Thursday, August 9, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC — Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement regarding the Pentagon’s decision to suspend immigrant discharges and cancelled contracts:

“We applaud the Defense Department announcement today that the U.S. Army will temporarily stop discharging immigrant recruits who enlisted on the promise of being granted a path to citizenship.

“The decision comes one month after an AP report exposed the practice, and roughly one week after NBC News covered Win Without War and our allies delivering tens of thousands of petition signatures to the Pentagon asking Secretary James Mattis to suspend it.

“Reports suggested that the policy was part of the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant agenda, and therefore, the Pentagon must still launch an investigation into why dozens of immigrant service members were discharged or had their contracts cancelled and how widespread the practice has been. It should also immediately halt all such separations across the services until such an investigation can be completed.

“We will continue to monitor this issue and work to ensure that immigrants are afforded the rights and respect they deserve, especially those who decide to put their lives on the line for our country.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

The post Win Without War Applauds Pentagon’s Decision to Suspend Unexplained Immigrant Discharges appeared first on Win Without War.

WASHINGTON, DC — Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement regarding Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh:

“Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s extreme views on executive power and international law should disqualify him to serve on the United States Supreme Court.

“Whether from his time serving in the George W. Bush administration, or opinions and arguments presented as a DC Circuit Court of Appeals judge, Kavanaugh has enabled immoral, illegal, and ineffective counterterrorism policies, including torture, indefinite detention, and unlimited mass surveillance.

“While Kavanaugh’s radical views on abortion and health care have rightfully garnered much of the media’s attention regarding his nomination to the Supreme Court, his record on national security is similarly disqualifying. His extremist views of an unlimited executive are that much more troubling given that the president who nominated him has repeatedly expressed his desire to re-introduce and expand the very same human rights and civil liberties abuses that a Justice Kavanaugh could declare constitutional.

“Confirming someone as extreme as Brett Kavanaugh is simply a risk that the United States Senate should not take.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

The post Win Without War: The Senate Should Reject Kavanaugh for Extreme Views on National Security appeared first on Win Without War.

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC — Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement in response Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s recent statement on Yemen:

“Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s claim today that the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen is ‘undertaking demonstrable actions’ to limit civilian casualties, end their starvation blockade, or negotiate in good faith to end the conflict is simply not credible.

“The situation on the ground is as dire as ever, as the Saudi coalition continues to launch more attacks that threaten to further inflame the humanitarian crisis there.

“Congress must now recognize that the Trump administration has little interest in holding the Saudi-led coalition to account, and do all it can to end U.S. participation in this senseless war to compel all sides in this conflict to come to a diplomatic resolution.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

The post Win Without War: It’s Clear Trump Won’t Rein In War Crimes in Yemen; Congress Must Act appeared first on Win Without War.

WASHINGTON, DC — Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s announcement to set a historic low cap of 30,000 refugee admissions for fiscal year 2019:

At a time when the world is facing the largest displacement crisis in recorded history, it is unconscionable that the Trump administration would further dismantle the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program by setting a cap of 30,000 refugee admissions for fiscal year 2019  — the lowest resettlement cap in the program’s history.

Whether they are escaping bombs, blockades or floods, or simply trying to seek opportunity and build a better life for their families, all people have the right to dignity, humanity, and sanctuary from harm. What’s more, the U.S. has a direct moral responsibility to open its doors, not slam them shut, given that our own nation is an active combatant in many of the very conflicts and humanitarian crises driving the global refugee crisis.

As with its Muslim Ban, family separation policy, and ending Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of people who have called our country home for decades, the Trump administration has made clear time and time again that it will allow hatred and bigotry to drive its immigration policy. Now the question is whether Congress will stand with the American people and honor our nation’s aspiration to be a refuge for those in need or if it will continue to enable Donald Trump in slamming shut our nation’s doors to those aspiring to make a new life in United States.

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

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Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement on a new House resolution aimed at ending the U.S. role in the Saudi-UAE war in Yemen:

“We applaud Congress’s continued efforts to put an end to America’s unauthorized role in enabling war crimes and humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen.

“By recently claiming that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are doing everything they can to minimize civilian casualties, the Trump administration has shown that it cannot be honest about even the most basic assessment of what the Saudi-UAE coalition is doing in Yemen.

