More than 160 Catholic organisations from countries around the globe have sent a statement to the US Congress, decrying President Trump's decision to end US participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), negotiated in 2015 during the Obama administration.
The so-called 'Iran deal' is an agreement on the nuclear programme of Iran, negotiated by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and United States), with Germany and the European Union, and Iran.
"In direct contradiction to the repeated verifications provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the advice of his own Secretaries of Defence and State, and the positions of US allies, President Trump has announced his decision to end the United States' participation in the Iran Deal and begin re-imposing the US nuclear-related sanctions that were lifted as part of the JCPOA", the statement reads. "The rejection of the JCPOA by the President of the United States is a tragedy of monumental proportions, most immediately for the people of Iran, who will endure the horrendous consequences of sanctions."
The 160 organisations, representing 19 countries, were joined by 551 Catholic leaders from 23 countries and 46 states in the US. in expressing their deep concern "that this action will create even more tension in the Middle East and undermine delicate negotiations with North Korea by sending a signal that whatever agreement you reach with the United States will not be honoured."
Pax Christi International, representing a global network of over 120 member organisations in over 50 countries, helped to organise and craft the statement.
The letter to Members of the US Congress which accompanied the statement reads: "As a worldwide community of faith, we reject what Pope Francis calls 'the narrative of fear ... and the rhetoric of hatred.' We strongly support a commitment of the United States and the international community to dialogue and negotiation and remain hopeful that a just, sustained peace on the Korean peninsula and the in Middle East is possible."
* Read the full statement here
* Independent Catholic News https://www.indcatholicnews.com/
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