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Pax Christi International resolution on Iraq |
This resolution was introduced by Pax Christi USA at the Triennial World Assembly of Pax Christi International, November 2007.Resolution nr. 2
07-01109
Resolution Calling for an End to the Occupation of Iraq and Support for a Comprehensive Political Solution to the Conflict
The global Catholic peace movement of Pax Christi International, gathered in Belgium in November 2007, expresses its grave concern that the U.S. led war and occupation of Iraq has unleashed a spiral of violence, undermined the mechanisms for international cooperation, and is causing tremendous suffering and the massive destruction of human lives.
We reaffirm the concerns expressed in the declaration “Building Foundations for Inclusive Human Security,” made at our last World Assembly in May, 2004, held in the United States, looking at Iraq and the U.S. “war on terror.” On theological, ethical and political grounds, we called for a repudiation of preventive war and the war on terrorism as it is being waged, for an end to the use of torture, and for cooperative arrangements to replace the failed policy of relying on military measures to achieve justice and secure peace.
In Iraq, the human costs of such a failed policy continue to mount, the reverberations of which will last for generations. The social fabric has been ripped apart by having infrastructure destroyed and a lack of basic services. The numbers of internally displaced and refugees have swelled to the millions. The situation continues to deteriorate, while new challenges—particularly the battle for restructuring and control of Iraq’s vast oil wealth, as well as the spilling over of the war into surrounding countries—threaten the hope for long-term stability.
With great urgency, therefore:
We call on world leaders to support a multi-lateral and comprehensive political solution in a United Nations context as the only way to achieve peace.
We call on the U.S. government to bring the occupation of Iraq to an end, to cease all offensive military actions, begin troop withdrawal and remove all permanent bases; and to commit significant resources for reconstruction and environmental cleanup, as well as for regional peace initiatives, including a regional peace conference, to foster self-determination for Iraqis in charting their transition and reconstruction plans.
We ask that Pax Christi International and its peace network raise its voice towards European governments and European Institutions in order that people fleeing their country devastated by war and violence be welcomed fully and that concrete actions be put in place in solidarity with the victims.
We request that Pax Christi International encourage national sections to initiate and consolidate experiences for meetings of solidarity, for visits and ongoing contacts with Christians and Iraqi civil society.
We call on Catholic leaders throughout the globe to actively engage and raise their voice in calling for a speedy end to the war and occupation of Iraq; and to elevate a prophetic vision of Gospel nonviolence that replaces reliance on military measures with diplomatic efforts to resolve conflict.
We call on our religious leaders to speak out strongly—both to stop the destruction of human life in Iraq and to avert future wars on other countries—particularly on Iran at this time--based on the immoral and illegal concept of “preventive war.”
We call on all our Pax Christi member organisations to redouble our efforts to advocate for a political solution to end the war and occupation of Iraq, and to promote peace education with a vision for peace and inclusive human security grounded in the Gospel.
Torhout, Belgium
1 November 2007
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