US WILPF Statements, Positions and Endorsements
Email this pageWILPF endorses actions initiated by aligned groups and issues statements at the international, national, and branch levels. If you or your organization would like US WILPF to take a position on an issue that matters to your organization, please contact US WILPF Co-presidents at dialogue@wilpf.org with your clearly stated and prepared request. Local WILPF branches can and should endorse local activities and address local issues but must also follow this process to obtain endorsements from the national section or International.
Statement by the NGO Abolition Caucus Of the NPT Review Conference 2010
Response to the Report of Main Committee III: Chairman’s Draft on Substantive Elements
May 20, 2010
The NGO Abolition Caucus of the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference 2010 is generally opposed to the findings of the Report of Main Committee III: Chairman’s Draft on Substantive Elements released on Friday, 14 May 2010. In particular, the Caucus finds there is no evidentiary basis to support the Chair’s assertion in paragraph 6 that nuclear power contributes “in an important way to meet energy needs, improve health, combat poverty, protect the environment… thus helping to achieve the Millenium Development Goals…” The Chair's draft does not acknowledge that there is disagreement among states parties on the characterization of nuclear energy as sustainable and safe.
Indeed, numerous independent studies indicate that dollar for dollar nuclear power for electricity production is one of the most expensive ways to meet energy needs, when lifecycle costs are compared to solar, wind, geothermal, appropriate hydropower and biomass, as well as efficiency measures. This is also true for reducing carbon emissions as expensive nuclear power would actually exacerbate catastrophic climate change since there is less carbon emission prevented per dollar spent on costly nuclear technology compared to applying those funds to clean energy sources and efficiency.
Statement Opposing U.S. Military Ships in Costa Rican Waters
Declaration against
Invasion and Military Impunity
We the undersigned and organizations of our support network, categorically reject the U.S. military ships entering Costa Rican territory, as well as any further increase of militarism to attempt to solve conflicts in global politics.
We oppose the permission granted by the Costa Rican Legislature, which allows for joint patrols against trafficking of drugs into Costa Rica with up to 46 warships, 200 helicopters, 10 AV-8B Harrier aircraft and 7,000 marines.
With this action, the government of Costa Rica aims to join the U.S. military agenda in Latin America. The solution to drug trafficking is social, not military.
US WILPF Letter to US Senate Urging Immediate Ratification of CEDAW
Click here to view and download a pdf version of this letter.
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), U.S. Section, calls upon the U.S. Senate to immediately ratify the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
This year marks the 31st anniversary of the CEDAW Convention, the historic international bill of rights for women’s human rights. As an international non-governmental organization with UN consultative status, WILPF was a vital part of the decades-long process culminating in the adoption of the CEDAW Convention. In 1974, WILPF formally instructed its sections in various countries to engage their governments in the crafting of an international human rights convention which would “bring together the various aspects of women’s rights to form international law,” because we understood that “only through the intensive participation of women can best possible development in each country . . . and world peace [be] achieved.”
The CEDAW Convention was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 18, 1979 and signed, on behalf of the United States, by President Jimmy Carter in 1980. Yet, thirty-one years later, this powerful treaty has yet to be ratified by the U.S. Senate. The US is the only country to sign but not ratify the Convention.
MINGAS Statement & Letter on US Bases in Columbia
To view and download this statement as a pdf, click here.
| Mingas |
PO Box 268733 |
February 8, 2010
President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama:
The enclosed letter addresses the recently signed military agreement between the governments of Colombia and the United States. This letter was generated by the Mingas Network and has been signed by 96 organizations in the United States and Canada.
The Mingas Network is composed of individuals from across the United States and Canada who are concerned with promoting sovereignty and economic development, strengthening democracy and improving labor conditions in Colombia. We are united in our support for social movements and our rejection of all acts of violence. The Mingas Network is integrated within the Hemispheric Social Alliance and is active in North America.
