The USCCB is concerned with policy development and advocacy on questions of international justice and world peace. It supports public policies to promote international human rights and religious liberty, to encourage foreign assistance, peace and disarmament, and to reduce and resolve religious, ethnic and nationalist conflicts. It also strives to alleviate international poverty via international debt relief for the poorest debtor nations and to alleviate human suffering through such efforts as the eradication of anti-personnel land mines. We encourage you to visit the web site of the USCCB department of
International Justice & Peace for more information.
Legislative Issues in the 111th Congress:
Country Specific Advocacy
Afghanistan:
Encourage U.S. support for U.N. and multilateral efforts to stabilize and rebuild Afghanistan, fund efforts aid and development to generate Afghani employment.
Africa:
Promote peace, security and justice in areas of conflict (e.g. Darfur and Sudan, the Greater Horn of Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe.)
Colombia:
Support promotion of human rights and the peace process.
Cuba:
Support the lifting of economic sanctions and restrictions on travel to Cuba and greater engagement with the Cuban government.
Haiti:
Support assistance to and trade preferences for the poorest country in our hemisphere.
Iran:
Support direct and sustained diplomatic engagement with Iran, in collaboration with international partners, to encourage Iran to be a responsible actor in the region and world.
Iraq:
Support a timely responsible transition in Iraq that addresses the humanitarian and refugee crisis, and religious freedom for Christians and other minorities in Iraq.
Israel-Palestine:
Support the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, including a two-state solution and a successful conclusion of negotiations on the Fundamental Agreement.
Venezuela:
Support religious freedom, human rights and the Church in Venezuela.
Issue Advocacy
Debt Relief Policy:
Support multilateral debt cancellation for poor countries.
Food Crisis:
Support funding and humanitarian assistance to address severe food shortages, and agricultural policies that do not disadvantage poor farmers in developing countries.
Foreign Assistance Funding:
Support increased funding for morally appropriate humanitarian assistance and development programs, including the inclusion of a strong conscience clause.
Foreign Assistance Reform:
Support foreign assistance that focuses on long-term development, poverty reduction and diplomacy, encouraging transparency, good governance and participation of civil society.
Global Climate Change Impact on the Poor at Home and Abroad:
Support provisions in global climate change policy that assist the poor in the most vulnerable developing nations to adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change.
Human Rights and Religious Freedom:
Support religious freedom as a fundamental right and coordinate closely with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to highlight religious freedom issues.
International Trade:
Monitor impacts of global trade negotiations on the poor and most vulnerable.
Migration:
Support addressing the root causes of migration and seek long-term solutions to stimulate sustainable economic development in sending countries.
Mining and Extractive Industries:
Support transparency from extractive industries to ensure that resource-rich developing nations invest in sustainable economic development, especially for the poor.
Nuclear Weapons/Indiscriminate Weapons:
Support the reduction of nuclear stockpiles and securing of nuclear materials, and support restrictions on cluster munitions and landmines.
Root Causes of Trafficking in Persons:
Support increased funding for prevention programs that provide education and training, jobs and sustainable livelihood skills to those vulnerable to trafficking.
Torture:
Support the prohibition of the use of torture, domestically or internationally, for any person in U.S. custody.
Trade Policy Reform:
Support provisions to address the needs of the poor in legislation relating to U.S. bilateral and regional trade agreements (e.g. the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement).
U.S. Muslim Engagement:
Encourage increased dialogue and diplomacy between the U.S. and Muslim countries to advance conflict resolution.
Violence Against Women:
Support policies that reducte violence against women and promote gender equality with increased opportunities for young girls and women to receive education.
