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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 WILPF to take a position on an issue that matters to your organization, please contact WILPF U.S. President and National Director 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. Issue committees are encouraged to collaborate with allied organizations that share their positions and may endorse actions and statements as a WILPF issue committee; issue committees seeking the endorsement of WILPF at a national or international level are encouraged to contact the National Director or President of the U.S. Section.
Statement of WILPF, U.S. Section, on the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security
STATEMENT OF WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM UNITED STATES SECTION ON THE U.S. NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY
WILPF's Statement on Iran
Statement of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom -
United States Section - On Iran and Support for a Weapons of Mass
2012 Statement on Iran
Statement of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom – United States Section – On Iran and Support for a Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone in the Middle East
WILPF Stands with Occupy Together: Why We Support the People and the Protests
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No Justice in bin Laden Killing
May 2, 2011 Justice Done or Missed Opportunities? On Sunday, President Obama announced that the United States conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda, and strongly proclaimed “justice has been done.” [1] “Justice has been done” was then reiterated throughout our nation and the entire international community. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed Osama bin Laden's death claiming that he was personally “relieved that justice has been done.”[2] Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berusconi, further stated that bin Laden’s killing was not only “a great result for the United States but also for all democracies,” and Palestinian Authority spokesman Ghassan Khatib said that “getting rid of bin Laden is good for the cause of peace worldwide.”[3] Americans chanted in the streets and sang patriotic songs. The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), US Section extends our hearts to all people who have suffered as a result of violent acts of terrorism, but deeply challenges the belief that “justice has been done” when the blood of another has been spilled – even if it was a person who caused great harm. In choosing, once again, to use force rather than to pursue justice through established rules of law, the US. Government missed out on profound opportunities to advance universal guarantees of human rights, strengthen peace and security, and open pathways for greater understanding and reconciliation. WILPF U.S. Section Statement on the 10th Anniversary of SCR1325 (October 31, 2010)The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), U.S. Section, calls upon the U.S. Permanent Mission to the United Nations to fully support women’s participation in peace and security processes, as mandated by United Nations Security Resolution 1325. On October 26, 2010, the United Nations Security Council commemorated the 10-year anniversary of the unanimous adoption of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325. Hailed in 2000 as a landmark in putting women’s participation, protection and relief and recover priorities on the security agenda, SCR 1325’s implementation over the past 10 years has been dire:
WILPF Supports California Water Legislation
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom United States Section 11 Arlington St. Boston, MA 02116 Tel: 617-266-0999 Email: web(at)wilpf.org Website: www.wilpf.org The Honorable Jared Huffman
Chair, Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife
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". Past Time to Change Course in IraqThe Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, US Section, has opposed the US led war on Iraq since before 2003, a war that has taken a heavy toll of Iraqi and US lives. Additionally, the sovereign nation of Iraq has been occupied by US military forces and Iraq's infrastructure, politically and physically, has been destroyed. The entire Middle East region has been destabilized by this illegal war. Support Ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
Statement in Support of Ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Submitted to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), U.S. Section commends the U.S. Government for the timely submission of its first Universal Periodic Report to the Human Rights Council and for its involvement of local and state governments in completing the report. The U.S. properly sent the highest level delegates to meet with the Council in Geneva for the review and was innovative in its attempts to make the review accessible and participatory for civil society groups in the U.S. Recalling this demonstration of positive commitment to human rights, WILPF now calls upon the U.S. Senate to immediately ratify the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which was signed on behalf of the United States in 1980. The U.S. is the only country to sign and not ratify this important women’s human rights treaty. Statement by the NGO Abolition Caucus Of the NPT Review Conference 2010Response to the Report of Main Committee III: Chairman’s Draft on Substantive Elements
May 20, 2010 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 WatersDeclaration against 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 CEDAWClick 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 ColumbiaTo view and download this statement as a pdf, click here.
February 8, 2010
President Barack H. Obama 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 IsraelThe 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 ] 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, 2009We, the members of the Women's International League for Peace Freedom, are horrified at Israel's bombing of Gaza.
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 VigilWILPF US Section Has Endorsed the 100 Days Campaign
*Why a 100 Days Campaign?*
*Obama's Promise*
*100 Days More is 100 Days Too Long * |
SearchWILPF's Internal Mini-Grant Program
New material posted at the Cuba and Bolivarian Issue Committee pages. Several women are touring the US with films and insights.
Recent National Board meeting minutes | |||||||
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