A003410
Wednesday, December 19, 2001 2:44 PM
Human rights appeal
Dear Director,
I am an italian member of Amnesty International, which as you know is a
worldwide human rights movement committed to ensuring that the basic human
rights of people are respected without discrimination.
I am writing to remind you that the US government is obligated to respect
International human rights standards including the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
which prohibit arbitrary discrimination
I respectfully request that the Justice Department, consistent with such
international human rights standards, and the general principle of equality,
include among relatives eligible for compensation those who lost their life
partners as well as de facto parents or children, without regard to sexual
orientation or marital status.
I ask you to follow the positive example of New York state in 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."
I am sure that you will share my firm belief that real justice is only
served when all families - and all types of families - impacted by the human
rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with dignity and equality.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Italy