From Curtis Bell, UUs for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME)

Russia has been rightly condemned for international law and human rights violations in its invasion of Ukraine. Massive sanctions as well as boycotts and divestment have been imposed on Russia, and Western media has given all this constant attention. But there is hypocrisy here. Similar violations by the US and its allies have not been sanctioned and have received much less attention.

Human rights and international law must be respected universally rather than selectively or they are meaningless. Such violations must not be weaponized in the service of geo-strategic conflicts. Similarly, the human rights of marginalized people in this country to health care, education, equal treatment under the law and participation in the political system are not respected.

Accordingly UUJME, Black Lives of UU, and UU Peace Ministry Network have submitted an Action of Immediate Witness for a vote at GA 2022 with the title “Human Rights Must Be Respected Universally Rather than Selectively.” The full text of the AIW as well as other AIWs submitted for a vote may be read at: https://www.uua.org/action/process/planning-aiw-ga