Human Rights

“As its fundamental premise, [the Universal Declaration of Human Rights] affirms that the recognition of the innate dignity of all members of the human family, as also the equality and inalienability of their rights, is the foundation of liberty, justice and peace in the world…” --Pope John Paul II, Celebration of the World Day of Peace, January 1, 1999.

Human Rights Day is held on December 10th, the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. --Education for Justice

Torture
The UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment refers to: “an act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person”, for a purpose such as obtaining information or a confession, punishment, intimidation or coercion, “or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind”. --Education for Justice

Women Rights
Women will increasingly play a part in the solution of the serious problems of the future: leisure time, the quality of life, migration, social services, euthanasia, drugs, health care, the ecology, etc. In all these areas a greater presence of women in society will prove most valuable...” --Letter of Pope John Paul II to Women, 1995, #1, 3

Urge the Senate to ratify the Treaty for the Rights of Women http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/ccmc/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=6902&t=treaty.dwt#emailsenator

Blood Diamonds
Natural resources, such as diamonds, have long fueled conflict in Africa, where over 4 million people are reported to have been killed by these “diamond” wars. – Adapted from Education for Justice
• Watch, Blood Diamonds http://blooddiamondmovie.warnerbros.com/

Websites to visit
• Human Rights Watch http://www.hrw.org/
• Commission on the Status of Women http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/
• The Center for Victims of Torture http://www.cvt.org/main.php
• Women for Women http://www.womenforwomen.org/index.htm
• USCCB http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/libertyind.shtml

Prayer

Lord God,
Make us peacemakers, lovers of life and of all people who stand up for rights that are compromised. Show us how to see violations against others just as we would see violations against our own selves. Teach us how to stand up and be lights for the world.

--Education for Justice

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Water > read more

Immigration/Migration/Refugees > read more

Migrant Deaths on US/Mexico Border > read more

Mountain Top Removal/Mining > read more

Common Good > read more

Peace > read more

Ecological Justice > read more

Death Penalty > read more

Human Rights > read more

Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery > read more

Health Care > read more

Fair Trade > read more

Unity/Reconciliation > read more

Responsible Investing > read more

Eradicate Poverty and Hunger > read more