This year's report includes five categories of concern brought to the attention of the General Assembly Council (GAC), for the most part, by the partner churches around the world. They are civil, political, economic, social and cultural, and religious. The "Human Rights Update 2003?2004," however, should not be construed by the members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as the definitive statement of all the human rights violations received by the GAC during the course of the year. The 216th General Assembly (2004) encourages the members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to continue to pray and work to end all forms …
This resolution on Human Rights focuses on the United States, as our nation has gone from being a leader in the cause of human rights to a cause for alarm among democratic nations. None of the observations in this report are pleasant to make, nor are they meant to delineate the full scope of human rights' concerns in the world. Ongoing, entrenched human suffering and pervasive abuse of power continue to plague the peoples of the world. This resolution follows the biblical model provided by the prophet Amos, who surveyed the countries around Judah with judgments attributed to God, before …
The World Mission's South America Office, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, and the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship are three resources available to the members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who want to join with our sisters and brothers in Colombia as they work to end the patterns of internal violence that are tearing this country apart. Finally, as stated in the introduction of this report, the World Mission's ministry areas and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, in consultation with the Office of the General Assembly and other entities of the General Assembly Council, are available to help the members of the Presbyterian Church …
The role of the church at every level is to be at least part of the conscience of society. The basis for our daring to hold Amos' plumb line of justice is our understanding that the prophetic role is willing to challenge those in power, kings of Israel then, governments today. The Human Rights Update has always recognized the global scope of God's justice and honored all of the organizations and individuals who work to bring cruel practices to light and open prison doors. We see God's spirit leading and calling in the countless acts of conscience to which brief …
In fulfillment of the direction of the 221st General Assembly (2014), this report provides a comprehensive policy on trafficking based on a human rights approach. As stipulated, this report covers forced labor, sex trafficking, bonded labor, debt bondage, involuntary domestic servitude, forced child labor, child soldiers, child sex trafficking, illegal adoption, and organ harvesting, underlining the conditions that affect vulnerability. A study team has gratefully drawn on expertise from those coalitions with whom the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has long worked, including Freedom Network, U.S.A., the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, and End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT-USA), part of an international …
This report contains policies to curtail the on-going tragedy of human trafficking. It addresses not only sex trafficking and child trafficking, but labor trafficking and lesser known ways that persons can be bought and sold. It speaks of forced labor more than modern slavery, but both phrases point to a grim reality in many international supply chains for products from fish to fashion. It reviews laws, coalitions, different approaches to prostitution (including safe harbor laws for minors), codes of conduct for tourism, fair trade and worker-driven social responsibility, all in a globalizing market context. The human rights approach seeks to …
This document consists of two reports: Report and Recommendations on the Social and Health Effects of Alcohol Use and Abuse as well as Implementation of an Expanded Churchwide Address to Alcohol-Related Problems that were adopted by the 198th General Assembly (1986). Considers the impact of federal and state tax policies on use and abuse of alcohol, the export of alcohol from the US to developing countries, the advertising of alcohol through media, and toll of death and injury resulting from drinking and driving. Members of the task force prepared a policy statement and recommendations in the hope that they will …
An effective address to human health needs requires a comprehensive, whole-person approach to health and health services. Pneuma, psyche, and soma, spirit-mind-body, are interconnected in complex ways. To ignore the spiritual or mental dimensions of a person while addressing physical injury or illness is as scientifically irresponsible as it is religiously irresponsible to treat spiritual needs and ignore the physical and mental dimensions of the human body. The understanding and definition of health and healthcare should be largely derived from this holistic perspective rather than a purely medical one. Health, it can be argued, is the ability to respond effectively …
The record of health care in the waning years of the twentieth century is the story of entrapment and abandonment. Too many of us have no access to health care. Many more of us are facing reduced benefits and the threat of economic hardship and even bankruptcy. Our children and parents are at risk. The pattern is distinguished by diminished access and dwindling benefits. In such a grave situation, Presbyterians at all levels are called upon to act in whatever way they are best suited to bring about a comprehensive National Medical Plan."
This document offers a biblical and theological rationale in light of the current situation for church involvement advocating on behalf of uninsured persons. It also provides the framework for a congregational plan to advocate for health care access for all, as well as a copy of legislation currently before Congress and calling for basic access to health care for all. Several trends affecting the uninsured are then explored followed by an examination of the challenges ahead as Presbyterians seek to be responsible in both their public and private lives in the quest of furthering God’s intention of health (shalom) for …