As the new United States Senate prepares to vet and confirm appointments to President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet and other high-ranking positions, Amnesty International USA urges Senators to carefully assess each nominee’s commitment to and record on human rights, including previous public statements and conduct in former government roles. Amnesty International USA reminds Senators of the responsibility of government officials to respect the U.S.’s obligations under international human rights, humanitarian, and refugee law.
Amnesty International USA is also calling on all nominees to disavow any previous statements that advocate for human rights abuses.
“Given the power and influence cabinet-level officials have over how the U.S. government conducts its business, the choice of members of the cabinet will deeply impact human rights here at home and around the world,” said Paul O’Brien, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA. “As agents of the United States government, all officials – including those about to assume posts – must abide by human rights in their policies and conduct as public servants.”
In light of statements by the President-elect and by members of his campaign and transition teams that are racist, xenophobic, and sexist or otherwise support human rights abuses, the Senate must use its authority in the confirmation process to require nominees to unambiguously commit that such statements will not become government policy and undertake to uphold the right of all persons to equality and freedom from discrimination before voting to confirm a nominee.
Similarly, the incoming members of the administration must explicitly disavow statements by those in or affiliated to the administration that support human rights abuses in any form, and commit to uphold the U.S.’s obligations under international law. In light of statements by the President-elect and key advisors in his campaign that they may (or in some cases, would) authorize such abuses, failure to explicitly withdraw such statements may send a signal to U.S. officials that such abuses may be condoned.
“The Senate has an obligation to ensure it is not confirming individuals who will likely commit, encourage, or condone human rights abuses,” said O’Brien. “The world is watching, and Amnesty will be holding President-elect Trump and the U.S. government accountable to their obligations. The Senate must as well.”
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