Congress must stand up for human rights

The world can feel like a hostile place for human rights and those who defend them. Now more than ever, it is critical that we come together to speak up louder and more forcefully for fundamental human rights across the world. That’s why next week over 300 Amnesty members and supporters from nearly 40 states will meet with members of Congress to speak out for refugees, humanitarian aid, and the importance of fighting for human rights around the world.

We are calling for the U.S. government to recommit to lead in human rights by taking the following steps:

{mosads}First, Congress must immediately take action on the growing refugee crisis. There are more than 65 million people in the world displaced from their home right now, including refugees fleeing across borders in Syria, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, El Salvador and Honduras.

As the single largest donor of international humanitarian aid, the United States must maintain robust funding to protect populations worldwide and support for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. This essential funding will provide life-saving and life-sustaining shelter, medical care and nutrition to refugees.

Second, the U.S. government must act to protect the Rohingya. Despite overwhelming evidence of massacres, destruction of villages, and systemic torture and rape, the government of Myanmar has shown no signs of acting to end the military’s scorched earth campaign against the Rohingya.

The U.S. must hold the government of Myanmar accountable by passing the Burma Human Rights and Freedom Act of 2018 (S. 2060) and the BURMA Act of 2017 (H.R. 4223). This legislation is a critical step towards ensuring the U.S. pressures the Myanmar military to halt the atrocities against the Rohingya.

Amnesty supporters will make their voices heard by urging members of Congress to support this crucial legislation. We’ll also come together to thank Sen John McCain (R-Ariz.), Reps. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) and Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) for introducing this legislation in Congress. Their leadership in bringing awareness to these terrible atrocities should be applauded, and other members should follow their example.

And finally, the U.S. must stand in solidarity with human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience around the world. Human rights defenders fight for everyone’s fundamental rights, including women, LGBTI people, Indigenous Peoples, and other communities. Yet because of their work, they have been jailed, tortured, and even killed. 

Last week, Sens. Christopher Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) sponsored legislation supporting the work of human rights defenders in speaking out against injustice. In the House, Reps. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.) and Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) are expected to sponsor a resolution calling for a Prisoners of Conscience Day and encouraging members of Congress to champion individual cases.

In response, Amnesty members and supporters will be asking members of Congress to stand in solidarity with human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience by supporting these bipartisan resolutions. Both resolutions should be passed swiftly. 

Standing up and speaking out for human rights issues is not always easy. Change takes time and the dedication of sustained activism. We’re inspired to see people from all walks of life travel to Washington to urge their elected representatives to support these causes. Together, we will take a stand for fundamental human rights and urge our members of Congress to enact policies that will bring about the change we wish to see in our world.

Joanne Lin is national director of advocacy and governmental affairs at Amnesty International USA.