Statment from the Tom Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice: Keep America's promises in the fight against Global AIDS

From the U.S. it is hard to imagine the misery of the African continent, where 22.4 million people are living with HIV, and AIDS is the number one cause of death. Africa has the highest rates of tuberculosis (TB) in the world and 90 percent of all deaths from malaria occur on this continent. Before his death in 2008, California Congressman Tom Lantos fought to extend America’s hope to those suffering around the world. As a survivor of the Holocaust, he understood personally the impact U.S. involvement could make on the outcomes of a global tragedy like these deadly infectious diseases in Africa—in the form of infections prevented and lives saved.

The last major piece of legislation Lantos authored was the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Act of 2008. In this bi-partisan effort, Lantos and his Republican colleague Illinois Congressman Henry Hyde worked to reauthorize the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). It has been one of the most successful global health programs in history. Like the Marshall Plan, which restored the devastated continent of Europe after World War II, PEPFAR, commonly known as Lantos-Hyde, put the global AIDS program on a path that has built greater local capacity to respond to communities in crisis. This landmark law is a rare bipartisan success story. It was championed by majorities in both the House and Senate, with strong backing from then-Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Tom Lantos was proud of the leadership role the U.S. played in expanding access to the blessing of HIV/AIDS treatment to those around the world who would otherwise needlessly suffer and die. Before PEPFAR, hospitals were clogged with AIDS patients. Instead of going to school, children, mainly girls, were obliged to stay home to care for their dying relatives. Tom Lantos believed treatment would save the lives of many HIV-positive African teachers and nurses at risk of dying of AIDS—and it did. He saw treatment as a way to avoid the enormous suffering, death and financial cost that results when millions of children are left to fend for themselves as orphans and when entire communities collapse. It contributed to prevention by making people who are living with the HIV virus less infectious to others. Lantos-Hyde called for a major expansion of prevention services, including prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child and greater access to proven, effective measures like circumcision for men.

For Tom, investment in HIV treatment and prevention was a wise and worthy investment for America to turn the tide, prevent death and suffering, and address the looming global impact of the AIDS pandemic in the future. Before he died, he spoke often about the Lantos-Hyde law, because he saw HIV/AIDS as a defining moral issue for our time. He called the lack of access to treatment a “fundamental injustice.”

But, today, the legacy of a bold and hopeful vision for the future for millions suffering from and affected by HIV, left to us by Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde, is faltering.

The global financial crisis has undoubtedly left the world in a state of uncertainty about our economic future. Nevertheless, among the difficult choices that have to be made, underfunding Lantos-Hyde should not be one of them.

Last December, Senators Barbara Boxer and Johnny Isakson, joined by six Senate colleagues, sent a letter to President Obama warning that “the success of our HIV/AIDS program is potentially compromised by a proposed slowdown in funding.” Another letter from nearly 300 physicians and scientists to the House Appropriations Committee leadership characterized the President’s FY11 budget as a “retreat” in the fight against AIDS. In May, a report from Doctors Without Borders showed a dramatic deceleration in the expansion of AIDS treatment, due in part to a decline in the pace of U.S. global AIDS funding.

Right now, the number of people in need of AIDS prevention, treatment and care services greatly exceeds the supply. Without a serious, scaled up response by the U.S. and other major global donors, the health delivery infrastructure put in place to provide life-saving drugs,
vaccines, and other critical health services for people with HIV as well as communities at large, especially in African countries, will begin to erode under the weight of millions of sick and dying men, women and children.

The U.S. has a moral imperative to re-assume its leadership role in the fight against HIV– by scaling up treatment and prevention investment, and rededicating our efforts towards the goal of universal access of HIV medications to all in need.

To some, scaling up HIV treatment and prevention is seen as a burden on the U.S. taxpayer. Instead, it should be seen as an investment that has already paid for itself many times over in good will towards our country and hope restored in African communities. Unfortunately,
Congress is now on course to provide little or no funding increase to AIDS programs.

TB stands out as being woefully underfunded. It is the biggest killer of people living with HIV/AIDS, and Lantos-Hyde requires the Administration to set forth a bold strategy on the disease. Currently, the administration is supporting a TB plan with treatment goals lower than those mandated by Lantos-Hyde.

The Obama administration’s $63 billion Global Health Initiative (GHI) calls for a “rebalancing” of the global health portfolio and is an important signal of the intention of the U.S. government to expand its leadership on global health. It is commendable. Unfortunately, the proposed funding will not accommodate both the scope of Lantos-Hyde and provide the additional funding proposed for neglected tropical diseases, reproductive, maternal and child health, and health system strengthening support.

The U.S. is retreating from its formidable leadership role in the war against the ravages of disease on vulnerable societies. This is a war in which all of humanity is a winner. It is worth the investment and the sacrifice.

Inadequate funding will pit disease against disease and patient against patient. A tiny fraction of the U.S. budget is needed to fully fund the programs authorized by Lantos-Hyde. Maintaining this level of commitment to the international fight against misery provides a clear example to the international community. This is the type of leadership that Tom Lantos, Henry Hyde, and all the supportive Democratic and Republican congressmen and congresswomen envisioned.

The U.S. must remain steadfast, courageous, and committed to defeating the AIDS pandemic and mitigating its heartbreaking implications for children and families. President Obama and Congress need to join together to put America back on course to keeping its promises.

San Francisco Airport Terminal Three Hub Renamed - Tom Lantos Rotunda dedicated in commemoration of Congressman's Life of Public Service

Internationally renowned human rights leader, and former Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Tom Lantos, will be honored today at the Dedication of the Tom Lantos Rotunda at the San Francisco International Airport.

