Japan’s Shift in Defense Policy
Fr James J. Mylet, MM, describes the shift in military policy in Japan, where he lived for more than 40 years.
Pax Christi International Statement on Ukraine War Anniversary
This statement was first published by Pax Christi International on February 21 in anticipation of the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
Nuclear Risk Rising
With the Doomsday clock set to 90 seconds to midnight, and Russia suspending participation in a key nuclear arms control treaty, the risk of nuclear war is higher than ever.
Faith Groups Demand Restored Access to Asylum
Human rights organizations, religious groups, and members of Congress have repeatedly urged the Biden administration not to move forward with the proposed rule announced yesterday and to restore equitable access to asylum.
Maryknoll OGC Asks Biden to Reduce Military Spending
Maryknoll OGC joined 60 other faith-based organizations in asking President Biden for a reduction of military spending in the U.S. Government for the 2024 fiscal year.
Nicaragua: Freedom but Exile
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega released 222 political prisoners, exiling them to the United States on February 9. He also revoked their citizenship.
Maryknoll OGC Denounces Assassination of Honduran Water Rights Activists
In a statement of solidarity with the people of Honduras, Maryknoll OGC joined ten other U.S. civil society groups in denouncing the assassination of two water rights activists and further called for the protection of other environmental activists in the region.
Maryknoll OGC Tells Biden Not to Ban Asylum
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 164 other faith-based organizations in writing to President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Mayorkas, and Secretary Blinken to express concerns over new immigration rules that could restrict access for some people to their rights to seek asylum.
Background of Papal Visit to South Sudan 2023
The goal of the visit is to reinvigorate the peace process and to give the people of South Sudan hope for peace.
Peru Faith Letter to President Biden
Mr. President, we ask you to immediately suspend U.S. security assistance to Peru until the violent repression ends and human rights violations are addressed.
Maryknoll OGC Call for the U.S. to Recognize, Address Marshall Island Nuclear Testing Harm
The U.S. government clearly has an ongoing moral obligation to help address the adverse impacts of nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands.
Maryknoll OGC Asks Incoming House of Representatives for Humane Immigration Policy
We urge Members of Congress to reject the politics of fear and hate and vote no on the “Border Safety and Security Act” and all subsequent anti-immigrant legislative vehicles.
Peruvian Church Leaders and Human Rights Leaders Condemn Massacre
What happened in the city of Juliaca and Puno can only be described as one of the worst massacres that have occurred in our country in recent years. We reiterate that it is not up to the National Police of Peru or the Peruvian Armed Forces to resolve the conflicts that have been taking place. It is the duty of the central government and the Congress of the Republic to find a realistic, nonviolent solution within a reasonable time that will restore tranquility and peace to the country.
Maryknoll OGC Calls on Leaders to Center Human Rights in the Upcoming North American Leaders’ Summit
The summit provides an opportune forum for the U.S., Mexico, and Canada to work together to fulfill the commitment to “protecting the safety and dignity of all migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons, regardless of their migratory status, and respecting their human rights and fundamental freedoms.’’
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns Opposes Expansion of Title 42
With the new policies announced by President Biden, the right to seek asylum at ports of entry continues to shrink to the point of illusion.
Resources
The following Resources were published in the January-February 2023 issue of NewsNotes. Explainer on COP15, the UN Conference on Biodiversity, produced by the Laudato Si’ Movement. https://mogc.info/whatisCOP15 COP15 reflection by Josianne Gauthier, secretary general of CIDSE, an international family of Catholic social justice organisations. https://mogc.info/COP15-Gauthier Interview: “The Youth Voice is the Voice of Hope, of…
U.S. Proposals for Ocean-based Climate Solutions
The United States has taken ambitious steps for addressing climate change impacts on oceans and marine life.
UN: Multidimensional Poverty Index Report
The latest UN report on global poverty offers insights in “poverty profiles” and highlights encouraging examples of overcoming interlinked aspects of poverty.