Amnesty International Letter to Senate Re: Arms Sales to Philippines (August 25, 2020)

On August 25th, 2020 Amnesty International USA sent a letter to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) urging them to weigh in on impending arms sales to the Philippines. Amnesty International has long been concerned about the human rights record of President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines.

Download the text of the letter here


August 25, 2020

 

Sen. James Risch

Chairman

Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

423 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

 

Sen. Bob Menendez

Ranking Member

Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

423 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

 

Re: Comment Period on Proposed U.S. Foreign Military Sale to Philippines Ending August 29

 

Dear Chairman Risch, Ranking Member Menendez, and Members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations:

On behalf of Amnesty International and our eight million members, supporters, and activists worldwide, we are writing in regard to the proposed U.S. Foreign Military Sale of various military boats and armament to the Government of Philippines (Transmittal 20-38, July 30, 2020, attached). We urge you to seek further information about this proposed sale during the 30-day period open to Congressional comment, which closes at the end of this week on August 29.

In light of the recent report by the State Department (“DOS”) Office of the Inspector General regarding inadequate human rights vetting prior to sales to Saudi Arabia and in view of the Philippines’ longstanding human rights record, we are very concerned about the potential misuse of U.S.-supplied weapons. We are particularly concerned that the 156 machine guns included in the sale could be used to violate human rights. Since 2016 Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s “War on Drugs” has resulted in the summary execution of thousands of civilians by members of the police and vigilantes. Moreover, just weeks before this proposed sale was announced, President Duterte signed a new “Anti-Terror Law” that puts human rights defenders, pro-democracy activists, civil society organizations and members of the political opposition at greater risk under the government’s continuing crackdown against political dissent.

We urge you to request detailed information about the proposed transfer from the DOS Bureau of Political Military Affairs and to seek assurances that these weapons will not be used to violate human rights. As the weapons in question are designated as significant military equipment (SME), we urge you to ask the following particular questions about the required DSP-83 Non-Transfer and Use form.

  • What government unit (or branch of the military) is listed as the end-user on the DSP-83 (Item 3)? Congress should be aware of the specific military or security forces for which these items are intended.
  • What is the intended purpose of the transfer? In accord with item 8 on DSP-83, Congress should be aware of whether the weapons are to be used in conjunction with the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty or, instead, are intended for internal security and civic action. If the latter, Congress should be apprised of details and envisioned restraints, particularly as concerns the machine guns included in the sale.
  • What steps will the Trump administration take to ensure that weapons are not used to violate human rights, in accordance with U.S. law and policy? Close monitoring via the Golden Sentry program must be a priority if this sale goes forward.

The weapons in this proposed sale have potential to be used in grave human rights violations, and the Duterte government has demonstrated that it is more than willing to commit such violations. I am sure you understand the risks associated with the U.S. government arming Duterte’s security forces in this context. We hope you will raise questions and. convey serious concerns about this proposed sale to DOS Bureau of Political Military Affairs. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at 202/281-0017 or [email protected].

 

Sincerely,

 

Joanne Lin

National Director

Advocacy and Government Affairs

Amnesty International USA

 

Nathaniel Smith

Military Security and Police Transfers Coordination Group

Amnesty International USA