JPIC REPORTVolume 6, Issue 2

July 2004

Inside this issue:

A publcation of the OMI Justice and Peace/Integrity of Creation Office

From the Director: A Share of the BountyThe Harvest of justice issown in peace for those

who cultivate peace.James 3:18

Being is more importantthan doing, the heart ismore important thanthe mind, and doing

things together is moreimportant than doing

things alone.Henri Nouwen

News & Resources 2

The Global Fight Against Poverty: 4Millenium Development Goals

Fr. Carl, 70 Finds Calling 6Protesting Nukes

Celebrating the Earth 8By Darrell Rupiper, OMI

The Current State of Challenges 9To the Death Penalty

Bangladesh and Human Rights: 1 0Testimony to the UN

Socially Responsible 1 2Investing Grows

A Journey to Laredo 1 4and the Rio Grande Valley

An Update on Haiti 1 4

Legislative and Advocacy Update 1 5

The search for thekey elements thatpromote and

sustain developmentcontinue to attract plentyof attention in many arenasthroughout the world. Oneof the latest attempts wasarticulated at the millennialassembly of the UnitedNations in the form of theMillennium DevelopmentGoals. More than 35years ago Paul VI offeredhis assessment of thefuture challenge in theencyclical letterPopulorum Progressio,and encouraged us to jointogether with men andwomen of good will torespond.

The widening gap be-tween rich and poor bothwithin countries andbetween nations andregions has continued towiden in the intervening 30years. The gap is calcu-lated by using such basiccriteria as access toshelter, safe food andwater, education, andhealthcare. Bridging thatgap does not lend itself toeasy answers and chal-lenges some very stronglyheld convictions about

both personal lifestyle andthe political and economicordering of our societies.

There are many publicpolicy issues and chal-lenges embedded in thestruggle to frame ourresponse to development.There are scores ofprivate organizations andpublic institutions thatwork very hard to pro-vide the relief servicesneeded to respond to theimmediate challenges.Millions of people gener-ously join together tomake these effortspossible.

Additionally our dailyscriptures and the wisdomof many other religioustraditions invite each of usto examine our lifestylesand to support programsand policies that willrespond to the needs ofthose who continue to beexcluded from servicesnecessary for life. Realitysuggests that it takes bothcarrot and stick to movemost of us to personalconversion and change

Sustainable developmentis underpinned by the care

with which we tread uponthe earth and the policiesand programs that wepromote. We hope thatyou will find some insightsand resources in this issueof our newsletter to helpyou and yours to lookagain at what this invitationmeans in your life.

We must makehaste: too manyare suffering, andthe distance isgrowing thatseparates theprogress of someand the stagna-tion, not to say theregression, ofothers. Yet thework requiredshould advancesmoothly if there isnot to be the riskof losing indis-pensable equilib-rium.

From the PopulorumProgressio by HisHoliness Paul VI,Section 29

Page 2 JPIC REPORT

The OMI Justice and Peace/Integrity of Creation Officecoordinates the advocacy effortsof the Missionary Oblates ofMary Immaculate on behalf of theinterests of the poor andabandoned in the U.S. and in themore than 65 countries where theOblates are in mission. Theseefforts include serving as aresource for province member-ship, supporting the communityorganizing efforts of the Oblatesin the United States, and co-ordinating the Corporate Respon-sibility Program to insist on justpractices and policies bycorporations in their worldwideoperations. Our work alsoincludes advocacy with the UnitedStates government and otherinternational institutions on avariety of justice and peace issues.

U.S. JPIC CommitteeRev. John Cox, OMIRev. Sal DeGeorge, OMIRev. Séamus Finn, OMIRev. Maurice Lange, OMIRev. John Lasseigne, OMIRev. Darrell Rupiper, OMIRev. Thomas Rush, OMIRev. David Ullrich, OMIRev. Bob Wright, OMI

JPIC StaffRev. Séamus Finn, OMIDirector

Rebecca PharesAssociate Director

Mary O’HerronAssociate for GA JPIC Serviceand Corporate Responsibility

Marjorie Kambala

JPIC Report is a publication ofthe OMI Justice and Peace/Integrity of Creation Office391 Michigan Avenue NEWashington, DC 20017Tel: 202..483.0444Fax: 202.483.0708

Updated Brochures onEnvironmental Issues

In an effort to help Oblatespromote practices that helpthe environment, the JPICOffice has just updated thebrochures that originallyflowed from the “Environ-mental Resolution” the USProvince passed a fewyears ago. We will behappy to send you copiesof either the brochures orthe resolution if you contactus.

The brochures include:

Earth-Friendly Products– Encourages the use ofproducts that will make ourenvironment healthier andgives leads on how to dothis;Organic Eating – Givesrationale for eating organicfood and ideas on ways todo so;Reduce, Reuse, Recycle– Promotes these practicesby giving reasons for andways of doing them;Gardens Alive: Hints forSaving Water in theGarden – Gives proce-dures for using less waterin gardens.A Look at Fair Trade –Explains the benefits andcriteria for Fair Trade andgives websites.

Video on BangladeshNow Available

Recently, our partners(Joseph Gomes, SanjeebDrong and others) inBangladesh produced avideo called “Behind theGreen.” It focuses onOblate work with Indig-enous Peoples and thestruggles of the indigenouspeoples of Bangladesh withregards to the destructionof their way of life. This isa well produced videowhich could be useful inboth adult education andcatechesis. A limitednumber of videos andDVDs are available withoutcharge by contacting theOblate JPIC office. It isapproximately 30 minuteslong. Please call 202-483-0444 for more informationor e-mailmaryoh@omiusa.org..

