A003122
Wednesday, December 19, 2001 11:39 AM
Equal benefits
December 19, 2001
Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,
I write as a member of Amnesty International and believe equal access to
benefits under the September 11 Victims Relief Fund should be provided to
all significant surviving loved ones, regardless of the victim's sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has committed
to uphold international human rights standards, including the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, please apply basic
international human rights standards and the general principle of equality
by including compensation for those who lost their life partners or de
facto parents or children without regard to sexual orientation or marital
status. The State of New York has already adopted such a policy, granting
compensation benefits "on a showing of mutual interdependence with the
victim, in recognition that anyone who shared with the victim living
expenses, day to day activities and the emotional bonds of family deserves
help in this time of need."
Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, their surviving partners have had mixed results in obtaining
equal treatment at the local level in the distribution of relief funds by
private and state agencies. An inclusive policy on the part of the federal
government would help establish an important principle for other such
funds. In compensating victims, real justice will be served only when all
families - and all types of families - are treated with dignity and
equality.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Allston, MA