TDs, MLAs and AFL-CIO Receive Holy Land Edition of Fr.Mc Manus Book

Capitol Hill. January 18, 2013 --- The president of the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus, Fermanagh-born Fr. Sean Mc Manus, has a long reach. The new edition of his acclaimed Memoirs, My American Struggle for Justice in Northern Ireland … And the Holy Land, is being hand-delivered  to all 166 TDs , Members of the Irish Parliament  and to  all  108  MLAs, Members of the Northern  Ireland Assembly.

Fr. Mc Manus explained: “My good friend and valued ally, the patriotic Tom Cooper of the Irish National Congress in Dublin, is distributing the books to the members of the ‘southern parliament of Ireland.’ And the intrepid John Teggart and his group, The Ballymurphy Massacre Committee, are delivering the book to the ‘northern parliament of Ireland’. I am most grateful for the dedicated leadership of Tom and John and their organizations.”

Meanwhile in Washington, the book has been distributed,  along with a personalized letter, to Richard L. Trumpka,  President of the AFL-CIO, and the other 56 members of the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO. 

In his letter to the AFL-CIO, Fr. Mc Manus says:

“I am writing to you and all the members of the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO urging you to support the Holy Land Principles, which I launched on International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2012.

These Principles are based on the Mac Bride Principles, which I also launched back in 1984, and which the Congress passed in 1988. To their great credit, the AFL-CIO were one of the very first to endorse the Mac Bride Principles. I also enclose a copy of my Memoirs, My American Struggle for Justice in Northern Ireland – and The Holy Land.

This book explains the history of the Mac Bride Principles – now universally accepted as the most effective campaign ever against anti-Catholic discrimination in Northern Ireland. The book also provides context for the launching of the campaign for the Holy Land Principles.

The same moral principle underpins both the Mac Bride Principles and the Holy Land Principles: American principles must follow American investment – no exceptions.

Therefore, no one can argue that while Catholics in Northern Ireland deserved these Principles, Palestinian Muslims and Palestinian Christians do not.

I also request you contact the 573 American companies doing business in The Holy Land, urging them to sign the Holy Land Principles.”

                        Basic Strategy of Holy Land Principles Campaign

The basic strategy of the campaign is to persuade all the 573 U.S. companies in The Holy Land to sign the Principles. They sign by agreeing in writing ‘to make all lawful efforts to implement the Fair Employment Practices embodied in the Holy Land Principles in their operations in The Holy Land’ – the very same language used by companies signing the Mac Bride Principles. Like the Mac Bride Principles, the Holy Land Principles do not call for disinvestment, divestment or reverse discrimination.

1. The campaign will be conducted through Shareholders’ Resolutions and through public education.

2. Fr. Mc Manus’ book, along with a personalized letter,  has been  sent to the CEOs of all 573 companies, plus their Investor Relations Contact (IRC).

3. The book, along with a personalized letter has been sent to all Members of Congress, House and Senate, and all key media personnel.

4. An extensive Direct Mail campaign is being conducted to prospective supporters – Irish-Americans, Arab-Americans and the faith and social-justice communities.”

Holy Land Principles

American principles following American investment

A Corporate Code of Conduct for

U.S. Companies in The Holy Land

American companies have a responsibility to maximize the profits of their shareholders.  And shareholders have the right and responsibility to insist that their profits are earned through ethical corporate practices – that they avoid discrimination based on racial, ethnic or religious identity.

Moreover, ethical investment not only benefits society but also creates stronger and more sustainable profits for their shareholders.

In the tradition of the Sullivan Principles (South Africa) and the Mac Bride Principles (Northern Ireland), the Holy Land Principles seek to ensure that American dollars do not support discrimination, human rights abuses, or violations of international law in The Holy Land (Israel/Palestine, The West Bank, The Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem). The Principles do not call for disinvestment, divestment or reverse discrimination.

Responsible corporate conduct is especially urgent today because of the deprivations and sufferings caused by the conflict.

By endorsing the Holy Land Principles, corporations will enhance America’s security as people in the Middle East see that American companies support equality and fairness for all.

The Holy Land Principles call on American companies conducting business in The Holy Land to:
1. Adhere to equal and fair employment practices in hiring, compensation, training, professional education, advancement and governance without discrimination based on racial, ethnic or religious identity.
2. Identify underrepresented employee groups and initiate active recruitment efforts to increase the number of underrepresented employees to a level proportional to their representation in society.
3. Make every reasonable effort to ensure that all employees have the ability to easily, openly and equally travel to and access corporate facilities.

4. Maintain a work environment that is respectful of all racial, ethnic and religious groups.

5. Work with governmental and community authorities, and support local initiatives to eliminate disparities among racial, ethnic and religious groups in government spending on education, training, access to health care and housing.

6. Not make military service a precondition or qualification for employment for any position, other than those positions that specifically require such experience, for the fulfillment of an employee’s particular responsibilities.
7. Not accept subsidies, tax incentives or other benefits that lead to the direct advantage of one racial, ethnic or religious group over another.

8. Appoint staff to monitor, oversee, set timetables, and publicly report on their progress in implementing the Holy Land Principles.