Today, the British Humanist Association (BHA) is participating in the National Memorial for Humanitarian Aid Workers wreath-laying ceremony to remember humanitarian aid workers who have lost their lives in the service of others.
The memorial ceremony takes place at the Memorial for Innocent Victims at Westminster Abbey and is organised by a coalition of human rights and aid charities including SOS Bosina, MAG, WarChild, CARE International and Save the Children UK. The ceremony is part World Humanitarian Day, an international event profiling humanitarian heroes all walks of life, who are committed to making a difference, inspiring humanitarian work around the world, which takes place on 19 August, the day in 2003 when 22 aid workers were killed in a bombing at the UN headquarters in Baghdad. The wreath-laying is preceded by a religious service in Westminster Abbey, which the BHA will not be attending.
BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson will lay the wreath in remembrance of humanists and non-religious people who lost their lives delivering humanitarian aid around the world, including some of the BHA’s own members. He commented: ‘Humanitarian workers, regardless of religion or belief, dedicate their lives to the service of others, and some pay the ultimate price for their service. The BHA is entering into the spirit of remembrance in support of universal human rights and we remember all who give their lives for a better world, selflessly, in defence of those rights.’
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For further comment or information contact Andrew Copson, 020 3675 0959, chiefexec@humanists.uk
About World Humanitarian Day
World Humanitarian Day falls on 19 August, the day in 2003 when 22 aid workers were killed in a bombing at the UN headquarters in Baghdad. It’s a day to commemorate all people who have lost their lives in humanitarian service and to celebrate the spirit that inspires humanitarian work around the world.
www.rememberinghumanitarians.org.uk
About the British Humanist Association
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.