WILPF Supports Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions for Israel
The situation in the West Bank and Gaza has become so dire in the last two years that the majority of Israeli peace groups now support Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS). This includes the Israeli section of WILPF. BDS is a global campaign aimed at bringing an end to Israel’s brutal occupation of Palestinian lands. Contrary to what many defenders of Israel would have you believe, the campaign is not intended to destroy Israel. Its aim is to end the Occupation.
In order to accomplish this, various groups have targeted specific companies that further the Occupation. At its recent International Board meeting in India, a WILPF resolution regarding BDS was passed and is now a part of WILPF’s international program, which each section will implement in its own way. [Read the resolution at: http://www.wilpf.int.ch/resolutions/2010.html ]
WILPF Supports California Water Legislation
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
United States Section
565 Boylston St. Boston, MA 02116
Tel: 617-266-0999 Email: wilpf@wilpf.org
Website: www.wilpf.org
The Honorable Jared Huffman
Chair, Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
April 21, 2009
RE: Support AB 1242 (Ruskin-Jones)
Dear Assemblymember Huffman:
The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, U.S. Section, wholeheartedly supports AB 1242 that would amend the California State Water Code to read that "every human being has the right to clean and accessible water on an equitable basis".
May 2009: Statement on US Involvement in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Statement on US Involvement in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Click here to view and download a pdf version of this statement
Click here to read the letter to Congress urging aid be given to Afghan women
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, U.S. Section, opposes military action to resolve the armed conflict in Afghanistan. Specifically, we cannot support the sending of 30,000 additional U.S. troops into the country and the use of drone aircraft there and in Pakistan. We call for the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO military forces.
It should be self evident that the use of violent force by another country cannot lead to the elimination of violence and armed conflict within Afghanistan. The very people the U.S. claims must be protected from Taliban insurgents are actually endangered by the presence of U.S and NATO troops. According to figures provided by the United Nations, at least 2100 Afghan civilians died in conflict related deaths in 2008. Of these, at least 1000 were killed by Taliban or other insurgents, who often target communities where U.S. military forces have had a presence. At least 800 civilians were killed in 2008 by Afghan government forces or by occupying U.S. and NATO forces, and of these at least 445 were killed by air strikes. Afghan women’s organizations, such as the Revolutionary Association of Afghan Women, and women’s organizations involved in in-country initiatives, such as Madre and the Global Fund for Women, have consistently stated that the occupying U.S. military presence increases the level of violence in Afghan communities resulting in more civilian deaths and abductions and more dangerous conditions for women seeking to participate in public life, peace building, and civilian governance.
Letter to Congress: Afghan Women Desperately Need Our Help
Click here to view and download a pdf version of this letter
May 20, 2009
Dear Senator/Representative:
Afghan women desperately need our help. As you consider the FY09 supplemental funding bill, aid for critically needed educational, occupational and health programs for Afghan women and girls must be included.
We urge you to include funding in the supplemental funding bill that will go directly to Afghan women-led non-profit organizations providing programs for Afghan women and girls, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and the Ministry of Women's Affairs.
WILPF Middle East statement on Gaza - January 2, 2009
We, the members of the Women's International League for Peace Freedom, are horrified at Israel's bombing of Gaza.
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We join with millions around the world in protests and call for an immediate cease fire.
We are profoundly distressed, knowing that the continuous bombardment will lead to further civilian deaths and suffering, and this massive escalation of violence could spiral out of control and engulf the whole region in war.
The massive air attack is a crime against humanity as it comes on top of the two-year inhumane siege that Israel has imposed on the one and a half million people living in Gaza, the world's largest prison.
Take the Profit out of Health Insurance
“Measures to prevent ill health and disease are as important as the availability of appropriate medical treatment and care. It is therefore essential to take a holistic approach to health, whereby both prevention and care are placed within the context of environmental policy...."
January 11, 2009 - Guantanamo Bay Anniversary - Fast for Justice - 100 Days Vigil
WILPF US Section Has Endorsed the 100 Days Campaign
*Why a 100 Days Campaign?*
Ever since Franklin D. Roosevelt became President in 1933, setting a new standard for action and imagination in his first 100 days in office, the
American people have watched closely the first 100 days of all new presidents. Numerous pundits have pointed out that-- not unlike FDR--
Barack Obama will enter the White House as the nation faces many crises.
