HUMAN RIGHTS AND FOREIGN POLICY

WHEREAS, the recent victories for democracy in Eastern Europe show the value of a strong emphasis on human rights in deciding foreign policy; and

WHEREAS, serious human rights violations persist in many parts of the world, especially in Guatemala, Zaire, South Africa, Peru and Cuba; and

WHEREAS, there is a danger that the genocidal Khmer Rouge could return to power in Cambodia; and

WHEREAS, the Chinese government persists in violating human rights at home while arming the Khmer Rouge abroad; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Thatcher's inhumane policy toward refugees from Hong Kong continues; and

WHEREAS, the tragic experience of the 1930s demonstrates the dangers of restrictive immigration policies; and

WHEREAS, human rights abuses continue in El Salvador:

RESOLVED, that AFT urge the AFL-CIO to continue to maintain and publicize its long-standing commitment to human rights; and

RESOLVED, that AFT and AFL-CIO, to the extent possible, expose, oppose and publicize violations of human rights, especially the use of torture, whether such violations are by established governments or fanatical guerrilla groups like Peru's "Shining Path"; and

RESOLVED, that AFT and AFL-CIO urge President Bush and the State Department to refrain from any foreign policy initiatives that could help the Khmer Rouge get power in Cambodia; and

RESOLVED, that AFT and AFL-CIO urge the State Department to lobby for Prime Minister Thatcher to adopt a more generous immigration policy toward refugees and immigrants from Hong Kong; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT support the AFL-CIO position calling for suspension of military aid to El Salvador until human rights abuses cease.