Tell President Bush to Rededicate the US to the Geneva Conventions
26 May 2004
WASHINGTON, DC (May 26, 2004)—On May 29th, nearly a million World War II veterans and their families will join President Bush for the dedication of the new World War II memorial in Washington, DC.
As part of a coalition of veterans and human rights organizations, Oxfam America is collecting signatures to an online petition that calls on President Bush to rededicate our nation to the Geneva Conventions and principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
Following the atrocities of WWII, traditional American and international values led to humanitarian laws that called on all parties to protect the lives and dignity of civilians, prisoners of war, and wounded combatants around the world—including the Iraqi people and US men and women serving today in Iraq. The United States helped create IHL and we expect the world community to respect and uphold the laws that protect civilians and prisoners of war. Therefore, the US should uphold these laws as well.
The documented prison abuse in Abu Ghraib and the cited mistreatment of detainees in US custody from Kabul to Guantanamo underscores the need for President Bush to rededicate our nation to these principles. "The rights outlined by the Geneva Conventions are universal. American leadership in upholding these rights protects and supports Americans serving our country in Iraq and around the world. It also protects innocent civilians caught up in conflict," said Krista Riddley, Oxfam's Deputy Policy Director.
During a prepared speech to the nation on Monday, President Bush had the opportunity to talk about the United States' commitment to upholding the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law—laws that American values helped shape and strengthen. Unfortunately, he did not murmur a word about our commitment to these universal standards and principles.
Oxfam America and our petition partners including Amnesty International USA, Education for Peace in Iraq Center, National Council of Churches, Physicians for Social Responsibility and Veterans for Common Sense call on President Bush to not abandon traditional American values in the quest for security and to honor the unprecedented national sacrifice and service of a generation of Americans.
The online petition, now open for signatures, and to be delivered to the White House reads:
"We, the undersigned citizens of the United States, affirm the international cooperation, universal humanitarian principles, and human rights law that arose from the ashes of World War II, thanks to the unprecedented national sacrifice and service of a generation of Americans.
We call upon President George W. Bush to honor that legacy by rededicating our nation to the Geneva Conventions, the Charter of the United Nations, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a framework of law that protects the lives and dignity of civilians, prisoners of war, and wounded combatants—including the Iraqi people and our men and women serving today in Iraq."
To sign the petition visit the petition partner website at http://www.epic-usa.org/Default.aspx?tabid=244.
