In a recent commentary, American Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and contributor to the Washington Examiner, has expressed his concerns about the Biden administration’s approach towards human rights violators around the world. Rubin argues that if Secretary of State Antony Blinken continues to prioritize friendship over ethics and cover-ups over accountability, it is imperative for Congress to step in.
Rubin specifically highlights the actions of Ambassador Beth Van Schaack, the Biden administration’s ambassador-at-large for Global Criminal Justice. Van Schaack has invited Liberian journalist and Global Justice and Research Project Director Hassan Bility, who is currently facing fraud charges, to visit Washington. This move has caused outrage among Liberians, as it appears that Biden’s appointee is prioritizing helping friends avoid justice rather than promoting it.
Rubin argues that while the issues of human rights fraud may seem small compared to conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and Sudan, the erosion of justice and the presence of conflicts of interest are corrosive to America’s reputation. If conflicts of interest are allowed to erode the country’s commitment to justice, it creates an opportunity for Russian and Chinese influence.
Rubin goes on to discuss the alleged involvement of corrupt nongovernmental organizations, such as Civitas International and the Center for Justice and Accountability, in coaching witnesses and falsifying testimony related to human rights cases. He cites an example of an American citizen falsely accused of blood diamond trade who tragically committed suicide due to unsubstantiated accusations. With overturned cases and mounting evidence of fraudulent and unethical practices, lawsuits against these organizations are imminent.
The commentary also criticizes the prioritization of politics over principle by various human rights and conflict resolution organizations. Rubin highlights the American Friends Service Committee, which won the Nobel Prize in 1947 for its work helping refugees, but later veered away from neutrality by supporting the Khmer Rouge and, more recently, Hamas. Other organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, are also accused of compromising their credibility through biased agendas.
Turning his attention to Africa, Rubin criticizes the Biden administration’s record in the region. He mentions Blinken’s pressure on the Rwandan government to release Paul Rusesabagina, who was caught wiring money to terrorists. This action was allegedly taken to appease Hollywood friends who clung to a false narrative about Rusesabagina.
Additionally, Biden’s participation in the Africa Democracy Summit, where he was seen interacting with human rights abusers, raised concerns about the administration’s commitment to addressing autocracy, ethnic cleansing, and corruption.
Rubin concludes by calling attention to the importance of upholding human rights and accountability, and urges Congress to intervene if the Biden administration continues to prioritize friendship and cover-ups over ethics and justice.
