Resolution Adopted by the CCAR

Call for Immediate Action to Halt the Genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Adopted by the 104th Annual Convention of
the Central Conference of American Rabbis
Montreal, Quebec, June 1993

(Due to the time-sensitive nature of this issue, the full text of this resolution to be presented at the convention is subject to change.) As we mark the 50th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising by resolving that "never again" will we stand by and allow attempts to commit genocide to go unopposed, we the victims and children of victims of silence are gratified that, though belatedly, the world has come to grips with lessons learned during the Holocaust. We call upon the Canadian and American public to join us in imploring our government to assume its rightful moral responsibility and global leadership by taking the following decisive measures to end this barbarity.

WHEREAS, we call upon the governments of the United States and Canada to be more vigilant to stand up to genocide and "ethnic cleansing" in the future.

WHEREAS, we hope that the world will respond in a more timely fashion to any current or future actions of genocide and ethnic cleansing.

WHEREAS, we call for the immediate lifting of the arms embargo in order to provide defenseless Bosnians with the means to defend themselves.

WHEREAS, we call for an increase in humanitarian aid to the civilian population.

WHEREAS, we call for maximizing the isolation of Serbia in the world community through the imposition of more severe economic and diplomatic sanctions.

WHEREAS, we call upon members of the Conference to exercise their moral leadership in the implementation of this resolution.

WHEREAS, we call for the immediate implementation of all these measures before the of the Bosnian population is completed as the world stands by.
         We hope that as a nation whose highest principle incorporates a commitment to individual and human rights, we will be able to look back upon this tragic episode and say in good conscience that our country did what was humanly possible to stop the carnage, save lives, and promote peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina.