WHEREAS the first and sixth Unitarian Universalist Principles affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person and the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

WHEREAS the United Nations Charter reflects UU values in its commitment to promote peace, prosperity, and dignity for all people;

WHEREAS human rights and human dignity are vital for peace, security, development, and equality, while the lack of respect for human rights increases global poverty and insecurity;

WHEREAS the responsibility to protect global citizens, a guiding principle for world leaders, has not been implemented in problem areas such as Sudan, Burma, Uzbekistan, Chechnya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, North Korea, and Tibet, where civilians suffer daily from armed conflict, crimes against humanity, and war crimes;

WHEREAS the creation of the United Nations Human Rights Council is the result of a great effort made by many members of the international community and the Council is holding its inaugural session from June 19 to 30, 2006, coinciding with this General Assembly;

WHEREAS the United States has actively undermined the work of the Human Rights Council by voting in General Assembly against the motion to create the Council and then declining to run for a seat on the Council after the motion passed overwhelmingly 170-4; and

WHEREAS by not engaging in the work of the Council, the United States has the potential to weaken the Human Rights Council and prevent it from improving human rights for millions of people around the world;

THEREFORE be it resolved that the delegates of the 2006 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association reaffirm their commitment to the United Nations at this vital time.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the delegates urge:

• Individual Unitarian Universalists to write to the U. S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to positively influence U. S. policy in vigorous support of the Human Rights Council;
• Congregations to inform themselves about UN operations and UN reform, and to recommit Unitarian Universalists at all levels to the principles of the UN's three pillars: human rights, peace, and development; and
• The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office and the UUA to encourage member groups of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists to write their elected officials in support of the United Nations Human Rights Council.