N000099
Thursday, December 20, 2001 7:56 PM
Subject: equal rights for all 9/11 victims!
December 20, 2001
Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,
I am a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights coalition
dedicated 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, without regard to sexual
orientation or marital status. I believe that the United States has been
committed to upholding international human rights standards, which includes
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
I ask that you apply basic international human rights standards, and the
general principle of equality, compensating life partners as well as de
facto parents or children who have lost loved ones on 9/11, without regard
to sexual orientation or marital status.
AI reports that 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."
In the 9/11 attacks, many lesbian and gay citizens perished. Now the loved
ones 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. If the government would create an inclusive policy, this would
help establish an important principle for other such funds. Real justice
will be obtained only when all families and all types of families who have
suffered such unbearable loss on 9/11 are treated with dignity, equality,
respect and admiration for their courage.
Thank you for your consideration. I will be anxious to hear about your
efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the 9/11 attacks have equal
access to the relief fund.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Fairless Hills, PA