“As support for ending this war grows, Congress is increasingly showing that it has had enough of this administration’s lies and cover ups about the United States military’s unauthorized role in fueling Yemen’s humanitarian disaster. It’s no wonder that a bipartisan group of House members led by Reps. Ro Khanna, Adam Smith, Thomas Massie, Mark Pocan, Walter Jones, and others have moved to force a vote on ending our shameful role in this conflict. It’s now up to their colleagues to decide which side of history they’ll stand on.”

The post Momentum is Building to End the War in Yemen appeared first on Win Without War.

Oct. 22. 2018

WASHINGTON, DC — Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty:

“For more than three decades, the INF Treaty has minimized the prospect of nuclear war by banning an entire class of nuclear arms from being built and deployed. Known as, ‘the treaty that ended the Cold War,’ the INF played a major role in reversing terrifying out-of-control arms racing and reducing the massive arsenals of both the United States and the then-Soviet Union.

With yet another reckless decision, Donald Trump is planning to unilaterally withdraw from this historic arms control agreement, dramatically increasing the risk of an unthinkable nuclear war.

“There’s no doubt that this move was accelerated by Trump’s national security advisor, John Bolton, who built his career on disdain for both arms control and international law and norms. U.S. withdrawal from the INF Treaty only adds to the dangers already posed by the U.S. nuclear arsenal being controlled solely by Donald Trump, who, it should be noted, casually made the INF announcement at a campaign rally.

“Withdrawing from the treaty will also do nothing to bring Russia back into compliance, despite absurd claims to that effect by the Trump administration. What’s more likely is an unnecessary and dangerous Cold War-esque nuclear arms race in which the only winners are weapons makers and those working to drive a wedge between the United States and Europe.

“Congress must speak out against this truly awful idea and pledge to refrain from funding the construction of any nuclear weapons that were banned under this treaty.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

The post Win Without War: Another Foolish Trump National Security Decision Makes Us Less Safe appeared first on Win Without War.

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC — Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement in response to the Trump administration calling for an end to the Saudi-UAE war in Yemen:

“Facing a full-scale rebellion in the U.S. Congress, top Trump administration officials have now called for an end to the Saudi and UAE-led intervention against the Houthis in Yemen. While we welcome this shift, we can’t take the Trump administration at its word. Time and again, Trump and his administration have shown that it will not take action to hold Saudi Arabia or the UAE to account for their destabilizing activities in the region. Regardless of administration statements, Congress must act now to give these words teeth by passing the bipartisan legislation in both the House and Senate (HConRes 138 and SJRes 54) that will finally end U.S. participation in this brutal war.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

The post Win Without War: Amid Shift From Trump, Congress Must Stay Focused on Ending U.S. Involvement in Yemen War appeared first on Win Without War.

Thursday, November 1, 2018 

WASHINGTON, DC — Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement ahead of Donald Trump’s decision to re-impose sanctions on Iranian oil:

“Donald Trump is about to take a bad decision and make it worse. Next week the Trump administration will double down on its unilateral withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal by reimposing oil sanctions that were lifted as part of the agreement.

“Reimposing these sanctions could very well lead to the collapse of the nuclear deal. Iran would then be free to restart elements of its nuclear program that had been frozen under the agreement — a move that would make war with Iran more, not less, likely.

“To implement this policy, Trump is further dividing the U.S. and Europe, while at the same time turning a blind eye to Saudi Arabia’s gross human rights abuses. Trump is giving Saudi Arabia a free pass for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to ensure that Saudi oil flows in the absence of Iranian crude. At the same time, he is also willing to impose sanctions on our European friends, who want to continue business in Iran to keep the deal alive, as it is currently working to block Iran’s paths to building a nuclear weapon.

“On top of these strategic blunders, reimposing the sanctions will result in higher oil prices, which means Americans will pay more at the gas pump, particularly as we approach the holiday travel season.

“The best course of action is for the United States to re-enter the Iran nuclear deal and re-internationalize a response to some of the challenges Iran presents. Any other course, particularly the one Trump is pursuing, is a recipe for division, economic uncertainty, or even war.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

The post Win Without War: Trump’s Oil Sanctions on Iran Make War More Likely & Will Raise Gas Prices at Home appeared first on Win Without War.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement on the firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

“Donald Trump’s firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions sends a loud and clear signal that we are on the verge of a constitutional crisis. Worse still is Trump’s decision to subvert the rules and appoint current DOJ chief of staff Matt Whitaker rather than Deputy Director Rosenstein, to replace Sessions – and thus oversee Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian crimes surrounding the 2016 election.