*Obama's Promise*
In FDR's day, the promise was a "New Deal." Today, Obama is promising change. Some are very specific: Recently, for example, Obama told /60
Minutes/: "I have said repeatedly that I intend to close Guantanamo, and I will follow through on that. I've said repeatedly that America
doesn't torture. And I'm going to make sure that we don't torture."
*100 Days More is 100 Days Too Long *
After seven years of detaining hundreds of men without trial, 100 days more is 100 days too long. We go to Washington with high hopes that
President Obama will close Guantanamo on his first day in office. But if he does not, we will stand vigil for 100 days as a reminder of his
promise, and a reminder of those seven years of torture and indefinite detention carried out in our names.
US WILPF Signs Letter Opposing Budget Request for Aid to Israel
TO: Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
The undersigned organizations are writing to urge you to oppose the President’s FY2010 budget request for $2.775 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Israel, an increase of $225 million in military aid compared to FY2009. At this time of acute economic crisis, as well as from a political, legal, security, and moral standpoint, our country should not continue to provide Israel with this blank check.
Israel consistently misuses U.S. weapons purchased through FMF to commit grave human rights abuses against Palestinians and systematic violations of international law in its illegal 42-year military occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip. Some of those violations are documented every year in the State Department's own human rights reports; far more are documented by the United Nations and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Letter Sent to UN Secretary General Concerning the Inhumane Situation in Gaza - 12/19/08
The following letter was sent to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and others by Susi Snyder, Secretary General, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom on December 19 2008
19 December 2008
To: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon President of the Security Council H.E. Neven Jurica, President of the General Assembly H.E. Mr. Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann and all members of the General Assembly:
Excellencies,
US WILPF Letter of Support to Code Pink Delegation to Gaza, March 2009
Click here to view and download this letter as a pdf document
March 1, 2009
To the Code Pink Delegation:
The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation and support for the important mission Code Pink has undertaken with its delegation to Gaza in recognition of International Women's Day. We are pleased that WILPF members Regina Birchem and Alice Walker will be part of the group, and know that many more of our members will be with you in spirit over the next several days.
Open Letter to President Barack Obama on US Refusal to Participate in Conference on Racism
March 27, 2009
Open Letter to President Barack Obama
Why the United States Should Stop Refusing to Participate in a Global Conference on Racism
Dear President Barack Obama,
We, the undersigned individuals and organizations dedicated to fighting racial injustice and promoting human rights domestically and globally received your recent decision to boycott the Durban Review Conference with profound disappointment. Recognizing that your stated objections to the conference have been addressed, we are confident that your Administration will be reversing its decision in time to participate in the conference and its remaining preparatory meetings scheduled to take place in April.
"US women demand US restore aid to the Palestinian Authority"
Grassroots Campaign calls on Bush Administration to remedy humanitarian crisis
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Resolution to Endorse H.R. 676
Prepared by the Advancing Human Rights Issues Committee
Adopted by WILPF U.S. Section
April 2006
Open Letter to Secretary Hillary Clinton re Support of International Criminal Court
April 16, 2009
The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW Room 7226
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Madam Secretary:
We write to urge that the current review of United States policy on the International Criminal Court [ICC] be completed quickly, and that it lead to three results: US participation in the Court’s meetings to complete its formation; extensive and thorough US cooperation with and support to the Court in its prosecutions and trials; and action to declare emphatically that US relations with the Court are in an entirely new era. The historic ICC arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir makes these steps especially urgent. The United States is now in the odd and unsustainable position of strongly endorsing the most important action that the ICC has ever taken while evading any commitment to support or participate in it as an institution.
US WILPF Priorities for Obama Administration
January 19, 2009
Dear President-Elect Obama:
We of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, United States Section (WILPF US), appreciate many of the priorities you expressed during your election campaign. A considerable number of them are our priorities as well, and we will certainly work to build support for each of those in our communities across this nation.
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