International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims

Romero Mural

“The Church would betray its own love for God and its fidelity to the gospel if it stopped being 'the voice of the voiceless'."

Turning on the TV or reading the newspaper, we are confronted every day with acts of violence and situations that blatantly violate our neighbor’s inherent dignity and human rights – for example in the DR of Congo, in Libya ... sometimes in our own backyard! These realities have impelled us throughout the Society to create new ways of being peace makers – educators for truth and peace, in the class room and outside of the classroom, in women’s groups and in our educational work with children.

On December 21, 2010, the General Assembly proclaimed 24 March as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. The resolution (A/RES/65/196) invites states, organizations and civil society to observe the new international day in an appropriate manner. For more information by the UN on March 24, please click here.

Two paragraphs in the resolution make reference to Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero of El Salvador:

Recognizing in particular the important and valuable work of Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero, of El Salvador, who was actively engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights in his country, and whose work was acknowledged internationally through his messages, in which he denounced violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable populations,

Recognizing the values of Monsignor Romero and his dedication to the service of humanity, in the context of armed conflicts, as a humanist dedicated to defending human rights, protecting lives and promoting human dignity, his constant calls to dialogue and his opposition to all forms of violence to avoid armed confrontation, which consequently led to his death on 24 March 1980...

Archbishop Romero once said that “The Church would betray its own love for God and its fidelity to the gospel if it stopped being 'the voice of the voiceless'."

How can you actively remember the legacy of Archbishop Romero given our world situation today?

NGO Office
March 2011