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Posted 1:02 AM by Mary

AHA Passes Resolutions: Humanists Promote International Cooperation(Washington, DC)

"At a time when the White House dismisses the role of theUnited Nations as irrelevant, the need for international cooperation isespecially critical," states Fred Edwords, Editorial Director of theAmerican Humanist Association."Humanists recognize the need for stronger international responses andunited actions to prevent and respond to crimes against humanity. The raging genocide in Darfur, Sudan, illustrates the need for a swift, strong, and just international response. The international rule of law must have a mechanism for evaluating potential acts of genocide and other preventable crimes against humanity," adds Edwords.

In pursuit of establishing the highest ethical principles as standards for the international rule of law, the AHA urges the United States to join theInternational Criminal Court in a resolution passed this weekend. The International Criminal Court is vital to global justice and would enforcereal consequences for crimes against humanity." In order for world peace to ever be realized a strong system of consequences must be implemented. The International Criminal Court sends the message to the world: that those involved will be held responsible for atrocities," continues Edwords.

The AHA also unanimously passed a resolution in support of the UN MillenniumDevelopment Goals. The MDGs stand in stark contrast to the Bush Administration's "go it alone strategy," continues Edwords. The resolution states, "Humanists recognize that it's the obligation of every nation to build a safer, more prosperous, and equitable world." Even the U.S.'s MDG awareness campaign is largely faith-based and excludes family planning andreproductive health organizations. Furthermore, the Bush administration suggested that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, should take a reprieve from issuing grants. This action raises concerns that delaying funds to combat HIV/AIDS, which is one of the eight goals of theMDGs, will cost lives. "The MDGs represent the first step toward a worldwhere the inherent worth and dignity is a real achievable objective forevery person," Edwords concludes.

Please see the resolutions below:AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION ON THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT November 2004~ Albuquerque, NM

The twentieth century was perhaps the most violent in history as genocide and ethnic hatred raged. Recognition for stronger international responses and united actions to prevent and respond to crimes against humanity is needed. Modern genocide exemplifies the need for a swift, strong, and just international response. The international rule of law must have a mechanism for reviewing possible acts of genocide and other preventable crimes against humanity.

WHEREAS Humanists believe in the peaceful adjudication of differences by international courts; and WHEREAS, genocide, acts of terrorism, war crimes, and other crimes against humanity are too often committed with impunity; WHEREAS, the AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION asserts that an effective international court is necessary to bring justice to the perpetrators ofthese terrible crimes; WHEREAS, the International Criminal Court is bound to the same standards of independence, and fairness as those in proficient national court systems; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION, in pursuit of establishing the highest ethical principles as standards for the international rule of law, urges the United States to join the InternationalCriminal Court.

AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION ON THE UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS November 2004 ~ Albuquerque, NM

Humanists recognize that the problems of economic growth and development can no longer be resolved by one nation alone; they are worldwide in scope. It is the obligation of every nation to build a safer, more prosperous, and equitable world.WHEREAS the AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION affirms the notion that societies should not evaluate themselves by rhetoric or ideology, but by whether or not they increase the well being for all individuals and groups, minimize poverty and hardship, increase the sum of human satisfaction, and enhance the quality of life; WHEREAS Humanists recognize the global community's shared ethical responsibility to achieve the basic needs that lay the foundation for a sustainable society; WHEREAS all 191 nations in the United Nations have pledged their commitmentto achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals by 2015; WHEREAS Humanists recognize the individual importance of the Millennium Development Goals which are: to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development; BE IT RESOLVED that the AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION supports the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals.

