Resolution Number: 2012-A015
Title: Commend Democratic Movements and Request Foreign Aid Accountability
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention commends the “Arab Spring” democratic movements in the Middle East and North Africa for their witness to justice and human rights, and to the power of popular nonviolent organizing for political, economic and societal change; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention reaffirms Resolution 1991-A149, “Urge a Full Accounting of the Use of Foreign Aid in the Middle East,” adopted by the 70th General Convention, and calls on the President of the United States for a full accounting of how United States foreign aid, including military aid, is used in the Middle East and North Africa, in recognition that transparency is critical for requiring accountability from aid recipients; and be it further

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention calls upon the President of the United States to seek accountability for those policies and practices of recipients of United States aid that contradict and undermine core democratic principles, as well as those United States laws and statutes that define legal uses of United States funding.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 2012 (New York: General Convention, 2012), pp. 322-323.

Legislative History

Author: Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: National and International Concerns

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #36 on Resolution A015 (Commend Democratic Movements in the Middle East and North Africa) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution

(A015)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 77th General Convention commends the “Arab Spring” democratic movements in the Middle East and North Africa for their witness to justice and human rights, and to the power of popular nonviolent organizing for political, economic and societal change. And since the response to these popular movements will ultimately depend on the political institutions these uprisings generate, be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention calls on the United States government to continue exercising leadership within the international community for adopting a universal standard for democracy, that includes participatory governance marked by freedom of religion, speech and assembly: a commitment to the rule of law and to equality before the law; the acceptance of state monopoly over the use of force, and adherence to international agreements to which a country is bound; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention reaffirms Resolution 1991-A149, “Urge a Full Accounting of the Use of Foreign Aid in the Middle East,” adopted by the 70th General Convention, and calls on the President of the United States for a full accounting of how United States foreign aid, including military aid, is used in the Middle East and North Africa, in recognition that transparency is critical for requiring accountability from aid recipients; and be it further

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention calls upon the President of the United States to seek accountability for those policies and practices of recipients of United States aid that contradict and undermine core democratic principles, as well as those United States laws and statutes that define legal uses of United States funding.

Committee Amendment

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 77th General Convention commends the “Arab Spring” democratic movements in the Middle East and North Africa for their witness to justice and human rights, and to the power of popular nonviolent organizing for political, economic and societal change. And since the response to these popular movements will ultimately depend on the political institutions these uprisings generate,; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention calls on the United States government to continue exercising leadership within the international community for adopting a universal standard for democracy, that includes participatory governance marked by freedom of religion, speech and assembly: a commitment to the rule of law and to equality before the law; the acceptance of state monopoly over the use of force, and adherence to international agreements to which a country is bound; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention reaffirms Resolution 1991-A149, “Urge a Full Accounting of the Use of Foreign Aid in the Middle East,” adopted by the 70th General Convention, and calls on the President of the United States for a full accounting of how United States foreign aid, including military aid, is used in the Middle East and North Africa, in recognition that transparency is critical for requiring accountability from aid recipients; and be it further

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention calls upon the President of the United States to seek accountability for those policies and practices of recipients of United States aid that contradict and undermine core democratic principles, as well as those United States laws and statutes that define legal uses of United States funding.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #248)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #37 on HD Message #248 on Resolution A015 (Commend Democratic Movements in the Middle East and North Africa) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message # 282)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 12.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns, Reports to the 77th General Convention, 2012, pp. 95-107.
Abstract:   The 77th General Convention commends democratic movements in the Middle East and North Africa and reaffirms its request for full accountability from recipients of foreign aid to ensure legality under US law.