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Sharon Grimes, W A M M
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International Declaration Endorsing Women’s Rights Adopted
On March 4 the UN Commission on the Status of Women unanimously adopted the international declaration endorsing women’s rights. The United States had tried to attach an anti-abortion rights amendment, but was forced to back down because of overwhelming opposition from other countries. The declaration endorses the platform adopted in 1995 by the UN women’s conference in Beijing.
Canada Rejects U.S. Missile Defense
Canada’s prime minister announced on February 24 that his country would not participate with the United States in developing a missile defense system. Canada’s refusal to be involved in the costly weapons program presents Bush with a major diplomatic setback. The president was in Nova Scotia in December, and he had asked for Canada’s support for the program.
Department of Peace Bill Reintroduced
A bill to create a Department of Peace will be reintroduced in the House in 2005. As of December 2004, the bill had 53 sponsors; Jim Oberstar, Martin Sabo, and Betty McCollum previously cosponsored the bill. Among other things, the department would “hold peace as an organizing principle”; create a Peace Academy that would provide a four-year concentration in peace training; and establish January 1 as Peace Day.
Vermont Towns Choose Peace
Antiwar resolutions were voted on by 52 Vermont towns on Town Meeting Day, March 1. Among other things, the resolution calls for the return of U.S. troops from Iraq. Although not all votes were reported, 38 towns passed some form of the resolution, three defeated it, three decided not to vote on it, and one had a tie vote. All three members of Vermont’s congressional delegation voted against invading Iraq.
War Affects Army Recruiting Goals
The Army missed its February recruiting goal of 7,050, the first time it has missed a monthly goal since May 2000. It blames the 1,936 shortfall on concern that once in the Army, soldiers will be sent to Iraq. The Army said the improving economy has also made it harder to attract recruits. In addition, in the past five years, the number of blacks has dropped by about one-third and the number of women has dropped 13 percent.
Rumsfeld Faces Lawsuits over Torture Policies
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is being sued by the American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights First on behalf of eight men who say they were tortured by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The suit says the men “suffered physical and psychological injuries while incarcerated in U.S. detention facilities” and that Rumsfeld bears responsibility for the treatment because he signed off on the policy guidelines for prisoner treatment.
Supreme Court Rejects Death Penalty for Juveniles
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on March 1 to ban the death penalty for juvenile offenders who commit crimes while under the age of 18. Judge Anthony Kennedy said the “determination finds confirmation in the stark reality that the United States is the only country in the world that continues to give official sanction to the juvenile death penalty.” Nineteen states (not including Minnesota) still allowed the death penalty for juvenile killers.
Israel Reconsiders Home Demolitions
Israel said it would stop demolishing the homes of families of suicide bombers and other attackers. After conducting a review of the practice, a military panel said destroying the homes was not a significant deterrent and inflamed hatred.
Brazilian Nature Reserve Honors Slain Nun Dorothy Stang
The president of Brazil has said he will set aside 8.15 million acres for a nature reserve and 1.1 million acres as a national park to honor a nun who was murdered in February. Dorothy Stang worked to protect the jungle and was killed in an area of the Amazon that has become increasingly violent because of the actions of logging companies and wealthy landowners accused of “illegal occupation of public lands and illegal logging.”
Antiwar Student Group Stands Firm
A student group at Bloomington Kennedy High School, Youth Against War and Racism, set up a display and listened to antiwar speakers in February. The American Legion threatened to pull funding of school programs and the display was taken down. The American Legion claimed to be concerned that materials being distributed were not properly identified. Under pressure from community activists, the school backed down and allowed the group to continue its work. The student group has distributed literature before and has circulated a petition requesting that military recruiters be banned from the school. |
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Middle East Blog Resources
“The occasional thoughts of a Muslim woman, Islam, current events, my life, and whatever else interests me.”
click here
Iranians for Peace
click here
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© 2005 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete April 2005 Index - click here
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