January 2021
As a human rights organization dedicated to providing healing and justice for all people, Heartland Alliance International has seen first-hand how vulnerable populations around the globe can be impacted by U.S. foreign policy. HAI looks forward to working with President Biden and his administration to increase international development and humanitarian response efforts. As we continue to face an international pandemic, as well as economic insecurity and inequity – we believe it to be imperative for the administration to respond to these global crises and restore U.S. credibility and engagement in the world.
Incredibly, in just one week, we have already seen positive strides toward a human rights-based agenda.
On his first day, President Biden reversed the shameful ban on travel from majority Muslim and African countries, reengaged in the World Health Organization, and introduced immigration reforms that protect Dreamers, LGBTQI+ people, and racial and ethnic minorities across the country. These initial orders are an expression of good faith to all people – both in the U.S. and around the globe. Protecting the freedom for individuals to move, live, and work freely in the U.S. sends a message to people around the globe facing human rights abuses: hope remains alive.
As promised, the U.S. re-entered the Paris Climate Accord, affirming our intent to rise to the occasion and address the imminent threats of climate change. Marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by the negative effects of climate change, and without U.S. action and leadership, the development and livelihoods of the world’s most vulnerable remain in jeopardy.
We are pleased to see the new administration taking a progressive, feminist approach to foreign policy, including making good on a commitment to gender parity within the administration. We eagerly await President Biden’s revocation of the Global Gag Rule and the introduction of the Global HER Act in the Senate to ensure that sexual and reproductive health and rights remain accessible to all individuals, regardless of the political party in power.
In addition to these critical policy changes, HAI applauds the Senate for confirming Antony Blinken as Secretary of State this week, and we anticipate the successful confirmations of Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield as U.N. Ambassador and Ambassador Samantha Power as USAID Administrator in the coming days and weeks. All of these individuals are champions for global human rights, and HAI looks forward to working with the Department of State, USAID, and the UN system to deliver a fundamentally human rights-focused agenda to address these many crises.
