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Sri Lanka cited in Address of UN Human Rights High Commissioner March 5th, 2010

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay highlighted on-going human rights problems in Sri Lanka in a recent address to the UN Himan Rights Council as she presented the UNHCHR 2009 Annual Report.

“In Sri Lanka, I welcome the progress made in returning displaced persons, and hope the review and release of security detainees can similarly be expedited. But the opportunity for peace and reconciliation continues to be marred by the treatment of journalists, human rights defenders and other critics of the Government. I am convinced that Sri Lanka should undertake a full reckoning of the grave violations committed by all sides during the war, and that the international community can be helpful in this regard,” Commissioner Pillay said in her Address to the Human Rights Council.

Commissioner Pillay’s Address to the UN HR Council (Download PDF)

Earthquake in Chile March 3rd, 2010

Oscar Gonzales OMI in Chile writes of the destruction in the country from the recent earthquake. He reports that the Oblates have suffered no major harm, except perhaps some damage to the Provincial House. They are working hard to help those who have been affected, especially the impoverished families with whom they work.

Read the message from an Oblate in Chile…

This information is also available in Spanish.

News from the UN March 1st, 2010

Follow-up on Copenhagen Accord on Climate Change

The United Nations has set-up a High-Level Panel to implement a key component of the Copenhagen Accord to promote climate mitigation and adaptation financing in developing countries.

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Haiti : Vatican Radio Interview March 1st, 2010

In an interview with Vatican Radio, Séamus Finn, OMI – Director of the US Oblate JPIC Office – talks about the situation in Haiti and re-development needs of the devastated country. The Oblates are the largest male religious congregation in the country. In the interview, he touches on important Haitian realities: the poverty, the stranglehold of Haiti’s debt and a process for re-building.

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Support the Energy Security Through Transparency Act of 2009 March 1st, 2010

The Energy Security through Transparency Act of 2009 (S.1700), also called the ESTT Act was introduced in September 2009 and needs your support!

The ESTT Act requires gas, oil and mineral companies registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange to disclose payments to foreign governments for the commercial extraction of oil, natural gas and minerals.

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