Rep. Omar Introduces the Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act (SAHRAA)

WASHINGTON -- Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) reintroduced the Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act (SAHRAA).

"I am a survivor of civil war, and I understand personally how it terrorizes children around the world," Rep. Omar said. "I also know the moral authority the United States carries on human rights and international law. We have an opportunity to live up to these values, to ensure that no child lives through violent conflict like I did, and to mean what we say when it comes to championing human rights worldwide. That is why I cannot remain silent in the face of children being bombed in buses in Yemen. That is why I cannot remain silent as the poorest countries in the world face climate devastation—even though they are the least able to afford it and are the least responsible for its causes. And that is why I will never apologize for speaking out on behalf of children hiding under their bed somewhere like I was, waiting for the bullets to stop. I am proud to introduce the Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act to ensure that there are consequences to human rights abuses regardless of who commits them. America has led the world in standing up for human rights before. It's time for us to seize the mantle of leadership again."

The Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act imposes universal human rights and humanitarian conditions on security cooperation with the United States. The bill establishes red lines based on internationally recognized gross violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law. It creates a bipartisan, independent commission modeled after the US Commission on International Religious Freedom that will be responsible for making recommendations about countries to list and delist under this law. Once a country is determined to have crossed those lines, it automatically triggers a prohibition on security aid of any kind, arms sales including those controlled by the Commerce Dept. (tear gas, etc.), and exchanges with U.S. law enforcement. At the same time, it requires the State Department to actively work with the country in question to enact transitional justice mechanisms for the victims. You may read the full bill here.

Part of Rep. Omar's Pathway to Peace, the bill outlines a bold progressive vision to rethink the country's approach to foreign policy by centering human rights, justice and peace as the pillars of America's engagement in the world, and making military action a last resort. The plan takes into account the experiences of people directly affected by conflict and the long-term consequences of U.S. militarism, acknowledges the damage done when we fail to live up to international human rights standards and is sincere about our values regardless of short-term political convenience.