| Families of Victims of USS Cole Bombing Join with American Islamic Congress to Call for Accountability in Yemen |
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The American Islamic Congress announced today that it is joining with families of sailors killed in the USS Cole bombing to demand Yemen take responsible action against terrorists and protect the basic freedoms of journalists. The ad hoc coalition has issued the following statement:
“We are a coalition of civil rights activists, the families of USS Cole sailors murdered in the Al Qaeda attack on the USS Cole, and Americans of conscience.
“We are troubled by repeated reports that the Government of Yemen has released the masterminds of the attack on the USS Cole and that these terrorists freely roam the streets of Sana’a, Yemen’s capital.
“We are concerned that at the same time the Yemeni regime has targeted several leading independent journalists, including Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani, who was just sentenced to six years in prison with hard labor.
“And we note with concern that the US administration has proposed doubling US foreign aid to Yemen, despite the regression in the Government of Yemen’s action on terrorism and civil rights.
“We therefore issue the following demands:
“1) The Government of Yemen must re-arrest the masterminds behind the USS Cole bombing and keep them behind bars to serve their initial sentences. No more pardons or reduced sentences.
“2) Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani must go free, either exonerated of all trumped-up charges or pardoned by Yemen’s president, and Yemeni journalists must be free to practice their profession without government repression.
“3) The United States Congress should urgently review foreign aid to Yemen in light of the regime’s recent actions and condition such aid on verifiable progress on combating Al Qaeda terrorists and protecting civil rights for all citizens.”
Signed:
Gary G. Swenchonis, Sr., Deborah Swenchonis, and Shalala Swenchonis
Survivors of Petty Officer Gary E. Swenchonis
John Clodfelter and family
Survivors of Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Kenneth E. Clodfelter
Jesse L. and Lynn D. Nieto
Survivors of Engineman 2nd Class Marc Nieto
Nasser Weddady
Civil Rights Outreach Director, American Islamic Congress
Jane Novak
Writer and blogger leading campaign for Abdulkarim al-Khaiwa
The American Islamic Congress is a civil-rights organization promoting tolerance and the exchange of ideas among Muslims and between other peoples. With the motto “passionate about moderation,” the organization leads initiatives around the world and has offices in Washington, Boston, Egypt, and Iraq.
Contact: Davina Abujedah +1.617.266.0080
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