Under-funding of NoChild Left BehindNational PrioritiesProject(www.nationalpriorities.org)

While the Bush Administra-tion has identified educationas a priority, programs frompre-school through collegeare under-funded. Fornational and state-by-stateinformation go to: http://www.nationalpriorities.org/

News and Advocacy

issues/edu/fallingshort/index.html?fs1 This publica-tion looks at: the number ofchildren in each state whoare eligible but un-enrolledin Head Start; the statelevel impact of the under-funding of the No ChildLeft Behind Act; thenational shortfall in highereducation grants; the stateloss in federal funding foradult and vocationaleducation; the under-funding of special educationby state and the prospectfor future spending cuts.

Join PeacefulTomorrows’ Stonewalk– Boston to NYC (July26-Sept 2)

Family members of 9/11victims will make a dra-matic statement of solidaritywith victims of terrorism,violence and war fromaround the world. FromJuly 26 through September2, they will walk fromBoston to New York,pulling a 1400-poundgranite memorial. Throughthis walk, and throughspeaking events in dozensof communities along theway, they will bear witnessto the tragic reality thatcivilian casualties constitute80% of the deaths in wars.For more information, see:www.peacefultomorrows.org/

Volume 6, Issue 2 Page 3

Items from Bangladesh for Sale

The Oblates in Bangladesh work with the indigenous Garo and Khasi people there. In an effortto raise much-needed financial resources they have produced crafts for sale.

To support this effort, the JPIC Office of the US Province has purchased some of these itemsand offers them to you at cost plus postage. Each item is made from a heavy, colorful fabricand is carefully crafted. A list of objects and the cost for each is below. Please contact the JPICoffice at 202-483-0444 or maryoh@omiusa.org if you are interested in any of these items. Mostitems come in red, blue, and orange.

Item Cost Each

Passport Holders $ 2Unisex travel pouch with a thin fabric strap. Multicolored (almost Guatemalan looking) pattern

Small Shoulder Bags $ 5These brightly colored textile bags come with a sturdy nylon strap, two zippered compartments and several slotsfor pencils

Wallet with Velcro Closure $ 2

Fabric Wallets that fold shut $ 2

Toiletry Bags $3Small bags that zipper shut

Coin Purses $1These 6” by 3” zippered coin purses come in black, blue and red.

Pencil Cases $2Fabric cases that zip shut, great for carrying pencils in an open bag.

Little Purses $2Zippered pouches (some fold over and some do not)

Shoulder Bags $15Attache case with a woven fabric strap. Approximately 12” X 16”

Page 4 JPIC REPORT

The Global Fight Against Poverty: The Millennium Development Goals Marjorie Kambala

“We will spare no effortto free our fellow men,women and childrenfrom the abject anddehumanizing conditionsof extreme poverty towhich more than abillion are subjected”

United Nations MillenniumDeclarationSeptember 2000.

In Sept 2000, 147world leaders fromdeveloped and developingcountries met for theMillennium Summit underthe auspices of the UnitedNations and unanimouslypledged to work togetherto eradicate poverty –making it a challenge forthe 21st century. The 147countries adopted theMillennium DevelopmentGoals (MDGs) as a planof action, thus committingthemselves to a pricelessand achievable fightagainst poverty. TheMDG’s are people-centered, time-bound andmeasurable; made up of18 targets, 147 indicatorsand 8 goals, which ifaccomplished will promotethe different dimensions ofhuman development byproviding measurableimprovements in peoples’lives, namely, living a longand healthy life, being

educated and having adecent standard of living. The first seven goalsare aimed at reducingpoverty in all it’s forms:lack of income, educationand health care; hunger;gender inequality andenvironmental degradation.Prior to the 25th April2004 meeting of theDevelopment Committeeof the IMF/WB held inWashington, DC, theGlobal Monitoring Report2004, on the policies andactions for achieving theMDG’s and relatedoutcomes was released asa working guide to reviewprogress made on thepledge. According to thereport, we are faced witha mixed picture on theprogress made thus far ascertain countries/regionsare seemingly on targetsuch as China and Taiwanand other countries/regionssuch as Sub SaharanAfrica are regressing and ifleft at the same pace willnot be able to achieve thegoals. Accomplishing theMDG’s of halving theworld’s population livingon less than a dollar a dayby 2015 relies on a strongdecentralized people-centered approach whichwill include and projectthe voices of the poor. To

achieve these goalsdeveloping countries havebeen given the mandate todraw up broad-based,coherent, country-owneddevelopment strategies inthe form of PovertyReduction Strategy Papers(PRSP), that will be thefoundation of developmentplanning. This approachcalls on developingcountries to systematicallydiagnose what it will taketo achieve these goals. Thesuccessful creation,adoption and use of thePRSP is the bridge be-tween the ‘visions’ of theMDG and accomplishingthe goals. The challengetherefore lies in identifyingcredible National Govern-mental Organizations, CivilSociety Organizations,Labor Movements andChurch Organizations thatcan build and re-energizegrassroots movements thatwill not be undermined byeither internal and externalforces. One such organiza-tion is Oxfam, which inFebruary 2004 organizeda Budget Tracking Work-shop in Malawi withparticipants from Asia,Africa, and SouthAmerica. Among theissues addressed was howto get broad-basedparticipation in the formu-lation of National Budgets

