世界的なキリスト教団体が安倍政権の憲法第９条“再解釈”に反対表明

　世界のほとんどのキリスト教の教会・教派が加盟する「世界教会協議会（WCC）」は７月７日、ジュネーブの本部で開いた中央委員会で、「日本国憲法第９条の再解釈についての声明」を採択し、安倍政権が進める集団的自衛権解禁に反対し、「日本政府が紛争を解決する手段として、非暴力を堅持する日本国憲法第９条の文言および精神の双方を尊び、大切にすることを勧告する。日本政府が自国の憲法第９条を変更、あるいは再解釈を求める外的圧力におもねることがないように奨励する」との立場を表明した。

　同委員会はまた「非核世界の実現を求める声明」も採択し、この地上からあらゆる核（核兵器、原子力エネルギー、原発）を取り除くことを要求した。

　WCCの事務総長に当たるオラフ・トゥヴェイト総幹事は、日本関連のこの２つの声明を携えて８月１日から７日まで訪日、広島、東京、仙台を訪れて関係者にその趣旨を訴えることにしている。

★WCC公式サイト：http://www.oikoumene.org/en

★WCC/Wikipedia：http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/世界教会協議会

　集団的自衛権反対の声明全文は以下の通り。

Statement on the Re-interpretation of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution

07 July 2014

  The 1947 Japanese Constitution has been hailed around the world for many decades as a “Peace Constitution”. Article 9 is an apology for the military dominance and aggression of Japan in the 20th century, and the aspiration for a democratic state striving for lasting peace. Indeed, its Article 9 is a forward-looking pacifist clause that prohibits an act of war by the state. According to Article 9, the state renounces war as a sovereign right, rejects settlement of international disputes through the use of force and does not allow for armed forces to wage war.

  After World War II, Japanese churches and organizations have worked hard to uphold the “Peace Constitution” in hope that Japan would become a truly peaceful nation. The image of post-war Japan as a peace-loving nation has been a diplomatic asset for decades and its non-military contributions have been received positively in different parts of the world. The peace policy helped Japan to re-develop relationships with neighbouring states, and has also worked to prevent conflicts in the region.

  The recent decision by the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Cabinet to re-interpret Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution in order to allow Japan to exercise collective self-defence with allies goes against this decades-long peace heritage which has been a model for many countries worldwide. We recall recent proposals to develop collective and non-military cooperative peace and security arrangements in the region, which we affirm as a move in the right direction.

  Renunciation of war is the oath by post World War II Japan not to repeat its mistakes. The tragic history of women throughout East Asia who have been forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II is one of the constant reminders of the abhorrence of war and its destructive impact on the lives of innocent and vulnerable people. Changing the interpretation of Article 9 can therefore have serious consequences internationally. We look for Japan to provide leadership for stability in Northeast Asia, rather than yielding to pressure from allies and adversaries.

  To the eyes of peace-loving Japanese people and churches, this decision to allow the exercise of collective self-defence is perceived as an outrage. It is clearly prohibited by the Japanese Constitution.

  The central committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, 2-8 July 2014, therefore:

  Expresses its grave concern at the direction indicated by the Japanese government’s initiative to reinterpret or change article 9 of the constitution, and its impact on regional security, on the positive example provided by this constitutional prohibition, and on efforts towards global peace and non-violence;

  Calls on the Japanese government to honour and respect both the letter and the spirit of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution which upholds non-violence as a means to settle disputes;

  Urges the government of Japan to live up to its “Peace Constitution” and build non-military collective peace and security agreements with all neighbouring states in Northeast Asia;

  Encourages the Japanese government not to surrender to external pressures to change or re-interpret Article 9 of their Constitution; Invites member churches to accompany the struggles of peace-loving Japanese people and churches in prayer.