This is a clear and obvious attempted cover-up and an effort to prematurely end an investigation that has already returned multiple convictions, will likely soon return more, and has paid for itself with tens of millions of dollars in civil penalties. This is the kind of behavior you would expect from Vladimir Putin, Rodrigo Duterte, or Mohammed bin Salman, not the President of the United States.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

The post Win Without War: Sessions Firing Signals Further Descent from the Rule of Law appeared first on Win Without War.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

WASHINGTON — Win Without War Policy Director Kate Kizer released the following statement responding to the House GOP’s reported move to de-privilege the war powers resolution on Yemen:

“Paul Ryan just confirmed what we’ve all suspected, that there’s a clear majority in the House willing to end U.S. support for the war in Yemen. Republican leadership knows how to count votes and this action makes clear they don’t have them. We expect incoming Democratic leadership to commit, come January, to allow the House to vote on the war in Yemen.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

The post Win Without War: Time Is Running Out For Yemen appeared first on Win Without War.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

WASHINGTON — Win Without War Policy Director Kate Kizer released the following statement responding to the House vote to de-privilege the war powers resolution on Yemen:

“It’s unfortunate that the House Republican leadership chose as one of its last acts in the majority to block Congress from exercising its constitutional responsibility to vote on when and where our nation goes to war. Fortunately, the Senate will soon have an opportunity to do the job House Republicans have refused, to fully cut off U.S. support for the horrific war in Yemen.

“House Democratic leaders should also take this chance to commit to put our unauthorized involvement in Yemen on the floor when they get their hands on the gavel in January. While the people of Yemen cannot wait for Congress’ continued inaction, such a commitment would signal to Saudi Arabia and the UAE that it’s time to end the war, now.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

The post Win Without War: The Fight to End the War in Yemen Continues appeared first on Win Without War.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

WASHINGTON — Win Without War Policy Director Kate Kizer released the following statement responding to Donald Trump’s statement that he stands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the wake of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder:

“Donald Trump’s statement today announcing his support for Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) in the wake of the murder of Washington Post journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi is delusional.

“The statement is full of false information and meanders to and from various indecent and careless remarks – there are no words to describe its absurdity. What it does make clear, however, is that Trump will not hold MbS accountable for Khashoggi’s brutal murder or Saudi Arabia’s war crimes in Yemen, in large part, because he needs Saudi Arabia for his march to war with Iran.  

“Trump has chosen to cast aside American values in order to stand with a despotic monarchy that regularly traffics in gross human rights abuses and perpetuates a vicious war in Yemen — a war that has needlessly killed tens of thousands and put 14 million people on the verge of famine. Trump and MbS are now isolated together in an authoritarian, oligarchic alternate reality of their own making where personality and profits stand above all else, including the murder of U.S.-based journalists.

“The reality is that Saudi Arabia’s brutal conduct at home and abroad, and Trump’s denial of a recent U.S. Intelligence Community assessment that concluded MbS ordered Khashoggi’s murder, make no one safer.

“It is now up to the U.S. Congress and our democratic allies around the world to hold Saudi Arabia and MbS accountable for the atrocities he and his government have committed and to uphold the values of democracy, press freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

The post Win Without War: Trump Absolving Saudi Arabia for Khashoggi’s Murder is a Disgrace appeared first on Win Without War.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Activist groups make final push ahead of a likely upcoming Senate vote.

WASHINGTON — Four national groups representing a wide swath of the American public on Thursday will publish full-page ads in The Oklahamoan, The Greenville News, and The Post & Courier newspapers asking Sens. James Lankford (R-OK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Tim Scott (R-SC), respectively, to end the U.S. role in Saudi Arabia’s brutal war in Yemen. On Sunday, the same ads will run in The Las Vegas Review Journal targeting Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Dean Heller, and in Alabama’s Birmingham News and Mobile Press-Register targeting Sen. Doug Jones.