and how to track the flowof expenditure fromNational Treasury toeducation , health andother social issues such asclean water, sanitation andshelter.. Budget trackingmechanism is a helpfuldouble-edged sword. Onthe one hand, it wouldensure that funds areallocated and disbursedtowards poverty reductionprograms; on the otherhand, through activeparticipation of the massesin the pre and post budgetanalysis, it could help curbcorruption by beingtransparent and account-able. It has been almost fouryears since the adoption ofthe MDG and today wehave a mixed picture.According to World Bankand IMF reports, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) andparts of Asia will not beable to attain any of thegoals. There is need forboth developed anddeveloping countries tostep up action significantlyand swiftly if we are toattain the 2015 MDG’s. Unsustainable debtlevels have crippleddeveloping countries’ability to satisfactorily dealwith issues that coulddirectly reduce poverty

Volume 6, Issue 2 Page 5

such as health, educationand social issues. TheHIV/AIDS pandemic istaking a toll on SSAeconomically and sociallyas it robs the continent ofpeople in their mostproductiveyears, be-tween 15-35years ofage. The HIV/AIDS pan-demic isclaiming 7000lives a dayand this hasput a toll onthe alreadyover bur-dened healthcare systems. Instead ofaddressingthe aboveissues, two-thirds ofdevelopingcountriesbudgetaryresources areallocated towards debtservicing, and they are leftwith a meager one-third toaddress national issues.This has created a newdimension in the fightagainst poverty: develop-ing countries dependanceon foreign aid. This leads us to goalnumber eight which is “todevelop a global partner-ship for development”.Prompt action is neededfor donors to make funds

available and recipients toaddressimplementationconstraints. The use ofPRSP as a guide will allowdonor countries to channelaid funds towards educa-tion, health and social

assistance services forpoor people. Another frontin the fight against povertythat is worthy of mention isthe trade restrictions thatdeveloping countries facein the form of subsidies andtrade tariffs. Developedcountries have providedtheir farmers with bigsubsidies that impairsdeveloping countries abilityto sell their products for aprofit both locally andabroad. And while import

tariffs protect developedcountries markets, thesesame tariffs are prevent-ing developing countriesfrom maximizing their fullexport potential. Abalance ought to be

struck since increasedtrade in agricultural,textile and industrysectors is a primary keyfor sustainable economicgrowth as it creates jobsand boosts income forboth developed anddeveloping countries.Unfortunately, the abilityfor both developed anddeveloping countries toaddress these issues isundermined by the unfairand undemocratic repre-

sentation at the WorldTrade Organization(WTO). What we saw at the turnof the 21st century was anunprecedented solidarity ofthe 147 world leaders from

both devel-oped anddevelopingcountriespledging towork to-gether toeradicatepoverty,promotehumandignity, andequality andachievepeace. Todaythe challengeis reiteratedto turn thatpledge intoreality bycollectivelyacting uponit.

Vision without ac-tion is merely adream.Action without vi-sion is a waste oftime.Vision with actioncan change theworld.

Bishop P. Diegaardt.

Marjorie Kambala joined the Oblate JPIC Office in the spring of 2004

Page 6 JPIC REPORT

Father Carl, 70, Finds Calling Protesting Nukes Bill Johnson

The following article isre-printed from the April23, 2004 edition of theRocky Mountain Newsand was written by BillJohnson. Father Carl just gotback in town. It was goodto see him again. And,yes, he’s fresh out of astretch in jail. A lot of people knowCarl Kabat, not the leastof whom is federal Magis-trate Boyd Boland, whothis time around didn’teven bother with bail bondissues and simply askedthe Roman Catholic priestto, well, just please showup in court when arraign-ment time comes. They had arrested CarlKabat, once again,dressed up like a clowninside a military nuclearsilo facility in WeldCounty. The 70-year-old priesthas spent the bulk of thepast 16 years in a jail orfederal prison for doingjust that sort of thing. It is precisely thatpassion for doing what hebelieves he is called to do,and his unflinching willing-ness to spend jail andprison time doing that, thatI – and a good manyothers – admire in CarlKabat. “You didn’t…,” Istammered when I ran into

him the other day.

The priest slouched over,scratched the back of hishead and said, “Well…” It was Good Friday. He’d not been long intown from St. Louis,where he was emptyingtrash and doing other oddjobs at a women’s shelterthere. That morning, he puton the long strands of amop and fitted a baseballcap over it. He slatheredhis face in a clown’sgreasepaint, put on a

checked

shirt, stepped into patch-covered knickers andtennis shoes, and headedfor the Weld Countynuclear silos. It was a protest somethree years ago near thesame spot that landed himin federal prison for a littlemore than a year. It wasnear the same silos wherethree hammer-wielding

Catholic nuns protestedshortly afterward, forwhich they received up to40 months in federalprison, sentences theycontinue to serve. Soldiers ordered CarlKabat to the ground,ripped the mop from hishead, handcuffed andshackled him, and turnedhim over to Weld Countysherriff’s deputies. The priest, unwilling topromise he’d appear on apersonal recognizancebond, spent more than aweek in jail in Greeleybefore the feds came for

him. Magistrate Boland,who’d tried him two yearsearlier, just told him toshow up. “I guess heknows who I am,” thepriest says. He is charged withunlawfully entering amilitary installation, amisdemeanor, whichthoroughly dismays Carl