Posted 1:00 AM by Mary

His Excellency Mr. John C. DANFORTH,
United States Mission to the United Nations
779 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
November 15, 2004
Dear Permanent Representative to the UN,
In advance of the UN Security Council meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, we are writing to bring
to your attention the urgency of the situation in Darfur. Despite international
condemnation, the Government of Sudan continues to tolerate or sponsor attacks,
rapes, forced evictions, abductions, and murder of its citizens. The situation has
become especially volatile in the past month with Government forces encircling camps
set up for those internally displaced by the conflict and denying access to UN aid
agencies and other humanitarian groups. The Government appears determined to force
those displaced by the conflict back to villages that remain uninhabitable.
On November 4th, Secretary-General Annan reported to the Security Council on the
situation in Darfur. He concluded that there is “strong evidence” that war crimes and
crimes against humanity have occurred on a “large and systematic scale.” The
Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sudan, Jan Pronk, echoed this
conclusion and predicted that Darfur could “enter a state of anarchy; a total collapse of
law and order” as a result of the deteriorating security situation in the region. The
Security Council must act quickly to prevent further chaos and suffering.
We commend the Security Council for its stated commitment to bringing peace to
Sudan, especially its decision to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate
allegations of violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Darfur.
We are concerned that the Security Council’s actions to date will be rendered
meaningless if it does not take additional action to address a deteriorating security and
humanitarian crisis that represents a grave threat to international peace and security in
the region.
We welcome the November 10th accords signed by the Government of Sudan and rebel
forces. The agreements to ease the delivery of humanitarian aid and to accept a no-fly
zone over the Darfur region represent important preliminary steps in the right direction,
but they should not be regarded as either a comprehensive solution or a substitute for
further international action. Both sides have violated previous agreements – most
notably the April ceasefire. Attacks by Government forces on the IDP camps have
continued despite the agreements.
Only the Security Council can ensure that both the Government and the rebels honor the
new accords and take necessary additional steps to end the violence and suffering.
We call upon members of the Security Council to use their upcoming meeting in Nairobi
on November 18-19 to adopt a new resolution that will:
1. Give the African Union force in Sudan a mandate under Chapter VII of the UN
Charter to protect civilians and enforce the ceasefire;
2. Authorize enforcement of the no-fly zone over the Darfur region;
3. Impose an immediate arms embargo on the Government of Sudan and rebel
forces and implement specific sanctions (including economic sanctions) against
the government and any associated individuals or businesses ;
4. Put in place plans to refer the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal
Court if the Commission of Inquiry finds that war crimes, crimes against
humanity, or genocide have taken place in Darfur.
The United Nations can and must ensure that the world does not once again knowingly
turn its back on genocide. Ten years ago, the international community failed to respond
to what was happening in Rwanda. The lack of action was grossly irresponsible and
represented one of the most shameful episodes in the history of the United Nations.
Please do not let history repeat itself. Please ensure that future generations will not be
ashamed of the United Nation’s response to Darfur. Please help bring peace to the
region and stop the ongoing humanitarian disaster. Please act before as many as one
million civilians perish.
Sincerely,
Kenneth H. Bacon
President
Refugees International
Salih Booker
Executive Director
Africa Action
Tony Hileman
Executive Director
American Humanist Association et al.

cc: United States Secretary of State, Colin L. Powellv

Posted 11:50 PM by Mary

Dear Permanent Representative to the UN,

In advance of the UN Security Council meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, we are writing to bring to your attention the urgency of the situation in Darfur. Despite international condemnation, the Government of Sudan continues to tolerate or sponsor attacks, rapes, forced evictions, abductions, and murder of its citizens. The situation has become especially volatile in the past month with Government forces encircling camps set up for those internally displaced by the conflict and denying access to UN aid agencies and other humanitarian groups. The Government appears determined to force those displaced by the conflict to villages that remain uninhabitable.

On November 4th, Secretary-General Annan reported to the Security Council on the situation in Darfur. He concluded that there is “strong evidence” that war crimes and crimes against humanity have occurred on a “large and systematic scale.” The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sudan, Jan Pronk, echoed this conclusion and predicted that Darfur could “enter a state of anarchy; a total collapse of law and order” as a result of the deteriorating security situation in the region. The Security Council must act quickly to prevent further chaos and suffering.

We commend the Security Council for its stated commitment to bringing peace to Sudan, especially its decision to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations of violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Darfur. We are concerned that the Security Council’s actions to date will be rendered meaningless if it does not take additional action to address a deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis that represents a grave threat to international peace and security in the region.

We welcome the November 10th accords signed by the Government of Sudan and rebel forces. The agreements to ease the delivery of humanitarian aid and to accept a no-fly zone over the Darfur region represent important preliminary steps in the right direction, but they should not be regarded as either a comprehensive solution or a substitute for further international action. Both sides have violated previous agreements – most notably the April ceasefire. Attacks by Government forces on the IDP camps have continued despite the agreements.

