The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is lending his support to an Amnesty International appeal for Reverend Bienvenido Samba Momessori, a clergyman imprsioned in Equatorial Guinea for his peaceful political views.

In an article in this week's New Statesman, the Dr Williams attacks 'The ongoing scandal of imprisonment without trial as a sanction against peaceful dissidents or ethnic minorities,’ and adds: ‘To let this go unchallenged in any area is to sell the pass for universal justice. And that is not an option for any religious person, or indeed anyone who thinks human dignities and liberties are more than a local arrangement for the convenience of the prosperous.’

He warns of the danger religious leaders face as they can be caught in conflicts between 'minority ethnic groups and arbitrary national administrations, from the old South Africa to East Timor…They deserve support from believers and unbelievers alike.’

‘The energy for political liberation and the health of civil society depends massively on the churches in a great number of divided and deprived nations.’

Mr Samba, pastor of the Church of Cherubs and Seraphs, was arrested on 26 October 2003. He is being held in Evinayong Prison in Equatorial Guinea without charge or trial. Conditions are harsh: provision of food remains inadequate in all prisons in Equatorial Guinea Amnesty International believes he was arrested solely on grounds of his known, peaceful political opinions and ethnic origin, and considers him to be a prisoner of conscience. Further information can be found at: www.amnesty.org.uk/samba

Item from: Lambeth Palace