Kabat. There will be no jurytrial this time. The most hefaces is six months federaltime or, more likely, just afine. One he swears hewill not pay. They got him before hegot around to using thejackhammer he broughtalong, one he swears hewas not going to use onthe missile silo. All he did,he said, is put a score ofanti-nuclear missile signseverywhere. All of which begged thequestion: Why? CarlKabat just laughs, amusedat my naiveté. “Nuclear weapons arean insanity,” he later says,with stone-cold serious-ness. It is impossible to dojustice to Carl Kabat’s lifeand his callings in thisspace. He fought just ashard against world hungerin a different life, before1976, when he partici-pated in his first anti-nuclear protest. It was in Plains, Ga. Jimmy Carter, a nuclearphysicist, had just beenelected president. Holdinga sign two blocks from thepresident-elect’s homenetted him five days in aGeorgia jail. He produces a sheaf ofpapers. It is his arrestrecord, “my rap sheet,” he

So he goes. He never harborsregret. You do what you canand, then, you sing and dance,he says. Weeping and wailinghelps nothing and no one.

Volume 6, Issue 2 Page 7

says with a laugh. It isnearly half an inch thick.

He has been in so manyjails and prisons, he says,he has lost track. “Theyare all the same,” he says,deadpan, “none worth adamn.” Yet, Carl Kabat sayshe feels freer inside themthan out here. He doesn’tknow, he says, how tolive his life differently. “You can write to thepresident or to thesenator, but nothing everchanges. I don’t saywhat I do is the bestthing, if my answer is theonly one or the rightone. “I’m just called tobe fairthful.” Even if it meansgoing to prison? Carl Kabat looksup, puzzled. “I don’tgo to prison,” he saysearnestly. “That’swhere they always putme.” So he goes. He neverharbors regret. “You dowhat you can and, then,you sing and dance,” hesays. “Weeping andwailing helps nothing andno one.” He will not pay anyfine, Carl Kabat says. Hewill not apologize forcalling out the nuclearweapons industry in thiscountry. If need be, hewill do yet another stretchin prison. “What else can I do?

We got 600-plus youngboys killed, supposedlybecause we wanted to getrid of weapons of massdestruction, weapons theystill haven’t found.” “I found one, and it’sright here in Colorado. Ihad no trouble doing it,and they’ll put me in prisonfor it. “I’ll go and I will singand dance.”

Carl Kabat, OMI wasconvicted on June 21,2004. On July 8,theDenver courts sentencedhim to 3 years probationand 300 hours commu-nity service.

Nuclear Weaponsat a Glance

Eight countries areknown to possess nuclearweapons: the five ac-knowledged nuclearweapon states-Russia, theUnited States, France,China, and the UnitedKingdom-and threecountries-India, Pakistan,and Israel-that are not

In clown makeup, Carl Kabat breaches the fence atMinuteman Missile silo site in Weld County, Coloradoin 2000..

accorded thestatus of nuclear weaponstates under the NuclearNon-Proliferation Treatybut nonetheless are knownto have developed andstockpiled the components

for nuclear weapons. Aninth country, NorthKorea, also may haveproduced a small numberof nuclear weapons. InMay 1998 India andPakistan conducted 5 and6 nuclear tests respec-tively, demonstratingextensive nuclear capabili-ties and beginning whatcould become an intensenuclear arms race in SouthAsia.

South Africa is theonly country to haveacquired nuclear weaponsand subsequently elimi-nated its nuclear arsenal.

The total number ofnuclear weapons in theworld is estimated to beas many as 35,000. (Seetable below.)

At its peak in 1986,the total number ofnuclear weapons in the

world was about 70,000.

The explosive power ofthe world’s arsenal isequivalent to approxi-mately 500,000 bombs ofthe size that were droppedon Hiroshima andNagasaki.

These facts come fromthe website of the Cana-dian organizationProject Ploughshareswhich can be found at:www.ploughshares.ca

Page 8 JPIC REPORT

Celebrating the Earth Darrell Rupiper, OMI

The early morning silenceand serenity that filled theamphitheatre were shat-tered by shouts of: “Thebuses are coming!” “Thebuses arecoming!”Earth Day2004 at theShrine of OurLady of theSnows wasunder way!Buses from28 elemen-tary schoolsbegan theirslow descentinto the arenawhere some36 exhibitorswouldcaptivate thecuriosity ofsome 1500youthon April 29& 30.In no time, allpresent wereswinging, singing, swayingand clapping inresponse to or along withthe animators on stage.After a dramatic reading ofone of the creation ac-counts from Genesis andan opening prayer lead byMaurice Lange, OMI,the groups were directedto their scheduled exhibitseach of which lasted about20 minutes.

During the reading ofour creation story fromGenesis I was struck bythe fact that the age-oldquestion of creation

(where, who, how, when,why) has from all agesinspired a multitude ofcreation stories comingfrom a diversity of reli-gions, cultures, peoplesand continents. Now, however, throughthe persistent probing,piercing and penetratingresearch of the curioushuman mind we have one,single, scientifically proven

creation story. That factand the fact that this discov-ery was made during ourgeneration which finds itselfwithin a creation process

that has been unfolding fornearly 15 billion years hasthe power within it of settingone ablaze with amazement. It is at times like thesethat feelings of being as if‘autistic’ invade my being.We humans are ill equippedto ‘take in’ the wonders ofour truly awesome God. I have not read themultitude of creationaccounts that exist today

For more informa-tion on bringingDarrell Rupiper,OMI to your parish,please contacthim atdrupiper2000@hotmail.com.

but I am absolutely certainthat none can rival thenewly-discovered universestory that now belongs toall.

