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Letter from Mel Duncan - Executive Director Nonviolent Peaceforce 26 June 2009 I am happy to report that Umar Jaleel who was kidnapped in Mindanao on 13 February has arrived back in Sri Lanka and has reunited with his family. This has been a long and difficult experience. We are grateful to see Jaleel safe and back in Sri Lanka with his loved ones. We are thankful to the staff of NP-Philippines for working tirelessly to secure Jaleel’s release and also for supporting him after his release on 3 June. We are also grateful to the staff of NP-Sri Lanka for working to support Jaleel’s family during this trying time, and for receiving and supporting Jaleel and his family upon his arrival in Sri Lanka. Jaleel’s safe return was a concerted and coordinated effort by many people working on multiple levels. We extend our thanks to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and its forces in Basilan, the Moro National Liberation Front, the crisis management committee of Basilan, the Provincial Governor of Basilan, the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, Bangsamoro Development Agency and the Yakan Integrated Resources Development Center, Basilan for their cooperation during Jaleel's captivity.   Below is a photograph taken early Saturday morning at the Colombo airport. With great appreciation to Jaleel for his courage and dedication, and with continued hope and resolve. Mel Duncan Click here to read previous posts about Umar Jaleel.
Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is an unarmed, paid civilian peacekeeping force that is invited to work in conflict zones worldwide. NP is sent to conflict areas to prevent death and destruction and protect human rights, thus creating the space for local groups to struggle nonviolently, enter into dialogue and seek peaceful resolution. Its members include veterans of conflict zones and experienced peacekeepers. With its international headquarters in Brussels and administrative office in Minneapolis, NP has worked in the conflict areas of Sri Lanka as well as the Philippines and Guatemala.
The European Parliament-commissioned report Nonviolent Civic Action in Support of Human Rights and Democracy has recently been released. In its review of nonviolent international actions initiatives, the study quotes the work undertaken by NP in protective accompaniment. It particularly highlights NP’s programmes in Sri Lanka and Philippines and how "they work with local activists, building confidence to take action for peace and human rights". On May 30th the report will be presented in the European Parliament (EP) sub-committee for Human Rights and will then be available on the EP website.
Remembering artist and NP volunteer Tom Kennedy The people of Nonviolent Peaceforce were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of our friend Tom Kennedy, who drowned on April 12 while bodysurfing near San Francisco. Tom touched countless hearts in his forty-eight years with his joyful creative spirit, heartfelt activism, and infectious enthusiasm for life. After helping to launch the Art Car movement in the 1990s, Tom joined the Bay Area chapter of NP in 2003 and helped lead the effort to secure corporate support for our first field project in Sri Lanka. When NP was in search of a slogan, it was Tom who captured our mission brilliantly with "What to say YES to when you say NO to war." It served as our tagline and the best expression of our organizational vision for five years. Our hearts go out to Tom's wife and creative collaborator Haideen Anderson in this difficult time. To learn more about Tom's art and activism, visit www.tomkennedyart.com. Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is seeking an Executive Director to be located in the international office in Brussels, Belgium. Read more about the position and how to apply.
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