A004363
Thursday, December 20, 2001 1:03 PM
Sept 11th
December 20, 2001
Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,
I write as an Attorney and a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide
human rights movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human
rights of people without discrimination, in support of equal access to
benefits under the September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims,
regardless of 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.
I would ask that as you consider rules for administering the relief fund
that you apply basic international human rights standards, and the general
principle of equality, by including 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. 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, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed 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 -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality.
Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Lancaster, CA