“Saudi Arabia’s crown prince didn’t just order the murder of a Washington Post journalist. He is also waging war on millions of Yemeni civilians — with American backing, and using American bombs,” say Avaaz, VoteVets, Win Without War, and the Yemen Peace Project in the ad. “Up to 14 million people in Yemen…are on the verge of famine. They could starve to death if the bombing doesn’t stop.”

Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) have introduced a bill to end U.S. participation in the war. A vote on the measure is likely to take place later this month.

“It took the brutal murder of a journalist to open up senators’ eyes to the crimes of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman,” said Danny Auron, campaign director at Avaaz. “Now they have a responsibility to act to protect millions of Yemeni civilians from this vicious war — by ending US support to Saudi Arabia.”

“Without debate, and without a vote, America has been materially supporting the Saudi war in Yemen, which has turned into a horrific humanitarian crisis,” said Will Fischer, Director of Government Relations at VoteVets. “Bombs that were made in America are slaughtering innocent children and families and, until recently, we even helped fuel the planes that dropped those bombs. None of this can or should be done with American support, but certainly not when our Congress hasn’t authorized it. It is time for Washington politicians to do the job they were sent to Capitol Hill to do, and force a debate and vote on our involvement in the war in Yemen.”

“It’s time to put an end to this awful and unnecessary war,” said Win Without War Policy Director Kate Kizer. “The Senators we’re targeting with these ads have an opportunity to not only demonstrate their belief in the separation of powers and Congress’s constitutional responsibility to vote on when and where our nation goes to war, but also to show the world that the United States stands for human rights, justice, and accountability.”

“When future historians write accounts of the human devastation wrought by the conflict, American munitions, American logistical support, and American diplomatic cover for heinous war crimes will loom large,” said Eric Eikenberry, Director of Policy & Advocacy at the Yemen Peace Project. “Many in the administration feel comfortable playing the villain, or inanely think that other countries will bear the brunt of both blame and accountability. With a potential famine impacting millions, we can only hope that Congress acts with more foresight, and more humanity.”

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The post Full-Page Print Ads Ask Senators to End the War in Yemen appeared first on Win Without War.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

WASHINGTON — Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement responding to the Senate vote to end the U.S. role in the war in Yemen:

“Today, the United States Senate sent a clear, bipartisan message to Donald Trump, and the world, that the U.S must no longer participate in the Saudi-UAE coalition’s disastrous war in Yemen.

“The war has sent Yemen into a tailspin, killing tens of thousands, leaving millions displaced, and putting the country on the brink of famine and economic collapse. A large bipartisan majority of 63 Senators voted today to advance legislation to finally end the U.S. role in their suffering, a result that represents an unmistakable rebuke to Donald Trump and his policy of blind support for Saudi Arabia, particularly in the wake of the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

“The vote also reflects the will of the American people. Polls show that bipartisan majorities support ending the United States’ participation in fueling this conflict. Activists from our own organization, Win Without War, took more than 200,000 actions calling on their representatives to end the war.

“We also cannot overlook that with this vote, Congress has at long last begun to reassert its sole constitutional responsibility to decide when and where our nation goes to war.

“For far too long our political leaders have sat by silently while the blood of innocent Yemenis drenched our nation’s hands. Today’s historic vote is a welcome first step towards righting that wrong, but it must not be the last.

“We are also incredibly grateful to Senators Bernie Sanders, Mike Lee, Chris Murphy, and the growing list of cosponsors for their longstanding and determined leadership on this issue.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

The post Win Without War: Senate Rebukes Trump, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE on Yemen appeared first on Win Without War.

WASHINGTON, DC — Win Without War released the following statement regarding Donald Trump’s decision to cancel his upcoming summit with Kim Jong Un:

“It’s disappointing that Donald Trump has canceled the upcoming summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. It’s also not entirely surprising, given the Trump administration’s incompetence, mixed signals about its intentions, and complete lack of preparation.

“The summit could have been a historic opportunity to finally put us on the path to achieve long-term peace and security on the Korean peninsula. But instead, Trump and his team have shown time and again that they’re not up to the task of nuts and bolts diplomacy. Trump made a hasty decision to accept the meeting with Kim without proper planning, his administration continued its provocations and bellicose rhetoric, and now, he has cancelled the summit via an inane letter threatening nuclear war.

