| Release of Recommendations
in the Aftermath of September 11
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Human Rights First, working in coalition with a
range of human rights, religious, civil rights, and humanitarian
organizations, has created a set of recommendations for responding
to the attacks of September 11.
Full text of the statement
of principles
In brief, the recommendations:
- Stress
the importance of abiding by human rights and humanitarian law
in acting to bring the perpetrators to justice and preventing
future attacks.
- Urge
the United States to take "every reasonable step to ensure
security for everyone in the United States," and called on
the government to investigate and prosecute hate crimes and to
uphold democratic freedoms.
- Call
on the U.S. to promote fundamental rights around the world and
to ensure that other countries do not use the fight against terrorism
as a pretext to justify repression.
- Advocate
for "exceptional attention to protecting civilians and civilian
objects from harm," and "safe access to humanitarian
aid and security for humanitarian workers in order to provide
the urgent assistance required by the millions of men, women and
children inside Afghanistan."
In addition to Human Rights First,
groups making the recommendations include the Alliance for Justice,
Amnesty International, CARE, Doctors of the World-USA, Human Rights
Watch, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, the Open Society Institute,
Oxfam, USA Physicians for Human Rights, Refugees International,
Save the Children/US and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
Full list of signers
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
Following the appalling attacks of September 11, the United States
and the international community face an historic challenge: to mount
a collective effort to achieve security in a world scarred by atrocities
and conflict. To meet this challenge we must recognize that security
and justice are mutually reinforcing goals that ultimately depend
upon the promotion of all human rights for all people.
The principles established in the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights demand accountability for those who violate its
fundamental principles. More than that, they offer a universal blueprint
for just societies based on the values of liberty, equality, democracy,
development, and justice. These principles are not the province
of one civilization or culture but the shared birthright of all
human beings.
We therefore propose ten core principles that should
guide the response to these attacks, and to those responsible for
them.
- Condemn the Attacks
We
condemn the horrendous attacks of September 11. We urge all governments
and all people to stand against these and other indiscriminate
attacks directed at innocent civilians.
- Mourn the Victims
We
mourn the loss of innocent lives and express our solidarity with
the victims and their families.
- Bring the Perpetrators to Justice and Prevent
New Attacks
We
urge all governments to unite to investigate these crimes, to
bring to justice those who are responsible, and to prevent future
attacks.
- Safeguard Liberty while Protecting Security
In
the aftermath of the September 11 attacks the U.S. government
has the authority and the duty to take every reasonable step to
ensure security for everyone in the United States. Such steps
can and must uphold the democratic freedoms cherished by citizens
and non-citizens alike. We are confident that we can reconcile
the requirements of security with the blessings of liberty.
- Reject Scapegoating
We
commend public officials and civic and religious leaders who have
called on the public not to blame whole communities for the deeds
of a few. These leaders and the public at large should continue
to work to prevent attacks, harassment, and persecution of people
based on their race, religion, national origin, ethnic background,
or appearance. Hate crimes must be thoroughly investigated and
prosecuted.
- Promote and Respect Human Rights Worldwide
The
United States and its allies should not allow the current campaign
to prevent them from vigorously and consistently challenging violations
of fundamental rights by all governments. They must ensure that
governments do not use the fight against terrorism as a pretext
to justify repression or the curtailment of rights. And of course
they themselves must avoid support for or complicity in abuses.
- Respect the Laws of War
The
military responses that have been or may be undertaken must pay
exceptional attention to protecting civilians and civilian objects
from harm as required by international humanitarian law such as
the Geneva Conventions. Perpetrators and their accomplices must
be distinguished from the civilian population at large and from
those who may simply share their religion, ethnicity or national
origin. Efforts should also be undertaken to minimize displacement
of civilians.
- Ensure Humanitarian Access and Protect
Those Seeking Refuge
Governments
and other parties must ensure safe access to humanitarian aid
and security for humanitarian workers in order to provide the
urgent assistance required by the millions of men, women and children
inside Afghanistan. Refugees and others in need of international
protection must be allowed to leave Afghanistan or other countries
to seek safety. Governments should work together to ensure that
countries receiving refugees have the necessary resources to screen
the arriving population and to provide them with the required
standards of protection, food, water, shelter and other basic
needs.
- Promote Human Development
Freedom
from fear must go hand in hand with freedom from want. A key to
security lies in safeguarding and promoting just and equitable
societies where people's basic civil, political, economic, social
and cultural rights are respected. Today, more than ever, our
search for security must include an affirmative commitment to
advance this broader rights agenda.
- Promote and Defend Open Societies
Global
security is enhanced by the success of open societies that foster
respect for the rule of law and promote tolerance and guarantee
people's rights of free expression and peaceful dissent. We applaud
political leaders, in the U.S. and elsewhere, who champion human
rights and democratic government.
SIGNERS
Alchemind Society: The International Association for Cognitive Liberty
Alliance for Justice
American Friends Service Committee
Amnesty International - USA
Ashay: Educational Resources for a Multicultural World
Baha'is of the United States
CARE
Center for Democracy & Technology
Center for Economic and Social Rights
Center for Reproductive Law and Policy
Church World Service
Doctors of the World-USA
Food for the Hungry
Human Rights Watch
Immigration and Refugee Services of America
International Human Rights Law Group
International Institute of New Jersey
International League for Human Rights
Jesuit Refugee Service/USA
Human Rights First
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
Muslim Public Affairs Council
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the
USA
National Immigration Forum
Nuremburg Legacy Project
Open Society Institute
Oxfam America
Pacific Gateway Center
Pact
Physicians for Human Rights
Physicians for Peace
Population Communications
Refugees International
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights
Save the Children USA
Sikh Dharma International
Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force
Students for a Free Tibet
U.S. Committee for Refugees
Union of American Hebrew Congregations
Unitarian Universalists Association of Congregations
Volunteers in Technical Assistance
Western Kentucky Refugee MAA, Inc.
World Organization Against Torture USA
World Relief
Youth International
Youth Speaks NY
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