Only the Security Council can ensure that both the Government and the rebels honor the new accords and take necessary additional steps to end the violence and suffering.
We call upon members of the Security Council to use their upcoming meeting in Nairobi on November 18-19 to adopt a new resolution that will:

1. Give the African Union force in Sudan a mandate under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to protect civilians and enforce the ceasefire;
2. Authorize enforcement of the no-fly zone over the Darfur region by NATO forces;
3. Impose an immediate arms embargo on the Government of Sudan and rebel forces and implement specific sanctions (including economic sanctions) against the government and any associated individuals or businesses ;
4. Put in place plans to refer the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court if the Commission of Inquiry finds that war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide have taken place in Darfur.

The United Nations can and must ensure that the world does not once again knowingly turn its back on genocide. Ten years ago, the international community failed to respond to what was happening in Rwanda. The lack of action was grossly irresponsible and represented one of the most shameful episodes in the history of the United Nations.

Please do not let history repeat itself. Please ensure that future generations will not be ashamed of the United Nation’s response to Darfur. Please help bring peace to the region and stop the ongoing humanitarian disaster. Please act before as many as one million civilians perish.

Sincerely,

Charles J. Brown
President & CEO of Global Solutions.
globalsolutions.org
http://advocacy.globalsolutions.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Petition_Darfur_Aug04

[American Humanist Association endorses]

Posted 8:56 PM by Mary

Statement on Darfur, Sudan
National Service Conference, American Ethical Union
November 13, 2004

We, the members of the National Service Conference
of the American Ethical Union, honoring the inherent
worth and dignity of all human beings, in the name of our
common humanity, express our deepest concern for the violence
done to so many innocent people during this ongoing crisis in
Sudan. We are deeply distressed by the inability of the family of
sovereign states to stop this genocide.

We believe that pressure should be brought on the Sudanese Government to
abide by the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the
Crime of Genocide, which has been ratified by most nations, include the Sudan.
We ask for pressure on the Sudanese government to allow massive humanitarian
aid to reach the displaced population.

Finally, and most importantly, there should be pressure to allow
the African Union troops to directly protect civilians, rather than merely
monitoring peace agreements between warring parties. We urge
all able governments to provide logistical support to the African
Union's troops. We ask that the world's attention focus on this
ongoing crisis and take all available measures to swiftly
end these killings and atrocities.

Rose Walker, President Emeritus
Martha Gallahue, President
Lydon Wilburg, First Vice President
Lucille Kleiman, Second Vice President
Phyllis Ehrenfeld, Secretary
Kurt Johnson, Treasurer
Sylvan Ehrenfeld, IHEU, final editor of draft.

Posted 11:27 PM by Mary

In Election Aftermath Humanists Defend Secular Morality
For Immediate Release Contact Roy Speckhardt at (202) 238-9088 -
rspeckhardt@americanhumanist.org -
http://www.americanhumanist.org/ (Washington, DC)

Less than a week after Senator John Kerry conceded, the knee-jerk reactions have somewhat subsided, and those disappointed with the outcome are now analyzing ways to broaden their appeal. "The Democrats did strengthen their base in this election- in the secular vote," stated Tony Hileman, executive director of the American Humanist Association. "And now Humanists have a unique opportunity to advance naturally derived ethics as a progressive alternative to divinely inspired morality."
John Green, professor of political science at the University of Akron observed, "The Democratic Party has relied on secular or nonaffiliated voters for a few elections now." John Kerry openly discussed his faith and Catholic upbringing, but regularly drew a clear boundary between his personal beliefs and his duty as a representative of a diverse populace. So it follows that, as Kim Lawton of PBS Religion and Ethics Weekly noted, when it comes to the seculars, "Kerry got overwhelmingly the majority of that vote: seventy percent.""Kerry won the secular vote based on the values of fairness, tolerance, and social justice. If Democrats leave these principles behind it will only further weaken their base - Humanists and progressive religious Americans can't be left behind," added Hileman. The twenty-two percent of voters who cited moral values as the most important issue in the election voted overwhelmingly for George W. Bush. To Humanists who equate morality with a reasoned compassion and commitment to egalitarianism and justice - values that Bush appears to lack - this polling result is perplexing."
But the Religious Right has manipulated 'morality' into something synonymous with religious fundamentalism and hijacked the definition ofvalues," continued Hileman. "These redefined 'traditional moral values' are being applied in new and unintended ways to further political ambitions."
This election may seem like a victory for fundamentalists, but we must not respond by watering down our principles. If we did so, they would no longer be principles but political expediencies. Instead, we must use direct language that resonates with fair-minded Americans," concluded Hileman