On December 10th the international community celebrates and observes Human Rights Day. We
do this in observance of the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 by
the United Nations General Assembly. This document solidifies the universal concept of human
equality, accepted by the ideological or religious belief throughout the world, and declares the
rights and duties that we internationally recognize as members of the human community. The
United States of America, as a member nation of the world, affirms the principles of this
universal declaration. In an annual proclamation to the American people President George W.
Bush “calls upon the people of the United States to mark these observances with appropriate
ceremonies and activities.”

It is with the intention of promoting the 30 articles of Universal Human Rights that we here at the
8th Day Center for Justice, a national Catholic social justice organization, offer these reflections
and actions on Human Right issues related to us as citizens of the United States of America.

REFLECTING ON HUMAN RIGHTS

One of the ways that we wish to promote the concept of human rights is to have all members of
the human community take ownership of their own rights as well as the rights of their neighbors.
To that end, please spend a few moments reflecting on the following passages from documents
related to human rights.

1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason
and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 1. of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

2. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed
by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the
pursuit of Happiness.
The United States of America  Declaration of Independence
www.ushistory.org/declaration

3. Use a passage from a document from your religious or ideological belief that focuses on
human rights. For Catholics, we recommend the following: Every Human being is a person; that
is, human nature is endowed with intelligence and free will. Indeed, precisely because one is a
person one has rights and obligations flowing directly and simultaneously from one’s very
nature.
Pacem in Terris: Peace on Earth, 1963, John XXIII, Paragraph #9
www.osjspm.org/cst/pt.htm

ACTIONS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Another way that we want to promote the concept of human rights is to defend the Universal
Human Rights Declaration Article #5: No one shall be subject to torture or to cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment.

Background:

In violation of the Geneva Conventions, as well as the Convention Against Torture and other
Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment, the US Congress is attempting to pass a bill that would
allow the outsourcing of torture. Even after the horror of torture was brought to our homes via
media reports of the abuses of Abu Ghraib, we have yet to learn our lesson that torture is never
justifiable.

Furthermore, the media has brought the debate on torture and the Geneva conventions to us, the
people. If our lawmakers and the media do not hear our moral concerns now they will likely
abandon the Conventions. This would be a huge blow for international law as well as the saftey
of any future American POWs who could be subjected  to torture.

ACTIONS

1.The bills S.2845 and HR10 which allows the US to export prisoners for torture are in
conference committee now wherein both houses will try to resolve their differences.

Write/phone the following persons who sit on this committee: Collins, Lott, DeWine, Voinovich,
Sununu, Coleman, Leiberman, Levin, Durbin, Rockefeller, Graham FL, Lautenburg. Urge them
to oppose any bill that encourages torture of any kind.

Write them through www.congress.gov
Call the congressional switchboard 202-224-3121 and asking for one of these persons.

2. The public relations war for torture and against the Geneva Conventions is heating up. Now is
the time to write letters to the editor of your local and national newspapers and let them know
you oppose torture. Let them know that the country you grew up in would never endorse the
cruelty and brutality of torture at home or abroad.
 
For more action information please visit the 8th Day UN page at www.8thdaycenter.org/UN.html