MCC action alert

Action

Write a letter to your Members of Congress and urge them to sign the open letters to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that are currently being circulated in the House and Senate. Tell them that you want the U.S. to conduct a timely, transparent and inclusive review aimed at joining the Mine Ban Treaty.

Issue

President Barack Obama has just announced that the administration has initiated a comprehensive review of U.S. landmine policy to determine whether the U.S. will join the Mine Ban Treaty.

Background

To date, 156 nations have signed the Mine Ban Treaty, including all the major U.S. allies. The U.S. joins China, Russia, Israel, Pakistan and India in withholding its support from the treaty. Despite not signing the treaty, the U.S. has been in virtual compliance with many of the treaty’s provisions. The U.S. has not used landmines since 1991, despite wars in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Current U.S. policy forbids the use of “dumb” anti-personnel landmines beginning in early 2010. The Mine Ban Treaty has dramatically reduced the use and the risk posed by landmines in the past decade.

Faith Reflection

The biblical story is filled with references to blessing, security and peace springing from the land. God’s purpose for the land is clearly to provide food and abundant resources for life and well-being (Gen. 1,2). Land mines create insecurity and inhibit safe farming for families around the world.