North American Dominican Coordinating Committee on Iraq March 19, 2007, as the fifth year of war begins... In light of the escalating humanitarian crisis of the Iraqi people, the entrenched violence of the insurgency, and the recent plan by the President of the United States to increase the level of US troop presence in the country, the North American Dominican Coordinating Committee on Iraq continues to express its concern for peace and makes the following statement. The time has come for genuine
diplomatic and political solutions in Iraq. We
urge the US Administration -- in collaboration with the United
Nations and the International Community -- to seek a comprehensive
cease fire by all factions in the country and to work with
the Iraqi government on issues of national security, humanitarian
aid, and reconstruction. We
believe that regional conferences which address the conflicts
in the Middle East may open new possibilities for peace in
Iraq and we urge the US to participate with a genuine will
to achieve peace.
We urge the Administration and Congress to recognize
that the Iraqi refugee situation, precipitated by the US
invasion, has added to the destabilization of the entire
region. Approximately
2 million Iraqis have fled their country since the inception
of war in 2003. Neighboring countries such as Syria,
Jordan and Turkey bear the burden of receiving newly displaced
Iraqi citizens. It is estimated that inside Iraq, there are
1.8 million internally displaced people (IDPs). We believe
that the US government has a moral responsibility to acknowledge
this crisis and create responsible immigration policies that
offer opportunities for shelter and safety to innocent Iraqi
citizens. We support the Administration’s call for economic development in Iraq which directly benefits the Iraqi people and their communities. We remain concerned about the protection of the human rights especially of women and religious minorities in Iraq. We call on North American Dominicans
to advocate for peace and as citizens by their continued
contact with elected officials. Our support
of our Dominican Family and the people in Iraq is sure and
certain in the midst of an uncertain time. More than
ever, our prayers are for peace.We encourage the Dominican
Family to pray for all those involved in the conflict: our
Dominican brothers and sisters; the people of Iraq;
the US occupying forces, Iraqi and international troops; humanitarian
workers; and political leaders of the US and Iraq. |
 Refugee Crisis Looming Dominicans in Geneva push to awaken leaders to the problem. GENEVA-- Dominicans for Justice and Peace and the Dominican Leadership Conference petitioned the United Nations Human Rights Council to address basic human needs of refugees and displaced people in Iraq and the region. READ THE STATEMENT FYI: About 100,000 Iraqis leave their country each month, including many of Iraq’s best educated professionals. Approximately 2 million Iraqis have fled since the 2003 invasion and about 1.8 million Iraqis are internally displaced.  |
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