Kidnapped Nonviolent Peaceforce Civilian Peacekeeper Release...(peace and coexistence. NP supports the ...),Health

"We are glad that Jaleel and his family will be reunited in Sri Lanka in the very near future," added Duncan.

Atif Hameed, a native of Pakistan and country director for the NP Philippine project, worked on the ground using nonviolent strategies.

"Atif and his staff did an excellent job monitoring the events and working with our partners in supporting Jaleel," continued Duncan.

Jaleel, an experienced Sri Lankan peaceworker and a Muslim, is widely admired and respected in the area of Basilan, where he is working. He began working for NP in 2004 in Sri Lanka to resolve disputes among communities in the Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka. Last October, he was asked to begin working in the Philippines to help improve Muslim-Christian relations and support local peace organizations and structures of peace to consolidate peace processes. His efforts helped to strengthen the role of local civil society organizations and peace advocates in monitoring a fragile ceasefire between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and various armed groups on the island of Basilan.

About Nonviolent Peaceforce

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP, www.NonviolentPeaceforce.org) is an unarmed, paid civilian peacekeeping force that is invited to work in conflict zones worldwide. NP is sent to conflict areas to prevent death and destruction and protect human rights, thus creating the space for local groups to struggle nonviolently, enter into dialogue and seek peaceful resolution. Its members include veterans of conflict zones and experienced peacekeepers. With its international headquarters in Bruss
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