Global Ministries among 31 organizations calling on Congress to press for a rights- and needs-based Ukraine Peace Process

In a letter sent to Congress today, leading human rights, humanitarian, faith based, and foreign policy-focused organizations urged Members to put forth their own positive vision for a successful initial negotiation phase, with the goal of a just and lasting peace in which human rights are strengthened and harm to civilians is repaired. 

The letter (below) is signed by 31 groups, including Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ. It asserts that a secure and prosperous Ukraine is achievable if the United States takes an inclusive, realistic, and sophisticated approach to these talks, and specifies that once negotiated, the initial framework for the peace process should result in:

• a durable and verifiable end to fighting, including an end to the targeting of critical infrastructure and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas;  
• the meeting of immediate humanitarian needs, including access to basic services and humanitarian de-mining; and  
• the release and return of all captives in line with international law. 

While recognizing that “this initial round of negotiations will likely not address many important questions,” the groups say that “achieving a framework for a broader peace process and a stable end to the fighting is essential for reducing civilian harm, beginning reconstruction in Ukraine, and establishing a process for justice.” In order to increase the chances of the broader peace process leading to long-term, sustainable peace, the signers further urge including civilian voices in negotiations; upholding the rights of civilians, especially in occupied areas; enabling family reunification; and obtaining concrete guarantees for Ukrainian reconstruction and establishing a process for reconciliation, accountability and repair.