SenatorGaylordNelsondeclared thefirst EarthDay in 1970.Twenty yearslater inspeaking ofcurrentecologicalproblems hestated that“they are agreater riskto Earth’slife-sustainingsystems thana nuclearwar.” I canthink of nobetter wayto care forthe Earth

than to learn our sacredstory and all the whilegiving God the GLORY!

Darrel Rupiper , OMI in one beautiful part of creation

Volume 6, Issue 2 Page 9

In Maryland, Steven Okenwas executed on June 17,thus ending a hard-wonmoratorium on the deathpenalty in that state.Efforts continue, however,to urge Maryland’s Gover-nor Ehrlich not to allow thisexecution to become thefirst of many. Sampleletters can be found at theweb site for Equal Justice,listed below.

The effort continues tosecure a moratorium on thedeath penalty in NorthCarolina, as citizens urgetheir representatives topass a bill which passed inthe Senate last spring.More information on thiscan be found at the websiteof the North CarolinaCoalition for a Moratorium.

One successful tactic hasbeen the passing of localmoratorium measures instates that currently havethe death penalty. Over100 such measures havepassed.

Other good news in thefight to end the deathpenalty is the “near extinc-tion” of the juvenile deathpenalty. Three states havebanned the execution ofjuvenile offenders in thepast year, and the USSupreme Court will soonconsider the issue. Cur-

rently, the United States isone of the few nations inthe world to continue toexecute juveniles. Pollsshow that only 26% of theUS public currently sup-ports this practice. In the1990s on average, morethan ten juveniles weresentenced to death eachyear, while in 2003 only

two recieved the deathpenalty. Many profession-als in the medical andscientific communities haveopposed the use of capitalpunishment against minorson the basis that they donot fully understand theconsequences of theiractions. Clearly, mindshave been changed on thispart of the issue due to thehard work of many (Ob-lates among them) andthere is potential for policy

change on other parts ofthis issue.

President Vincente Fox ofMexico has publicly calledthe US to task for placingseveral of its nationals ondeath row without notifyinglocal consular officials oftheir arrest, a violation ofthe Vienna Covention on

Consular Relations whichthe U.S. ratified in 1969.The International Court ofJustice ruled on this matteron March 31, 2004 statingthat the US is not fulfillingits obligations under theVienna Convention. TheState Department reportsthat it is studying the ICJdecision and consultingwith agencies that wouldbe affected.

Some have noted that

Jesus, our brother,you suffered execution at the hands of the statebut you did not let hatred overcome youHelp us to reach out to victims of violenceso that our enduring love may help them heal.Holy Spirit of God,You strengthen us in the struggle for justice,Help us to work tirelesslyfor the abolition of state-sanctioned deathand to renew our society in its very heartso that violence will be no more.Amen.From a prayer by Sr. Helen Prejean

many of those accused ofleading abusive behavior inthe Iraqi prison scandal hadworked as correctionsofficers in US prisons. Anarticle in the New YorkTimes on May 8, 2004noted that “Physical andsexual abuse of prisoners,similar to what has beenuncovered in Iraq, takesplace in American prisonswith little public knowledgeor concern, according tocorrection officials, inmates,and human rights advo-cates.” Clearly, a closeexamination of prisonconditions would bebeneficial in both nations.

Recently, Sr. HelenPrejean’s organization “TheMoratorium Campaign”became part of EqualJustice so as to present amore united front in theissue and consolidate theirefforts.

You can find moreinformation on thedeath penalty andthe efforts to securea moratorium onexecutions at theweb site of EqualJustice: http://www.quixote.org/ej/index.html.

The Current State of Challenges to the Death Penalty Rebecca Phares

Page 10 JPIC REPORT

Bangladesh and Human Rights: Testimony to the UN

The two texts that followwere presented at the UNas part ot the UN Perma-nent Forum on Indig-enous Issues, ThirdSession, UN Headquar-ters, New York 10 –21 May 2004. If youregularly read thispublication you willbe familiar with someof these issues al-ready, but I think youwill agree that bothSanjeeb Drong (whohas worked closelywith both Oblates inBangladesh and withour office here in theUS) and JoesphGomes, OMI, elo-quently present thesituation of indig-enous people inBangladesh.

The following is astatement by Fr.Joseph Gomes OMIin conjunction withthe BangladeshIndigenous PeoplesForum and Justiceand Peace Integra-tion of Creation,Bangladesh.

My name is Fr. JosephGomes, and I am repre-senting Justice and PeaceIntegration of Creation,Bangladesh, and I workwith Khasi, Garo and otherindigenous peoples living in

the Tea Estates in thenorth-eastern part ofBangladesh.

Mr. Chairman, indigenouspeoples are the main victims

of violations of human rightsall over the world. They areunder heavy pressure fromdevelopments beyond theircontrol. In many regions, theyhave been facing an uncertainfuture and their life, lan-guages, way of life, culturaldiversity are constantly under

threat. So, the PermanentForum should have a vitalrole to ensure the rights ofindigenous peoples to theirentire life. It should be en-sured that indigenous

peoples are controlling theirown development.