“At the same time, the diplomatic path is not dead. Diplomacy always takes time and effort, and setbacks are to be expected. Despite the cancellation of the summit, the United States should continue to work toward a negotiated solution that will rein in North Korea’s nuclear program and bring an end to the conflict, by following South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s lead.

“We can’t forget that many in Trump’s administration, including his National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, are thirsty for war. Their repeated threats of regime change in North Korea have contributed to the downfall of this diplomatic opportunity. The American public and Congress must prevent the Trump administration from using this self-inflicted setback to justify a catastrophic U.S. war of choice on the Korean peninsula.”

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WASHINGTON, DC — Win Without War released the following statement on the passage of H.R. 5515, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019:

“We applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for adopting amendments in the FY-19 NDAA that would enhance transparency into the legal basis for our operations in Syria, require an investigation into potential violations of international law by the United States’ and its partner forces in Yemen, and hold perpetrators of mass atrocities against the Rohingya people accountable.

“We also strongly support the House adopting measures declaring that there is no congressional authorization for the use of military force against Iran or North Korea. There couldn’t be a better time for Congress to make it clear to the president he does not have the unilateral power to go to war, given his decision to violate the Iran nuclear deal and cancel the upcoming summit with Kim Jong-un.

“Despite these positive developments, yet again, House leadership prevented consideration on dozens of amendments that would have had consequential impacts on matters of war and peace, and protect the rights and security of Americans and people around the world. Important measures to rein in wasteful spending at the Pentagon, and to protect the rights of service members who are DREAMers, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals were not considered.

“All members of Congress have a moral and constitutional responsibility to provide proper oversight and meaningful debate on these issues. We will continue to urge Congress to uphold that responsibility.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in America.

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Win Without War Advocacy Director Erica Fein released the following statement ahead of Donald Trump’s June 12 summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un:

“We strongly support any effort to bring peace to the Korean peninsula, reduce the world’s stockpile of nuclear weapons, and alleviate the suffering of those under the thumb of North Korea’s repressive regime. Next week’s summit between Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presents one of best opportunities in decades to do just that.

“While we recognize that a commicaly ill-prepared, scandal-plagued American president, who himself presents a grave threat to U.S. national security will be a focal point of these negotiations,we strongly encourage the nation’s media to focus on the serious issues on the agenda and not the un-serious person at the table. And to the extent that the world focuses on the personalities behind the negotiations, we should be celebrating the Korean people and South Korean President Moon Jae-in who have together been the key drivers of diplomacy with North Korea.

“Achieving peace, ridding the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons, and confronting human rights abuses in North Korea will not happen overnight. The painstaking diplomacy required to achieve those ends will take years, if not decades.

“At the same time, we should remain vigilant that there are those who will seek to use any lack of progress at next week’s summit as a pretext for war. But make no mistake, Americans, Koreans, and people the world over recognize that the Singapore Summit is the beginning of this diplomatic process. We stand with them and will work to prevent any push to turn this historic diplomatic opening into a prelude to a devastating war.”

The post The Singapore Summit Is Just The Beginning of a Long Road to Peace appeared first on Win Without War.

Win Without War Director Stephen Miles released the following statement on the Singapore Summit:

“The Singapore Summit has the potential to mark an incredible turning point in relations between North Korea, the United States, and its allies in the region, and serves as a compelling reminder of the power of diplomacy.

“We welcome commitments towards establishing a peace regime, the repatriation of American service member remains, and a renewed push for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

“But now, the hard work begins. This first joint statement must be followed up with detailed negotiations on implementing these commitments and on garnering new agreements to fulfill the Korean people’s desire for peace and security. While we’ve seen similar processes and agreements with North Korea break down in the past, this summit is a positive first step toward a new direction that could provide all sides with an opportunity to build trust and build on their commitments. We hope all parties involved will act in good faith and continue down this diplomatic path, however long it takes and no matter the obstacles that will inevitably arise, to achieve peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

“At the same time, we must be clear-eyed about the danger ahead. Donald Trump has assembled a war cabinet headed by men with both a long history of opposing and undermining diplomacy. The incompetence and recklessness this administration has shown in dealing with issues of national security and diplomacy – from Paris to the JCPOA to the G7 – remain deeply troubling. The administration must be prepared to address obstacles or points of breakdown in the diplomatic process with more dialogue, not a false choice of war.

