Free the Captives: Witness Against Illegal Detention and Torture

Christian Peacemaker Norman Kember arrived home today, giving his first public statement after over 16 weeks in captivity. After a day of rest, his colleagues Jim Loney and Harmeet Sooden began planning their trips back to Canada and New Zealand, respectively. Meanwhile media speculation abounds again regarding the circumstances of Tom Fox's death, who was held with them since November 26, 2005. Fox's life and work were commemorated today at a memorial in Baghdad.

"There is a real sense in which you are interviewing the wrong person," said Norman Kember today.

It is the ordinary people of Iraq that you should be talking to – the people who have suffered so much over many years and still await the stable and just society that they deserve.

Another group that I hope you do not forget are the relatives of British soldiers killed or wounded in Iraq.

I do not believe that a lasting peace is achieved by armed force, but I pay tribute to their courage and thank those who played a part in my release.

As Jim Loney prepares for his own trip home, a friend said Jim is worried about coping with the demanding media coverage, even though he "wants to tell the story... this is now a burden for him coming home."

Two British papers report today that the killing of Tom Fox may have been related to an escape attempt. While these details may prove out, we do not want to fuel excessive speculation on this, and stand by Tom's family in asking for restraint until the results of Tom's autopsy are available.

Christian Peacemaker Teams commemorated Tom in Baghdad today by erecting funeral banners at the site where his body was found, according to an Iraqi tradition:

After careful consultation with Iraqis, they have painted the following words on the large black banners, in Arabic:

"In memory of Tom Fox in this place. Christian Peacemaker Teams declares, 'We are for God and we are from God.'To those who held him we declare God has forgiven you."

The first sentence notes the place of his body. The second sentence is a traditional condolence from the Quran. The third sentence echoes of Jesus' cry from the Cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). It is also in keeping with the local understanding that people do not forgive, only God can forgive. [...]

After the service, the team was sharing with an Iraqi friend their concern for Tom's children and their regrets that any children that they might have will never know their grandfather. The friend replied, "Tom is a hero. It will be an honour for those children to have a grandfather who died in this way and to tell their children about him. I never met anyone like you people who would come here, at this time, to people whom you don't know. You are angels."

"I now need to reflect on my experience," said Norman Kember at the end of his statement today, "...and also to enjoy freedom in peace and quiet." There is much for us all to reflect on; may we join Norman for some "freedom in peace and quiet," mindful of the communities torn apart by war.