Therefore, Mr. Chairman,we would urge the Perma-nent Forum to consider thefollowing matters:

Encourage States and UN

agencies, financial institutionsand other specialized bodiesto take special measures inrelation to indigenous issuesso that indigenous peoplesare really benefited in those

areas such as eco-nomic and social de-velopment, culture,education, environ-ment, health and hu-man rights

Encourage States andUN specialized agen-cies to formulate spe-cial policies for indig-enous peoples that af-firm their cultural iden-tity and right to self-determination.

The following is astatement made bySanjeeb Drong whohas worked closelywith the Oblates toassure that therights of indigenouspeople are pro-tected:

My name is SanjeebDrong, and I amrepresenting the

Bangladesh IndigenousPeoples’ Forum, a nationalforum for indigenouspeoples of Bangladesh. Ispeak on behalf of ourorganizations and my Garocommunity of northern partof Bangladesh.

Joseph Gomes, OMI (right) makes a statement regarding indig-enous people in Bangladesh as Sanjeeb Drong (middle) andSeamus Finn, OMI (left) look on.

Volume 6, Issue 2 Page 11

As in many other parts of theworld, the indigenouspeoples of Bangladesh arefacing serious human rightsviolations. Our land, forestand territory where we livedhave been taken away with-out our free, prior and in-formed consent, to buildNational parks, dams, Eco-parks, reserve forests, pro-tected areas, tourism andeven establishing militarybases and training centres. Insome of the areas known as“reserved forests”, not onlyare the original inhabitantsregarded as encroachers andtreated as serfs, but they arealso victimized by assaults ofForest guards and hundredsof oppressive criminal cases.It is our misfortunate perhapsthat we are discriminatedagainst not only as indigenouspeoples, but also as linguis-tic and religious minorities.

Mr. Chairman, indigenouspeoples are under heavypressure from developmentsbeyond our control. Landdispossession is a seriousproblem in other parts ofBangladesh as well, in thesouth, northwest, northeast,and north-central Bangladeshincluding the greaterMymensingh area, which ismy traditional home. How-ever, large parts of the terri-tories of our Garo and Khasipeoples are still consideredas a “reserved forest”, whichis guarded by Forest guardscarrying guns. At one time

our territory was constitution-ally recognized as a speciallyadministered area. That is nomore, and without our con-sent.

In 2001, the Bangladesh gov-ernment started a program toestablish “Eco-parks” onKhasi and Garo land inMoulvibazar district for so-called tourism development.1,000 indigenous families arethreatened with eviction fromtheir ancestral land. Another

Eco-park project has beentaken in Modhupur forest toevict 25,000 indigenouspeoples from their ancestralhomeland. Similarly, manyother aboriginal lands, even

those with private titles, havebeen unfairly and illegallytaken over by non-indig-enous people, in violation ofthe East Bengal State Acqui-sition and Tenancy Act of1950 (Section 97), which re-stricts transfer of aboriginalland title to non-aboriginals.

Mr. Chairman, we are fear-ful that the situation of humanrights of indigenous peoplesof Bangladesh will not im-prove without the constitu-tional recognition of the in-digenous peoples, the imple-mentation of the CHT PeaceAccord, and the inclusion ofindigenous peoples’ repre-sentatives in the appropriatepolicy-making bodies, in-cluding the Ministry ofChittagong Hill Tracts Affairsand the Special Affairs Divi-sion, in a substantive manner.

Mr. Chairman, we wouldurge the Permanent Forum toconsider the following mat-ters:

Encourage reforms within theILO system to enable indig-enous peoples to have for-mal access to the body andto play a more direct role inhelping monitor the compli-ance of the Conventions No.169 and 107;

States should have indepen-dent national human rightscommission, and indigenousrepresentation should be en-sured in the commission;

Permanent Forum shouldhave role to monitor thatstates are maintaining andimplementing the rights of in-digenous peoples written inthe conventions they haveratified.

Moloya Chisim (L) and Flora Bably Talang (R) alsotraveled from Bangladesh to participate in theforum.

Page 12 JPIC REPORT

Socially Responsible Investing Grows Seamus Finn, OMI

In early June I wasinvited by faith basedinvestors in South Korea

to give a number of presenta-tions on the work of theInterfaith Center on Corpo-rate Responsibility in the U.S.and to explore with themopportunities for collabora-tion in areas of commoninterest. This was one of anincreasing number of invita-tions that ICCR has receivedfrom socially responsibleinvestment groups at theinternational level in recentyears. It has furthermore beenencouraging that theseinvitations have come fromdifferent regions of the world.

In many instances religiousand faith based investors areamong the founding membersof these new organizationsand they continue to be activein providing resources anddirection to these efforts. Thesee this dimension of theirwork and ministry as a waythat they can more fullyintegrate their assets andresources into their missionand often at the same timewitness to the values andbeliefs that they share withfollowers of other faithtraditions and men andwomen of good will. Reliableaccess to safe water contin-ues to be an issue of concernfor SRT investors and theglobal community.Cognizant of the ever increas-

ing influence which corpo-rations have in all areas ofour lives including theenvironment, faith basedinvestors work with corpo-

rations to ensure that thisinfluence will make apositive contribution to thequality of peoples lives.Joined by other colleagues

in the secular and for profitsectors we have justcompleted a very successfulyear of advocacy, debate,collaboration and educa-

A waterfall in Madhabkunda-Muraichera in Sylhet, Bangladesh.Who owns it? How much does it cost? Who has access?

Volume 6, Issue 2 Page 13

tion. The fact that we havealso been able to connectwith allies from otherregions in the world prom-ises even more successfulefforts in the years to come.

