|
The
Leadership Conference of Women Religious joins its voice with
other faith-based organizations and human rights groups in
expressing our abhorrence and shame at the abuse perpetrated on
Iraqi prisoners by some members of the U.S. military.
These inexcusable atrocities violate our common humanity.
We
do not accept the explanation of our government leaders that
these acts were the behavior of a few individuals. Rather,
we see these abusive actions as symptomatic of a deeper,
pervasive sickness. All of us share the responsibility and
the blame - the soldiers who performed these heinous acts,
military officials who had oversight for the treatment of
prisoners, U.S. government officials who ignored reports of
these abuses, and all of us who have contributed in some way to
our culture of violence.
The
Leadership Conference of Women Religious, an organization
representing 73,000 Catholic women religious in the United
States, urges that the following actions be taken to begin to
address these serious violations of human dignity and human
rights:
- Now
that President Bush has issued a late and limited apology
for the abusive treatment of Iraqi prisoners, that there be
a thorough investigation, and that the results be made
public.
- That
this investigation include any personnel regardless of rank
or office who had knowledge of these atrocities and allowed
them to continue with impunity
- That
any military, intelligence, or privately contracted
personnel found to have engaged in or encouraged acts of
torture or inhumane treatment be prosecuted
- That
there be a complete and public Congressional oversight
hearing and investigation into the treatment of all
detainees held by the U.S. military anywhere in the world,
an investigation which will allow Members of Congress to
exercise their powers and rights to enable the balance of
power to be restored.
- That
all prisoners held by the United States be granted access to
international monitoring groups such as the Red Cross, the
Red Crescent, Amnesty International, and the United Nations
- That
US government and military officials make a commitment to
protect the human dignity and rights of the Iraqi people.
As
leaders of religious congregations we reach out to our Muslim
sisters and brothers. We grieve with you. We share
your outrage. We will continue to pray and work for social
justice, peace, and respect for human dignity and human rights
of all people.
As
a nation we share in the shame. Together we must work to
assure that these abuses never happen again.
|
