Background

The United States Faith and Ethics Network for the International Criminal Court (US FENICC) is a coalition of religious, interfaith, ethical and humanist NGOs, communities and entities that examine the moral, ethical, and religious considerations surrounding the Court. FENICC claims a special role in raising awareness about the ICC at many levels, including at the grassroots level. The Network through its member organizations promotes the ICC and helps to shape the ICC by disseminating information about the Court to its respective communities.

• FENICC's 1997 Foundation Statement, including a list of the original endorsing organizations

Vision

FENICC's vision is its common belief in justice, redress, the dignity of each human and the universality of the human family, values which are advanced by the universal acceptance of the International Criminal Court, including by the United States.

Mission

In service of this vision, FENICC's mission is to work collectively in its communities to achieve a greater understanding of the ICC which reflects our shared values and will support the universal adoption of the Rome Statute, including the earliest possible ratification of it by the United States, to be supported by a closer US relationship to express and be enriched by FENICC members.

Strategies

• FENICC member organizations commit themselves to support the Court and will mobilize their adherents to that end through their respective services, rituals, practices and meetings.
• They will promote education and awareness of the mission, membership and objectives of the Faith and Ethics Network to faith and ethics-based constituencies, elected officials, media and the general public.
• They will join in the programs of international civil society to further develop and strengthen the ICC.
• They will engage and collaborate with national civil societies for a strong US relationship with the ICC, and eventual US ratification of the Rome Statute.

Tactics

• FENICC members formally commit themselves to support the Court and will mobilize their adherents to that end through their respective services, rituals, practices and meetings.
• FENICC members will join in the programs of national and international civil society to further develop and strengthen the ICC.
• FENICC members will especially pursue their commitments through ecumenical and interfaith activities.

Meetings

FENICC meets the last Wednesday of each month, usually in the Presbyterian Conference Room on the 7th Floor of the Church Center for the United Nations, 777 UN Plaza, New York. FENICC members receive confirmation of the date, location and agenda of each meeting from Chair Bruce Knotts.

Members and Their Commitments and Statements

We welcome the participation of all religious, faith, ethical and humanist organizations. For information about attending meetings or joining US FENICC, please contact Chair Bruce Knotts.

1. Bahá'ís of the United States
   • Bahá'í International Community, Statement from "Turning Point for All Nations" (1995)
   • Bahá'ís of the United States, Excerpt from letter to Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Samuel Berger (October 21, 1999)
2. B'nai B'rith International
   • B'nai B'rith International BBI Press Release (April 2, 2002)
3. Church World Service
4. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
   • Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Policy Statement, For Peace in God's World 1995 (Adopted 1996)
   • Lutheran Office for Government Affairs and Office for the World Community (ELCA), Letter to President for National Security Affairs Samuel Berger (October 8, 1999)
5. Fellowship of Reconciliation
   • Fellowship of Reconciliation Resolution in support of the ICC (February 18, 2001)
6. Imani Works
   • Imani Works, Statement of the Board of Directors in Support of the International Criminal Court (June 1, 2010)
7. Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights of the American Jewish Committee
   • American Jewish Committee, Letter to Congressmen Gilman and Gejdenson (July 21, 2000) regarding the American Servicemembers' Protection Act
8. Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
   • Maryknoll Missioners, Letter to President Clinton
9. Mennonite Central Committee
10. National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
    • National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA Resolution on the ICC, NCCCUSA General Assembly (November 10-12, 1999)
11. National Ethical Service of the American Ethical Union
    • American Ethical Union, Resolution of the National Service Conference in Support of US Ratification (2002)
12. Presbyterian Church (USA)
    • Presbyterian Church (USA) Resolution on the ICC (H), 211th General Assembly (June 1999)
      • Accompanying Rationale
    • Presbyterian Church (USA) "Celebrating the International Criminal Court" (includes brief history, quotes, lectionary comments, suggested hymns, sermon illustration and litany) (March 9, 2003)
    • Statement in support of the ICC by Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of PCUSA (November 12, 2007)
13. Temple of Understanding
14. Union for Reform Judaism
    • Union for Reform Judaism General Assembly Resolution on International Human Rights in support of the ICC and US ratification of the Rome Statute (June 2008)
15. Unitarian Universalist Association
    • Unitarian Universalist Association, Support the International Criminal Court Action of Immediate Witness (2002)
    • Unitarian Universalist-UN Office Director Bruce Knotts's Letter to the Editor in response to Eric Posner's The Absurd International Criminal Court, The Wall Street Journal, June 19, 2012
16. United Church of Christ
    • United Church of Christ Support for the International Criminal Court, Adopted by the Twenty-fifth General Synod (July 2005)
17. United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
    • United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society Resolution (May 2000)
18. World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP)
    • World Conference on Religion and Peace, Statement by Executive Committee (October 24, 2001)

Other Commitments and Statements

FENICC collects ICC-related commitments and statements by other religious, faith, ethical and humanist organizations. Please send us any additional commitments and statements not included below.

• American Humanist Association, Flyer expressing support for ICC (February 2003)
• Individuals from Catholic institutions and religious congregations, Sign on letter, "A Catholic Community Responds to the to the War Living with Faith and Hope" calling for US support for ICC (December 17, 2001)
• The Church of the Brethren, Annual Conference ICC Statement in "Nonviolence and Humanitarian Intervention" (1996)
• Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, Resolution on US Support for the International Criminal Court (Spring 2002)
• Letter to President Clinton (from representatives of faith-based groups and organizations urging him to sign the Rome Statute) (December 20, 2000)
• His Holiness Pope John Paul II excerpt from message for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace, "Peace on Earth to Those Whom God Loves!" (January 1, 2000)
• Holy See Press Release, "Contribution of the Holy See to the Trust Fund for the Establishment of the International Criminal Court (July 1, 2002)
• Jewish Council for Public Affairs Statement by Chair Steven Schwarz (July 29, 1998)
• Leadership Conference of Women Religious National Assembly Resolution for Peace (2002)
• Quaker UN Office QUNO briefing paper (March 2002)
• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism press release praising US signing of ICC Statute (January 2, 2001)
• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism press release expressing dismay at US unsigning of Rome Statute (May 13, 2002)
• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism action alert, "Take action on Yom Hashoa - Support the International Criminal Court and help ensure that Genocide never goes unpunished" (April 2003)
• Women of Reform Judaism, Statement by Executive Committee (2002)
• Vatican Delegation to the Rome Diplomatic Conference on the Establishment of an ICC, Intervention of Archbishop Martino, Head of Delegation (June 16, 1998)

Contact Information

Bruce Knotts
Chair, US Faith and Ethics Network for the ICC
Director, Unitarian Universalist Association United Nations Office
777 UN Plaza, Suite 7G
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 986-5165
Fax: (212) 983-5498
bknotts@uua.org
www.uua.org/un, facebook.com/uu-uno, twitter.com/uu_uno

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