United Nations to declare the practice of impeding the flow or free commerce of food
and medicines to be a crime against humanity.”
Furthermore, Resolution 302 at the
Conference urged governments to “stop military assistance and arms exports,”
particularly to the Middle East and North Africa, as part of a call for the entire region to
disarm and become a zone free of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.
In the case of the Iraq war, the UMC staunchly opposed the use of force. Associations
within the church, ranging from the Council of Bishops, General Board of Global
Ministries, and the General Board of Global Ministries to the United Methodist Women
and the World Methodist Youth Committee all issued statements and resolutions
decrying the decision to go to war against Iraq.
A major criticism focused on the issue of just cause. The denomination denied the
administration’s claim that the war was one of extended self-defense, and also rejected
that the need for regime change justified the violence. While acknowledging that
Saddam Hussein was an oppressive dictator and in violation of many United Nations
resolutions. Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher, President of the UM Council of
Bishops, declared in an open pastoral letter in October 2002 that “Without question,
Saddam Hussein is in gross violation of numerous United Nations resolutions,” and
called on the President to continue to work with the United Nations to seek a peaceful
22
2000 General Conference Resolution 273, Oppose Food and Medicine Blockades or Embargoes.
23
2000 General Conference Resolution 302, The Middle East and North Africa.
12
Convention