HUMAN RIGHTS AND FOREIGN POLICY

WHEREAS, human rights violations of a very serious nature continue in many parts of the world, especially in the Soviet Union and its captive republics, the Union of South Africa, Northern Ireland, the Central American region including Nicaragua, Guatemala and especially El Salvador; and

WHEREAS, respect for human rights is an American and labor tradition and an integral part of our commitment to the development of democratic governments in all parts of the world; and

WHEREAS, the Reagan administration has reduced the emphasis on human rights promoted by the Carter administration; and

WHEREAS, strong support for human rights increases support throughout the world for American foreign policy, especially among the youth of many nations; and

WHEREAS, educators who have suffered harassments and imprisonments in many foreign lands look to American teachers for sympathy and support; and

WHEREAS, teachers understand that quality education is not possible in totalitarian environments; and

WHEREAS, labor unions are usually the first victims when totalitarian regimes come to power from the right or the left:

RESOLVED, that the AFT continues to publicize its concern for human rights at home and abroad; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT and AFL-CIO continue to strengthen their activities on behalf of human rights; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT and its affiliates continue to work to form coalitions with groups such as Amnesty International which have a proven record of fairness and effectiveness in the promotion of human rights around the world; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT promotes international scholarship programs and essay contests which emphasize the theme of human rights; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT urges the various state education agencies to make concern for human rights a major part of new and praiseworthy emphasis on increased social studies and global education; and

RESOLVED, that the American Teacher continues to expand its "Prisoners of Conscience" campaign and that the AFL-CIO be urged to adopt similar publicity campaigns on behalf of particular victims of human rights violations.