Socially ResponsibleInvesting Trends in theUnited States

The SRI trend in the U.S.has increased exponentiallyin recent years and hasbeen closely watched bythe traditional investingcommunity. Many of theSRI funds which have beencreated were supportedthrough the efforts ofdifferent religious groupsand or individuals. Mem-bers of ICCR have beenactive collaborator in theseefforts and they continue towork closely with membersof the SRI community...

According to the datapresented in 2003 by theSocial Investment Forum,“socially and environmen-tally responsible investing inthe United States hasproven remarkably robustduring 2001 and 2002despite sluggish marketconditions that have re-sulted in a downturn inassets in the wider invest-ment universe. Mostnotably, socially screenedportfolios counted by thisreport grew seven percent,while the broader universe

of professionally managedportfolios fell four percent.”

Total SRI Assets

A total of $2.16 trillion inassets was identified inprofessionally managedportfolios using one ormore of the three coresocially responsible invest-ing strategies – screening,shareholder advocacy, andcommunity investing. Morethan one out of every ninedollars under professionalmanagement in the UnitedStates today is involved insocially responsible invest-ing. The $2.16 trillionmanaged by major investinginstitutions — includingpension funds, mutual fundfamilies, foundations,religious organizations, andcommunity developmentfinancial institutions — hasremained stable, accountingfor 11.3 percent of the total$19.2 trillion in investmentassets under professionalmanagement in the UnitedStates, nearly equal to2001.

Community investingclimbed 84 percent be-tween 2001 and 2003.Assets held and investedlocally by communitydevelopment financialinstitutions (CDFIs) basedin the United States totaled$14 billion in 2003, up from$7.6 billion in 2001. 1

Shareholder Resolu-tions in 2004

The annual meeting seasonat U.S. companies in 2004has set a new record forthe number of shareholderresolutions filed on alltopics (1,110 up from theprevious high of 1,081 in2003) but particularly forproposals on social issues(340; up from the previousmark of 328 in 1991, ofwhich 81 were SouthAfrica related). Theseason also saw a numberof new campaigns intro-duced and some creativeresponses from corporatemanagements. Theseincluded an agreement toimplement what the resolu-tion is asking for or recom-mending a vote in favor ofthe resolution.

A quick survey reveals that57 resolutions wereintroduced on the environ-ment, 52 on politicaldonations, 34 on globallabor issues, 32 on Equal-ity, 27 on Sustainabilityreporting, 24 on healthcare, 16 on charitabledonations, 14 access tomedicines for HIV/AIDS,TB, Malaria, 92 “other”,including abortion.2

A summary of some of thevoting reveals that the laborstandards resolution atDisney concerning Interna-tional Labor Organization

core conventions received28.8%.Global Warming resolutionsat energy companies;Apache received 30-34%,Anadarko (28%) andMarathon (27%).

First year resolutions thatwent to a vote on increasingaccess to medicines forpeople struggling with HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malariawere also supported byshareholders: Abbott: 6.7,Bristol Myers Squibb: 7.2,Merck: 13.9, Pfizer: 9.8,Caterpillar: 4.8,ChevronTexaco: 8.0, Pepsi:7.7, Coke: 97.0 (Manage-ment recommended a votein favor)

On the Horizon

Behind all of this successare the commitments ofconcerned individualinvestors who continue tovote their own proxies andinsist that their representa-tives on investment commit-tees, pension boards andmutual funds include qualityof life, social and environ-mental issues in theirinvestment decisions. Theirtireless efforts have beenproven both financiallyprudent, good for the earthand for the human commu-nity.1 2003 Report on SociallyResponsible Investing Trendsin the United States2 ICCR Corporate Social IssuesReporter

Page 14 JPIC REPORT

An Update on Haiti: “Security and civiladministration essential in the north”

“Things are slowly getting back to normal, but the crisisis a long way from being resolved,” Monsignor HubertConstant, President of the Haitian Bishops’ Conference,told MISNA by telephone from the northern city ofCap-Haitien, of which he is the Archbishop.

“Two hundred French troops from the internationalpeacekeeping contingent arrived in the city about a weekago, and it can be said that the mood is fairly peaceful.People are going about their business, but here everyoneis living from one day to the next,” continued the prelate.“On the contrary, there are reports of unrest in FortLiberté (56 kilometres east of Cap-Haitien, near theborder with Dominican Republic), where armed gangsare looting and pillaging. It is vital that security berestored,” added our interlocutor, insisting on a rapiddeployment of foreign troops, ”if only to act as a deter-rent”.

In the northern areas, the civil administration has not yetbeen restored. “In some towns or villages, individuals areproclaiming themselves mayor, but no-one has yet beendesignated by the central government,” continuedArchbishop Constant. “In the Cap, a committee hasbeen created to identify people for presentation to theexecutive at the given moment”. Fuel is beginning toreach Cap-Haitien, but only those residents in posses-sion of a generator can expect to have electricity.

“It is possible to see the beginnings of new politicalreconstruction, but the country needs a major economicboost,” continued the prelate. The Bishops’ Conferencehas not commented on the question of the nomination ofthe new government, led by the new Premier, GérardLatortue. “We hear good things about the people whohave been chosen,” concludes Monsignor Constant, “butwe will judge the ability of the new government by thefacts.” (MISNA – www.misna.org)

The preceding update on Haiti was released onMarch 24, 2004, but many of the realities describeddo, as far as we can tell, still hold true.

