As an ecumenical organization accountable to American churches and concerned with the direction being taken by the U.S., the statement went on to raise the challenge: "We believe that the U.S. should renew and invigorate its leadership in the promotion of human rights, support the U.N. as a forum for airing grievances, ratify the Genocide Convention without delay, and support the Covenants of Human Rights." During subsequent years the position of the Council moved from one of challenge to disappointment and then to criticism, because of the abdication of the United States from a position of leadership in international efforts to establish an adequate international framework to guarantee protection of human rights. In its policy statement, "Imperatives of Peace and Responsibilities of Power," (February 1968) the Governing Board issued a sharp judgment, when it declared: “The United States has defeated its true national interest by hoarding sovereignty as in respect of the reservations upon employment of the International Court of Justice *** and the failure to ratify conventions on human rights. Professions by the U.S. in support of the promotion of human rights and freedoms * * * have not been matched by action to strengthen U.N. policies or to bring justice to the victims of such practices." In its most recent declaration in this regard ("The United Nations and World Community," May 1977) the Council observed: "In promoting human rights, the adoption by the General Assembly of the Universal Declaration and the bringing into force of a series of international covenants and conventions on human rights, the U.N. has helped to focus the world's attention on the requirements of human dignity and fulfillment and to define the goals and the standards for their realization. Despite the fact that these treaties are in force, the failure of many countries, including the U.S., to ratify these covenants and conventions and the lack of means of enforcement have helped thwart the achievement of even minimal goals." The Council and many of its member churches have been encouraged by the initiative now taken by President Carter in signing the International Human Rights Covenants and submitting them to the Senate for advice and consent for ratification. We believe that U.S. ratification will enhance the observance of human rights within our own country and throughout the world. Furthermore it will give an increased dimension of credibility to U.S. efforts for the improvement of human rights. Mr. Chairman, the Council views the principles and goals embodied in the two International Covenants as consonant with many of the aims expressed in Council policy over the years. We submit with this testimony a study entitled, "Comparison of National Council of Churches Policy and the International Human Rights Covenants" (appendix I). Examining this document one is struck by the number and diversity of Council statements which relate to almost all of the articles of the Covenants, in specific and fundamental ways. We feel that this agreement exists because Council policy and the International Covenants seek to reflect the highest principles shared by the human community, principles that are also embodied in U.S. values and in the U.S. Constitution. It is not necessary to review these similarities in detail, but we wish to emphasize that they illustrate a growing consensus in the religious and secular communities concerning those rights which affirin the dignity and worth of every human being. We hope that the members of this committee and the Senate will take the opportunity to study this document. It is a careful summary of those matters that have been of priority concern to the Protestant and Orthodox communities related to the Council as they have struggled with issues of justice, peace and reconciliation during the past three decades. We see U.S. ratification of the International Human Rights Covenants as a major step in the struggle to assure the observance of human rights and the enhancement of human dignity. We repeat our expression of gratitude to President Jimmy Carter for signing the Covenants and submitting them to the Senate. We energetically urge the Senate to consent to ratification of the Covenants. |