We are increasingly aware that militarism and greed can overwhelm and undermine movements to secure human rights. The Church is called to be an advocate for the human rights of all persons in the political, social, and economic quest for justice and peace. As people of faith and hope, we commend those trends that contribute positively to the human rights movement. The United Methodist Church endorses and supports the work of Amnesty International. It has provided valuable resources through its documentation of political imprisonments, tortures, and killings involving governments, militaries, police forces, para-military groups, and political movements.
Human rights require the preservation of religious liberty and freedom of conscience.
We call upon all governments to accept their obligation to uphold human rights by refraining from repression, torture, and violence against any person. We further call upon all governments to ratify and implement international conventions, covenants, and protocols addressing human rights in the context of justice and peace. We call the Church to be a place of refuge for those who experience the violation of their human rights.