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The value of human life is priceless, and decisions about life or death cannot be delegated to machines, stated a faith-based dialogue on lethal autonomous weapons at the United Nations in Geneva on 27 August.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has newly published resources for the 2024 World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, to be observed 16-22 September. This week includes the UN International Day of Peace on 21 September, now in its 25th year.

The war in Gaza continues, with the number of lives lost growing by the day and with an immanent risk of further escalation of war and conflict across the region. On 7 August, a delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) accompanied by partners from the Middle East Council of Churches, ACT Alliance, and Caritas Internationalis, heard the witness of some of those for whom this war has become a daily reality.  

World Council of Churches moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay met on 7 August with the parents of Layan Nasir, a 24-year-old Palestinian Anglican student held in administrative detention by Israeli authorities – without formal charges – since April 2024. 

On 19 July, the International Court of Justice delivered an advisory opinion on Israel’s presence in the Palestinian land occupied since the 1967 war, saying that Israel’s rule in the territory is unlawful.

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed grave concern over the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East. “The situation has deteriorated significantly following the attack on Golan Heights, the subsequent Israeli attack in Beirut, and the assassination in Tehran on 30 July,” he said. “These attacks have not only intensified the conflict but have also entailed violations of the sovereignty of multiple nations.”

Upon news that three civil society leaders were taken out of a plane at the Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare, were tortured, then released to the police the following day, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reiterated the WCC’s condemnation of all forms of torture and clampdown on civil society.  

The World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed solidarity with the people and churches of Sri Lanka as they welcomed a recent decision by the Sri Lankan Supreme Court to hold presidential elections later this year. 

Ahead of the International AIDS Conference from 22-26 July at the Messe München in Germany, faith leaders, faith-based organizations, and faith actors gathered for a two-day interfaith pre-conference themed “Sustaining Hope for All – Through 2030 and Beyond."

The 56th UN Human Rights Council, which concluded on 12 July, adopted 25 resolutions related to children, climate, health, and more. 

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay welcomed positive developments in ongoing talks between the warring parties in Sudan.