3rd Thursday Alert: Thank lawmakers for supporting human rights!
Thank the members of Congress who signed a letter calling for Leahy Law’s application to Israel and Egypt.
Ten representatives and Senator Patrick Leahy (VT) have called for accountability for U.S. military assistance to Israel and Egypt in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry.
The letter, led by Rep, Hank Johnson (GA), seeks answers as to how the Leahy Law is applied to the two countries and asks for an examination of specific cases of possible rights violations.
The lawmakers write, “There have been a disturbing number of reports of possible gross violations of human rights by security forces in Israel and Egypt—incidents that may have involved recipients, or potential recipients, of U.S. military assistance. We urge you to determine if these reports are credible and to inform us of your findings.”
The Leahy Law restricts units of foreign forces from receiving U.S. military assistance if there is credible evidence that the unit has committed a gross human rights violation and their government has failed to them accountable.
The law should be applied uniformly to all countries. The Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP) explains: “The congressional letter expresses concern that Israel and Egypt are not being subjected to the same level of rigorous monitoring applied to other aid recipients. Congressional oversight and a uniform system of monitoring are crucial to ensure that all recipients of U.S. aid are treated fairly and that U.S. foreign aid does not make the United States complicit in human rights violations.”
The letter is signed by: Representatives Hank Johnson (GA), Andrè Carson (IN), Sam Farr (CA), Raúl Grijalva (AZ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX), Betty McCollum (MN), Jim McDermott (WA), James McGovern (MA) and Chellie Pingree (ME) and Senator Patrick Leahy (VT).
Take action today to thank your member of Congress if he or she signed the letter. These lawmakers need to know they have the support of their constituents!
Even if your elected officials did not sign the letter, they need to hear from you. Contact them to draw their attention to the letter and to urge their support for this effort.
For more information:
Leahy asked State Dept. to investigate Israeli human rights ‘violations,’ Politico, 3/29/16
Senator Patrick Leahy Responds to Prime Minister Netanyahu About the Worldwide Application of the ‘Leahy Law’
Sample Letters:
If your member of Congress signed the letter to Secretary Kerry:
Dear__________,
I am writing to thank you for adding your name in support of human rights for all by signing the February 17, 2016 letter to Secretary of State John Kerry calling for accountability for U.S. military assistance to Israel and Egypt. I appreciate your effort to ensure that the Leahy Law is applied uniformly by seeking answers as to how the law is applied to these two countries and by asking for an examination of specific cases of possible rights violations.
As a person of faith it is important to me that all persons be treated with equal respect, and one way to do this is to ensure that U.S. laws are applied uniformly around the globe and that our tax dollars are not being used to violate human rights.
Thank you again,
If your member of Congress did not sign the letter to Secretary Kerry:
Dear___________,
I am writing to draw your attention to and urge your support for the February 17, 2016 letter from members of Congress to Secretary of State John Kerry calling for accountability for U.S. military assistance to Israel and Egypt.
The letter is an important effort to ensure that the Leahy Law is applied uniformly by seeking answers as to how the law is applied to these two countries and by asking for an examination of specific cases of possible rights violations.
As a person of faith it is important to me that all persons be treated with equal respect, and one way to do this is to ensure that U.S. laws are applied uniformly around the globe and that our tax dollars are not being used to violate human rights.
I urge you to publicly support this effort to apply the Leahy Law to Israel and Egypt as a demonstration of U.S. support for human rights for all.
Thank you,