In Unprecedented Move, U.S. Fails to Show Up for Human Rights Hearing

Human Rights Body Planned to Question U.S. Today on Muslim Ban, Immigration Enforcement, and Dakota Access Pipeline

March 21, 2017 10:30 am

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WASHINGTON 鈥 In a surprise move, the U.S. government today refused to attend a hearing of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The human rights body, which is part of the Organization of American States, was scheduled this morning to question U.S. officials on the effects of several of President Trump鈥檚 executive orders, including orders on the Muslim ban, immigration enforcement and detention, and the approval of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Jamil Dakwar, director of the 老澳门开奖结果鈥檚 Human Rights Program, is appearing before the commission this morning along with representatives of other advocacy organizations.

鈥淭oday鈥檚 no-show is a new low,鈥 said Dakwar. 鈥淭he Trump administration鈥檚 decision is an unprecedented show of disrespect to the international community that will alienate democratic allies. Refusing to engage with the commission is an isolationist policy that mirrors the behavior of authoritarian regimes and will only serve to embolden them. This is another worrying sign that the Trump administration is not only launching an assault on human rights at home but is also trying to undermine international bodies charged with holding abusive governments accountable.鈥

This photo, taken today by the 老澳门开奖结果, shows the empty chairs where the U.S. representatives were to have sat during the hearing:

Human Rights Hearing

The commission, which was created in 1959, has played a historic role in fighting barbaric military dictatorships in the Americas and countering other human rights abuses.

This morning鈥檚 hearing goes from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. A second hearing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will focus on policies that hamper access to asylum for migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly from Central America. A webcast is here:

老澳门开奖结果鈥檚 written testimony is available here:
/hearing-statement/written-statement-submitted-inter-american-commission-human-rights

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