Guatemala: Indigenous people’s human rights
Indigenous peoples of Guatemala urge Sec. of State Kerry to hold the state of Guatemala accountable for unjust actions.
Take action to end child marriage
Earlier this year, when the 113th Congress passed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, they included important language (PL 113-4, Sec. 1207) that requires the Secretary of State to establish and implement a multi-year, multi-sectoral strategy that includes both diplomatic and programmatic initiatives to prevent child marriage and empower girls globally.
A new direction for U.S. policy on Africa
A new statement by the Africa Advocacy Network (ADNA) — which includes the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns — calls for a new approach to the U.S.’s trade and investment, militarization, agriculture and land policies toward Africa.
Faith-based principles on actions of extractive industries
The following principles are promoted by the Extractive Industries Working Group, a coalition of faith, human rights, and environmental organizations concerned about the negative impact of extractive industries on the human and natural world.
Pax Christi International holds its annual meeting June 10-12
Pax Christi International members gathered in Berlin for the annual meeting.
Nuns on the Bus for immigration reform
Learn more about NETWORK’s Nuns on the Bus summer tour, highlighting the need for humane and just immigration reform.
Kenya: Reflections on recent election
Fr. Joe Healey, MM, wrote the following reflection on Kenya’s recent election for the May-June 2013 NewsNotes.
Guatemala: Reflections on outcome of Rios Montt trial
A few reflections from Maryknoll missioners on the recent trial of former president Efrain Rios Montt.
New director named for Global Concerns office
The Maryknoll Sisters, the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers and the Maryknoll Lay Missioners are delighted to announce that beginning May 28, 2013, Gerry Lee will be the director of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns. “We are thrilled to welcome Gerry to lead our collaborative office that advocates for peace, social justice and integrity of…
Resources
A few resources and upcoming events …
Labor: Follow principles on business, human rights
In most of the world, May 1 is the day to celebrate workers. This year’s commemoration included memorials for the at least 1,127* people who were killed in the terrible collapse on April 24 of a factory in Bangladesh, a disaster that could have been avoided had the building’s owners not shirked their responsibility to provide a safe environment for workers. *Death toll updated from printed version.
Guantanamo: Closure is far overdue
As of early May, it is believed that at least 100 men held at the U.S. military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba are participating in a hunger strike; 23 are being force fed. While prisoners at Guantanamo have fasted to protest their detention and/or treatment over the 11 years of the facility’s use, this current strike began in February as a response both to a new, harsher team of guards and to the fact that the imprisonment appears to be open-ended with little hope for release.
From fear of austerity to faith in God’s abundance
The following article was written by Jenn Svetlik, who worked for several months with the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns; Marianne Comfort with the Sisters of Mercy; and Eli McCarthy with the Conference of Major Superiors of Men. A very similar version was published on the Faith-Economy-Ecology-Transformation blog in early April.
Trans-Pacific Partnership concerns
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) made headlines again in March as Japan was welcomed into the trade negotiations, despite protests from Japanese rice farmers concerned the treaty could undermine their livelihoods.
Food aid: Local purchase timelier, less costly
The following article was written by Jennifer Svetlik, who worked with the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (MOGC) for several months this spring.
UN: Remembering transatlantic slave trade
On March 25, the international day of remembrance of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, the United Nations organized a series of events that reminded the world of the slave trade that raged for 400 years and claimed the lives of millions of people.
New deal for engagement in fragile states
The following article is written by Marie Dennis.
Palestine: Human rights update
The following piece was prepared by Sr. Jean Fallon, MM, who has participated with Christian Peacemaker Teams in Hebron in recent years.