“Nevertheless, we, as Americans, should be rooting for this process to succeed and we look forward to the day when the people of the U.S., the Korean Peninsula, and the world can live free from the fear of nuclear war.”

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Win Without War Policy Director Kate Kizer released the following statement regarding plans by the UAE and the Saudi-led coalition to launch an offensive on the key Yemeni port of Hudaydah:

“The war in Yemen seems to be on the verge of taking a devastating and deadly turn. Reports indicate that the United Arab Emirates and their allies in the Saudi-led coalition are on the verge of launching an offensive on Hudaydah, the vital port city in Yemen home to 600,000 people and the point of entry for 70 percent of Yemen’s food and fuel. A prolonged battle over Hudaydah –whether the city or the port – will be the tipping point that plunges the millions of people suffering in Yemen into a full blown famine and an even greater humanitarian crisis.

“For years we have watched American politicians proclaim their concern over the immense human suffering caused by the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, and now is the chance to turn that concern into action. The UAE, the Saudis, and their allies depend on the direct military and political support of the United States to wage war in Yemen and the only thing that can prevent them from a devastating attack on Hudaydah is public pressure and a clear diplomatic intervention by the United States.

“The muddled messages we have seen from Secretary Pompeo, the silence from Donald Trump, and the equivocation we’ve seen for far too long in Congress cannot be allowed to continue. Today, we call on each and every member of Congress to demand the planned Hudaydah offensive be halted and that all parties immediately and without precondition resume negotiations over a political settlement.

“If the UAE and Saudi Arabia move forward with an offensive on Hudaydah, we call on Congress to immediately end all military support to the coalition’s intervention in Yemen.

The post Congress Must Stop UAE, Saudi-led Military Offensive in Yemen appeared first on Win Without War.

JOINT STATEMENT BY HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES GROUPS

The undersigned human rights and civil liberties organizations urge the Saudi and UAE-led coalition to immediately and unconditionally release Radhya Almutawakel and Abdulrasheed Alfaqih, two prominent Yemeni human rights defenders with Mwatana Organization for Human Rights who were detained in Yemen today.

Authorities working at government-controlled Seiyun city airport detained the advocates on June 18, 2018, as they were preparing to travel abroad to an event at the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue in Oslo. Their detention follows the brief detention of Alfaqih by authorities loyal to Yemeni President Hadi on June 14, 2018.

Mwatana is a globally recognized Yemeni civil society organization, which impartially investigates violations by all parties to the war in Yemen. In 2017, Almutawakel was invited to brief the UN Security Council, where she explained how the war was impacting Yemeni civilians. That same year, she spoke about the impact of arms on the conflict in Yemen at a High-Level Panel at the opening of the Arms Trade Treaty Conference of States Parties. Both Almutawakel and Alfaqih were awarded the Global Advocate Award at Columbia Law School’s Human Rights Institute, and were practitioners-in-residence there in 2017.

The detention of Almutawakel and Alfaqih comes at a time when millions of Yemenis are suffering from the devastating consequences of violations committed by the Saudi-led coalition during its military campaign in Yemen, widespread abuses by the Houthis and armed groups including al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, and the likely impact of the UAE-orchestrated offensive on the port of Hodeidah, critical for the supply of humanitarian aid to the country. The work of Radhya Almutawakel, Abdulrasheed Alfaqih, and other human rights defenders to document the rights violations in Yemen is therefore all the more vital to ensure that the global community remains informed of the rights situation in one of the most underreported conflicts in the world.

The undersigned groups call on the Saudi and UAE-led Coalition authorities to immediately free Radhya Almutawakel and Abdulrasheed Alfaqih, that there be no further threats to their security, and to cease the hindering of the essential work of human rights advocates in Yemen.

Amnesty International

Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)

Center for Constitutional Rights

Control Arms Coalition

European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR)

Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

Global Justice Clinic (NYU School of Law)

Human Rights Clinic (Columbia Law School)

Human Rights Watch

International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)

International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)

PAX

Physicians for Human Rights

Reprieve

Rights Watch UK

Win Without War

Yemen Peace Project

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