Major Issues
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Human Rights
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Other Foreign Policy Efforts
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Human Rights
I believe it is in
the U.S. national interest to work to resolve conflicts, protect
human rights, and to strengthen democracy around the world. During
my time in the U.S. Senate, I have worked to advance these goals.
In my capacity as Chairman or Ranking Member of the Foreign
Operations Subcommittee for over a decade, I have supported
increasing the amount of foreign aid to fund critical programs that
address a variety of problems that contribute to conflict, including
poverty and injustice.
I
was also proud to author the Leahy Law on Human rights in 1997. The
Leahy Law is an essential tool for protecting human rights. Although
this is an important goal of U.S. foreign policy, too often,
American diplomats have paid little more than lip service to
stopping human rights crimes. |
The
Leahy Law makes it clear that when credible evidence of
human rights violations exists, U.S. aid must stop. But, it
provides the necessary flexibility to allow the U.S. to
advance its foreign policy objectives in these countries.
The law gives the Secretary of State the authority to
determine when the law applies. In addition, it gives
foreign governments an incentive to correct the problem:
U.S. aid can resume if they bring to justice people who
commit such crimes. |
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Statements of Sen. Patrick Leahy
Concerning
Human Rights
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Senator Patrick Leahy Remarks For Presentation Of The
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award To Aminatou Haidar
November 13, 2008
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Leahy Again Presses White House For Torture Documents
October 16, 2008
- Bill To
Deny Safe Haven To War Criminals Who Exploit Child
Soldiers Sent To President September 15, 2008
- Statement of Senator Patrick
Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, On “From Nuremburg
To Darfur: Accountability For Crimes Against Humanity” June 24,
2008
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Comment Of
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman, Senate Judiciary
Committee, On Second Circuit Ruling In Bah v. Mukasey,
Diallo v. DHS, and Diallo v. DHS June
12, 2008
Read a complete list of Sen.
Leahy's foreign policy statements. |
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