Afghanistan: Catholic women calling US policies in Afghanistan morally repugnant, urge full participation of Afghan women in new government
Source:
Women-Church Convergence In a Letter to U.S. Government and Roman Catholic Church Leaders, Women-Church Convergence, declares "present policies unworthy of a great nation dedicated to democracy, justice and freedom under God."
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA, November 14, 2001
In a Letter to U.S. Government and Roman Catholic Church Leaders, Women-Church Convergence, a national coalition of 31 groups representing about 35,000 women, declares "present policies unworthy of a great nation dedicated to democracy, justice and freedom under God." The Women-Church Convergence, rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition, is calling for "nothing less than a complete recognition of women in Afghanistan by the United States and its allies as they seek a new government to replace the Taliban in Afghanistan."
In a Letter to U.S. Government and Roman Catholic Church Leaders, Women-Church Convergence, a national coalition of 31 groups representing about 35,000 women, declares "present policies unworthy of a great nation dedicated to democracy, justice and freedom under God." The Women-Church Convergence, rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition, is calling for "nothing less than a complete recognition of women in Afghanistan by the United States and its allies as they seek a new government to replace the Taliban in Afghanistan."
The letter notes
that "no group has suffered more inhumane and humiliating directives than Afghan
women, and no group knows more about how life should be for women and children.
This wisdom and awareness must be part of a new government for
Afghanistan."
The W-C Convergence letter declares: "The women of Afghanistan are among the most oppressed people on this earth, suffering indescribably brutal and inhuman treatment under the Taliban. They must have a voice in their country's future in order to protect their basic human rights."
The Convergence urges that any suspected terrorists apprehended must be turned over to an international tribunal in the Hague for trial. "We must not only act justly, we must be seen as just by the rest of the world," observed Janet Kalven, a member of the International Grail, "Neither persons nor nations should act as judges in their own case."
The Convergence further insists the U.S. Government stop the bombing of innocent civilians. Instead of the empty gesture of dropping 35,000 meals a day into remote areas, the U.S. should aid relief agencies in delivering food supplies into the country.
The declaration was discussed at the recent meeting of Women-Church Convergence held in Chicago at the Holiday Inn International O'Hare Airport. The Convergence began in 1983 and continues to work for human rights and especially for the rights of women worldwide.
Dominican Sister Donna Quinn reiterated: "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind; violence begets violence and only creates more hatred and more terrorists. This is a time for justice and compassion."
The W-C Convergence letter declares: "The women of Afghanistan are among the most oppressed people on this earth, suffering indescribably brutal and inhuman treatment under the Taliban. They must have a voice in their country's future in order to protect their basic human rights."
The Convergence urges that any suspected terrorists apprehended must be turned over to an international tribunal in the Hague for trial. "We must not only act justly, we must be seen as just by the rest of the world," observed Janet Kalven, a member of the International Grail, "Neither persons nor nations should act as judges in their own case."
The Convergence further insists the U.S. Government stop the bombing of innocent civilians. Instead of the empty gesture of dropping 35,000 meals a day into remote areas, the U.S. should aid relief agencies in delivering food supplies into the country.
The declaration was discussed at the recent meeting of Women-Church Convergence held in Chicago at the Holiday Inn International O'Hare Airport. The Convergence began in 1983 and continues to work for human rights and especially for the rights of women worldwide.
Dominican Sister Donna Quinn reiterated: "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind; violence begets violence and only creates more hatred and more terrorists. This is a time for justice and compassion."
Website Link:
http://www.women-churchconvergence.org 
