Sen. Patrick Leahy is calling on the Obama Administration to improve its record on a number of key human rights issues.
Leahy says he’s concerned about the Administration’s use of military drones and its failure to block foreign aid to countries that abuse and murder innocent civilians.
Leahy outlined his critical view of the Obama Administration while delivering the keynote address at the First Human Rights Summit in Washington D.C.
Foreign aid was the first issue that Leahy singled out. Leahy noted that in 1997, Congress passed a law he sponsored that expressly prohibits aid to countries that “abuse and murder” innocent civilians. Leahy charged that there are occasions where the Administration is ignoring this law.
"I remain very concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding these operations." - Sen. Patrick Leahy speaking about the use of military drones by the Obama Administration
“Some officials in our embassies have not enforced it rigorously and I call on our State Department to explain,” said Leahy. “The Leahy law is the Leahy law is the Leahy law, and it has to apply in every country where we give aid or it is turning our back on American ideals. Let’s start enforcing it everywhere.”
Leahy also expressed concerns about the Administration’s use of military drones. He said drones should only be used in accordance with international humanitarian laws. But he said the Administration’s policy is much broader.
“The United States for years conducted lethal operations using drones in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, some of which have killed or wounded innocent civilians and further enflamed the population,” said Leahy. “And I remain very concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding these operations.”
For more than 15 years, Leahy has championed a ban on the use of land mines throughout the world. He’s disappointed that the United States still hasn’t signed this treaty.
“Every single NATO country save one has signed it and that the most powerful nation on earth, the United States,” said Leahy. That’s not the leadership I expect of my government.”
Leahy said the time has also come to close the U.S. military detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and he believes a new Defense Appropriations bill being considered in the Senate will provide the authorization to shut the center down for good.
