News Archives » human rights
Pope Calls for Greater Environmental Commitment in World Day of Peace Address December 17th, 2009
Pope Benedict called for greater environmental commitment in his message for the Roman Catholic Church’s annual World Day of Peace, to be marked on Jan 1 and whose theme is “If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation”
Immigration Reform Bill Introduced in Congress December 17th, 2009
The Missionary Oblates JPIC office applauds Congressman Luis Gutierrez’s leadership in introducing the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act (CIR A.S.A.P.) in the House of Representatives, This bill lays a foundation to fix the broken immigration system in 2010. It was introduced on December 15 with 89 original co-sponsors including members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Black Caucus, Asian Pacific American Caucus, and Progressive Caucus.
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity (CIR A.S.A. P) Act of 2009 offers enhanced border protection, allows for immigrant families to reunite, and provides a way for many undocumented immigrants to earn legalization. Read a summary of the CIR A.S.A.P here.
This immigration bill (CIR A.S.A.P) is released just as U.S. Catholics prepare to celebrate National Migration Week 2010 scheduled for January 4 – 10 under the theme, Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice.
Chile’s Supreme Court Upholds Indigenous Water Use Rights December 4th, 2009
The Supreme Court of Chile issued a unanimous decision guaranteeing a continual water flow to two indigenous communities in the country. The Court invoked ILO Convention 169. The decision could have far reaching consequences for Chile’s mining industry
The landmark ruling on indigenous water rights was in a case that pitted Region I Aymara communities against Agua Mineral Chusmiza, a company seeking the rights to bottle and sell freshwater from a source used historically by Aymara indigenous residents.
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U.S. Catholic Bishops Visit Zimbabwe and South Africa September 8th, 2009
A delegation of American Catholic bishops has recently visited the church in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Bishop John H. Ricard of Pensacola, Florida, and Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, Utah visited Zimbabwe from August 26 to 28. They then traveled to South Africa where they stayed until September 6th, and where they were joined by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, retired Archbishop of Washington D.C. The purpose of the delegation was to observe first-hand the important humanitarian aid work done by the Church, especially in fighting HIV/AIDS and poverty. The bishops are members of the USCCB Subcommittee on Africa. They visited church officials and projects funded by the Pastoral Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa which raises money in the US to help the Church in Africa.
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Conditions in Sri Lanka Refugee Camps Worsening July 20th, 2009
Waiting for Water at Manik Camp
According to a report by the associated Press in Colombo, conditions in the refugee camps in northern Sri Lanka are seriously worsening. In a report dated Sunday July 19th, AP said “in June, chicken pox was rampant and cases of typhoid, tuberculosis, skin and respiratory infections, hepatitis A, scabies and diarrhea have begun cropping up, according to U.N. reports. More than 35 percent of children under 5 are suffering from wasting, or acute malnutrition, according to a July 3 government presentation.”
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