
the German government on issues of concern to Franciscans
worldwide.
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Br. Maria Antony Jegadhees
OFM Cap. (India)
As Director of CLARES, a legal assistance and
education agency in India, Br. Maria Antony travels to this
year's Commission with first-hand knowledge of the Indian
legal system. He will closely monitor the Commission's
activities on freedom of religion and the rights of minorities.
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Br. Joseph Koffi Sewedjro Legonou
OFM (Togo)
Based on his direct experience working
with trafficked women and domestic girls in Togo, Br. Joseph
will contribute to FI’s program on human trafficking
by offering the perspective of West African countries and
the challenges that they face. He will also meet with officials
from UNAIDS to explore a possible partnership.
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Sr. Charity Nkandu FMSA (Zambia)
Working with orphans as a result of
the AIDS pandemic and with victims of human trafficking, Sr.
Charity spoke at last year’s session of the UN Working
Group on Conteporary Forms of Slavery, where her statement
impacted the official report of the Group’s meeting.
Traveling from Ndola, Zambia, Sr. Charity will deliver a statement
at the Commission on the Rights of the Child.
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Ms. María Teresa Peña
(Colombia)
As a board member or the Interfranciscan
Commission for Justice and Peace in Colombia, María
Teresa hopes to build on the experience of FI’s partners
in Colombia who have traveled to the Commission in the past.
In particular, she hopes to draw attention to the escalating
violence in the region.
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Ms. Pilar Puertas (Mexico)
As a staff member of Franciscans International,
Mexico since 1998, Pilar initiates activities for the formation
and animation of Franciscans in Mexico through action alerts
on urgent situations and by organizing peace missions to regions
in conflict. This will be her first time participating in
the Commission.
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Br. Franjo Radman OFM (Bosnia)
Working on healing and reconciliation
between people in conflict in the former Yugoslavia, Br. Franjo
has collaborated with Franciscans International for the past
several years. His experiences in conflict situations will
undoubtedly inform Commission members and other participants.
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Br. Nithiya Sagayam OFM Cap.
(India)
The Executive Secretary of the Commission
for Justice, Peace and Development for the Catholic Bishop’s
Conference of India, Br. Nithya is responsible for coordinating
the human rights activities in 146 dioceses. He hopes to deepen
the human rights programs in India through his participation
in the Commission.
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Br. Samson Shukardin OFM (Pakistan)
Working as a lawyer in the Pakistani
court system, Br. Samson knows first-hand the reality of administration
of justice in the region, where people suffer due to the lack
of effective implementation of human rights. He will deliver
a statement during the Commission on religious discrimination.
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Sr. Joyce Yarrow CSF (England)
As Minister General of the Anglican Community
of St Francis, Sr. Joyce attended the Commission with particular
attention to the ongoing crisis in the Holy Land, having recently
visited the area. She hopes to return to the West Bank as
a volunteer for a month with the International Women's Peace
Service Project later this year.
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Br. Tesfay Debbas
Zewde OFM Cap. (Eritrea)
As President of the Justice, Peace and
Integrity of Creation Commission in the Province of St. Francis
in Eritrea, Br. Tesfay’s participation in this year’s
session of the Commission, especially in the area of civil
and political rights, will form him in international human
rights mechanisms.
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