From May 9 to May 14,on behalf of the BorderPilgrimage Planning Com-mittee, West Cosgrove ofthe Maryknoll BorderTeam, Roberto Martinezformerly of the AmericanFriends Service Commit-tee, Julia Dietz of theReligious Task Force onCentral America andMexico, and RebeccaPhares of the OblateJustice and Peace/Integrityof Creation traveled fromLaredo to Brownsville,meeting with some won-derful organizations andindividuals and strengthen-ing contacts along the way.

John Lasseigne, OMIhosted us in San Juan. Heprovided hospitality andarranged meetings withseveral local groups. Wehad a chance to meet withArmand Mathew, OMI,as well and hear a fewstories from his many yearsin the area, as well as learna little more about his“Project Youth Vote.”

Our purpose was two-fold:to get to know the issuesfacing the Rio GrandeValley and Laredo area,and to get to know someof the organizers in thatarea to facilitate better

communication for anyfuture joint projects. Thisbrief summary provides ageneral picture of what wefound.

Overall, Laredo and theRio Grande Valley arepolitically conservative andeconomically depressedareas, which makes orga-nizing very challenging.

In the Rio Grande Valleywe met with organizers andgroups in McAllen,Harlingen and Brownsville,most of whom focus onmeeting local needs in thishighly impoverished area.Some groups provide legaland social services toresidents (BARCA,programs of Holy SpiritParish, Pharr CommunityOutreach Project,Proyecto Libertad), tasksthat are increasingly difficultas public hospitals leave thearea, and as federal fundingoften will not cover ser-vices provided to undocu-mented immigrants.

Also, while some undocu-mented immigrants live inthe area, several peoplenoted that fewer undocu-mented immigrants settle inthe area compared to otherplaces in the US.

A Journey to Laredoand the Rio Grande Valley Rebecca Phares

Volume 6, Issue 2 Page 15

SOA LegislativeAdvocacy Opportunity

We have news from thefolks at SOAWATCH:

The best opportunity forthe movement of legislationto close theSOA/WHINSEC iscoming soon. It wasrecently announced thatthe ForeignOperations Appropriationsbill may actually be comingto the House floor asearly as July 19th. Histori-cally, we have had a gooddeal of success in ourlegislative efforts when aMember of Congress hasintroduced anamendment to that bill tocut the funds for “scholar-ships” for the foreignsecurity forces attendingthe school, rendering itinoperable.

We still need to reach ourgoal of at least 150 co-sponsors before Rep.McGovern will moveforward with this amend-ment.

That means you havethe great opportunity tomeet with your representa-tive to get them to take astand and co-sponsor HR1258. As the summercampaign season drawsnearer,

they are much more opento constitituent concerns.What you can do:- Write a letter. A sampleletter is available online at:http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=572. But ifyou can, hand written,personal letters are veryinfluencial. Mail and/or faxa copy to thedistrict and DC office.Then ask other people towrite letters.- Start recruiting otherpeople to attend yourdistrict meeting. It’simportant to bring thebroadest coalition pos-sible—i.e. local religiousleaders, labor union mem-bers, students, professors,local politicians,members/leaders of otherorganizations, etc.

Bill Offers Debt Relief

On June 3, 2004 JubileeUSA announced theintroduction of the JUBI-LEE Act of 2004 (HR4511) which would cancelthe debts owed by impov-erished countries to theIMF.

“The JUBILEE Act willhelp build a better, saferworld by providing impov-erished nations the freshstart necessary for devel-opment,” said MarieClarke, National Coordi-

Legislative and Advocacy Update

nator of Jubilee USANetwork. “The cancellationof debts owed to the IMFwould remove a majorimpediment to povertyeradication and economicgrowth in Asia, Africa andLatin America and enablethe nations to invest theirown resources in healthcare, education, andpoverty reduction.”

Please contact your con-gressional representativesand urge them to become acosponsor of this piece oflegislation, which wouldfree up resources for theuse of governments ofimpoverished nations,potentially allowing in-creased spending oneducation, social services,and development. Simplyask them to co-sponsor theJUBILEE Act (HR 4511).

Immigration RelatedBills: the good, the badand the ugly

Several pieces of legislationhave emerged over the lastyear or so. The DREAMAct (S. 1545 and HR1684, known as theStudent Adjustment Act)would allow immigrantstudents who had com-pleted high school in theUnited States and livedhere for several years toattend state schools at the

in-state tuition rate. Cur-rently, high, out-of-statetuition rates prevent de-serving immigrant youthfrom pursuing their educa-tional goals. These billswould allow them signifi-cant new opportunities.Please call your Senator orRepresentative and urgethem to sign on to this billor thank them for theirsupport.

The CLEAR Act (HR2671) introduced byRepresentative CharlieNorwood (R-GA), wouldrequire state and local lawenforcement agencies toenforce federal immigrationlaws even though they arenot provided with addi-tional resources or trainingto undertake this new role.Numerous police depart-ments and many conserva-tive organizations havespoken out against this act,saying that it would hinderlocal law enforcement andcreate additional burdenson already-overburdenedenforcement agencies.Clearly, undocumentedimmigrants would be lesslikely to seek help from lawenforcement, thus leadingto more dangerous com-munities for everyone.Urge your Representativeto oppose the CLEARAct.

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I object to violence becausewhen it appears to do good,the good is only temporary;

the evil it does ispermanent.

Mahatma Gandhi