|
We, participants in the U.S. Social Forum Peace Caucus Recognizing the devastating effects of the U.S. occupation on the Iraqi people;
And acknowledging the relevance of the Iraq war and occupation to our struggle for social justice in our communities and our world;
Emphasize the urgency of a rapid and humane end to the occupation.
We therefore call for the following:
1) Military Withdrawal. The United States to immediately and completely withdraw all troops and bases from Iraq.
2) Iraqi National Reconciliation.
The United States and the international community to play a supporting
role in a national reconciliation process led by legitimate
representatives of Iraq's diverse peoples.
3) Regional Stabilization.
The United States to ask international institutions, such as the United
Nations, the Arab League, and the Organization of the Islamic
Conference, to sponsor regional conferences of all neighboring
countries, including Iran and Syria, to seek measures to end the civil
war and stabilize Iraq's future.
4) Reconstruction and Reparations.
The United States to provide sufficient resources to an internationally
administered fund to address the humanitarian crisis in Iraq, repair
the physical damage caused by its invasion and occupation of Iraq and
to provide reparations to Iraqis.
5) Support for veterans.
The United States to provide sustained and sufficient support for all
the veterans and their families who have suffered in this war.
6) Words, not war with Iran.
The United States to cooperate with other countries and the United
Nations to support the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and engage Iran
in direct diplomatic negotiations-- without preconditions-to end the
nuclear standoff and promote the stabilization of Iraq.
7) Change U.S. foreign policy.
The United States to shift its foreign policy to consistently support
international law and institutions for a more just global system.
8) Transition to culture of peace.
The United States to support domestic policies and programs that foster
the transition from a culture of war to a culture of peace, human
rights, and justice.
Final Declaration and Action Plan
Adopted by the Peace Caucus of the United States Social Forum
June 30, 2007, Atlanta Georgia
In order to achieve the citizen's peace plan, to strengthen work for
peace and social justice, and to prevent future wars, delegates to the
Peace Caucus at the United States Social Forum commit ourselves to
taking the following actions to make another world possible. We
encourage others in the United States and around the world to join with
us to advance the cause of peace with justice.
1) We will participate in multiple activities of community groups other
than our own, following the motto of "giving before we ask" others to
support our campaigns.
2) In our work we will remain consistently mindful of the connections
between justice, peace, human rights, and human relations on the earth.
3) We will constantly strive to facilitate healing as we work to promote a culture of peace and human rights.
4) Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights on 10 December 2008, we commit to building awareness of
human rights in our communities.
5) We commit to continuing the conversations begun at the United States
Social Forum, sharing what we have learned and supporting each other in
moving forward. We will work to support social forums in our
communities in January 2008 as we look towards the second U.S. Social
Forum in 2010.
|