Upholding human rights enables a society to put people at the center of all policymaking – political, economic and social – thus protecting the life and dignity of the human person whatever its condition or stage of development. In the year 2020, the world entered into the novel coronavirus pandemic, an unprecedented crisis that impacts all aspects of life and presents new threats to upholding human rights.
December 10 is International Human Rights Day. Join us in reciting this prayer by Rabbi Brant Rosen. Explore our Lenten Reflection Guide on human rights.
To understand what our faith teaches about human rights, see “Catholic Social Teaching and Human Rights.”
To learn about Maryknoll mission experience honoring and protecting human rights and the life and dignity of the human person, especially those who are poor and vulnerable, read Maryknoll’s 100 Years of Mission.
To learn about human rights advocacy, watch a 30-minute webinar, “Human Rights Advocacy and the Legacy of Sr. Dianna Ortiz.” You will also find a corresponding page of resources on current human rights issues.
To learn about new threats to human rights, see our articles featured in Maryknoll Magazine:
Upholding Human Rights During the Pandemic
A “David and Goliath” Story of Water Defenders
The death and displacement that occurs in the out-migration from Africa and the plight of internally displaced peoples across the continent were the subject of a recent hearing before the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations. What emerged in the testimony of several governmental and NGO experts was a picture of tragic human suffering.
Act now to tell Congress to keep the McCain-Feinstein amendment banning CIA torture and to create a clear path to close the prison at Guantanamo.
Urge Congress to help fund the UNRWA’s emergency appeal for Palestinian refugees from Syria.
Chloe Schwabe, Faith-Economy-Ecology project coordinator, reports from the 2015 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the IMF in Peru.
Come celebrate and discuss a new book by former Maryknoll missioners Phil and Kathy Dahl-Bredine (Mexico) on Ancient Ingredients for a Sustainable Future.
Join a webinar panel discussion on the Pentagon budget and it’s impact on the most vulnerable.
Take action to ensure countries that condone human trafficking are held accountable in trade agreements.
In a recent letter to Congress, Gerry Lee of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (MOGC) and more than 400 religious leaders called on the United States to welcome Syrian refugees from all faith traditions.
More than 4 million refugees have fled Syria. This is the largest refugee crisis since World War II. Sign the Petition: Tell President Obama to welcome more refugees.
September 24, 2015 – Pope Francis made history today by becoming the first pontiff to address a joint meeting of Congress. He spoke of challenges that are complex, grave, and urgent. And he invoked four historical American figures who have shaped our fundamental values. Below are quotes from each topic the pope addressed. You can…
September 23, 2015 – Pope Francis attended four events in what proved to be a non-stop day. Two major themes emerged: climate change and immigration. First, the White House. In the morning, the pope delivered remarks at a welcoming ceremony at the White House. He indentified himself with immigrants, and described the urgent need to…
September 23, 2015 – Pope Francis gave his first public remarks in the U.S. this morning, during a ceremony at the White House. He focused almost entirely on the need to address climate change and care for the poor and most vulnerable. Here are five key quotes: “Mr. President, I find it encouraging that you are…
September 22, 2015 – Pope Francis arrived in Washington, D.C., this afternoon, and the excitement was electric. When the pope walked off of the plane at Andrews Air Force Base, outside of Washington, D.C., President Obama, his wife and children, were there to greet him, as were Vice President Biden and numerous U.S. bishops – an unprecedented…
President Obama visited Kenya and Ethiopia, probably for the last time as head of state, from July 24-28.
The U.S. Department of State’s 2015 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report has received more than the usual scrutiny due to ongoing negotiations around the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) involving the U.S. and 11 Pacific Rim nations, and Malaysia’s changing rank on the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) compliance list, compiled by the State Department.
On August 11, the U.S. announced that it would not reinstate Bangladesh to a list of developing countries that receive trade preferences for lower or zero-duty tariffs due to labor rights and workplace safety issues.
Excessive CEO pay at the 30 largest U.S. public fossil fuel corporations rewards short-term actions, with disastrous results for the world’s climate, a new report finds.
In recent months, violence in El Salvador has spiraled, with the daily death rate now higher than during the peak of the civil war.