Lantos who traveled extensively on behalf of human rights throughout his life was also a forceful advocate for the San Francisco International Airport which was in his congressional district. Congresswoman Jackie Speier, and numerous other dignitaries will join Mrs. Lantos and other representatives of the Lantos family on the occasion of the dedication of the Rotunda. Honoring Congressman Lantos, a permanent bronze plaque donated to the airport by the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice will be unveiled at a 2pm ceremony in the Louis A. Turpin Aviation Museum in the International Terminal.

In remarks prepared for the occasion, Mrs. Annette Lantos, Congressman Lantos’ wife of 58 years said, “Most of Tom’s travel took him across the globe in pursuit of his great passion for human rights and justice. Many of those trips began and ended right here in the International Terminal of the San Francisco Airport. My husband had a 60 year love affair with San Francisco, and no matter where we found ourselves in the world he would always request that someone sing his favorite song—I Left my Heart in San Francisco!”

Press Release: The Lantos foundation forcefully condemns attack on Jewish group in Germany

Following an attack on a Jewish dance group at a cultural festival in Hannover, Germany, during which a group of Arab youths hurled rocks at the performers and injured one group member, the Lantos Foundation issued this statement:

It is deeply disturbing that in the heart of Europe, more than sixty years after the Holocaust, Jewish citizens are being targeted for violent attack. This incident is part of a rising tide of renewed anti-Semitism in Europe, the continent that witnessed the premeditated massacre of over six million men, women, and children of Jewish heritage. While the vast majority of Germans no doubt reject this appalling behavior, it is nonetheless shocking that such an incident occurred in the country most associated with the horrors of the Holocaust.

We call upon not only the German government but, more importantly, the German people and all Europeans to forcefully and unequivocally condemn this outrage. It is more than a little ironic that this unprovoked attack on Jewish people took place just a few weeks after a senior member of the Washington Press Corps asserted that the Jews should “get the hell out of Palestine” and go back to Europe.

The ancient poison of anti-Semitism is tragically alive and well in the world. Those who engage in an orchestrated campaign to delegitimize the existence of the only Jewish state will feed and spread this poison.

A Commentary by Annette Lantos Tillemann-Dick Regarding the Recent Conviction of Serbian Genocide Leaders

On June 10th the UN War Crimes Tribunal sentenced two Bosnian Serbs to life in prison for their role in the slaughter of 8,000 Muslim boys and men in Srebenica in the former Yugoslavia. The conviction and sentencing of Vujadin Popovich and Ljubisa Beara underscores a precedent set by the Nuremberg Trials after WWII. The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice emphatically supports that precedent of holding individuals responsible for their participation in acts of genocide.

Those who actively participate in efforts to systematically annihilate groups whose ethnicity or religion may differ from their own must be held accountable for these acts of conscious, willful inhumanity. Counter genocide expert, Mike Pryce, has identified distinct milestones on the road to genocide. Pryce says of the convictions which took place in the Netherlands, “This is an important way of holding individuals responsible for their part in directing a collective crime.”

The decision of the UN war crime tribunal represents a modest success in the effort to bring some of the culpable to justice. It also serves to warn others who may be involved in ethnically motivated killing. But these judgments came slowly and at an exorbitant price. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on a handful of trials. At one point over $100,000 a month was being spent by the US to fund the defense of one Serbian accused of mass murders. If these resources had, even in part, been directed towards local community needs the benefits would have been remarkable.

Though the inflammatory content of the UN tribunal trials would have challenged the resources of many local courts, the State Courts of Bosnia are composed of part international and part local judges. Utilizing balanced national institutions to mete out justice would create more economically viable models for future offenses.

After the Holocaust of WWII, Jewish survivors took up the mantra, “Never again.” In the wake of every genocide, balanced, caring humans are universally motivated to cry, “Never again!” again. Unfortunately, the spectacles of mass human slaughters have become painfully common place in the 20th and 21st centuries. These atrocities mock notions of genuine human progress. Working in a multilateral way to intervene before such travesties occur and developing mechanisms to respond sanely and swiftly when the world community does not successfully counter crimes against humanity is essential to maintaining fundamental civility in a global community.

Annette Lantos' statement regarding Helen Thomas' remarks about Israel

Helen Thomas' remarks on May 27th have outraged people of good conscience across the globe. My late husband Congressman Tom Lantos and I both lost family members in Europe during the horror of the Holocaust. It was the searing experiences of our youth that led us to our profound commitment to fight for human rights and justice. Through our work in Congress and now through the Lantos Foundation we have worked to shine a bright light on the lingering evils of bigotry, hatred, and anti-Semitism in the often dark corners of the world. I never imagined that same bright light would be shone on the center chair of the White House Press Corps. It is almost inconceivable that the “Dean” of this distinguished group of talented journalists could have made such offensive and profoundly ill-informed comments. Helen Thomas’ deplorable views do nothing to foster peace in the Middle East, but rather encourage the behavior that has caused such misery in the region. Unfortunately, her tepid and evasive apology cannot undo the far-reaching damage that her thoughtless words fuel.

Statement on China's warning that President Obama not meet The Dalai Lama

The Lantos Foundation was honored to present its Inaugural Lantos Human Rights Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama last October. At that time we encouraged President Obama to extend an invitation to this gentle man of peace to meet with him at the White House. We are gratified that the President will meet with His Holiness later this month.

The Lantos Foundation commends President Obama for doing the right thing by remaining stalwart in the face of Chinese threats and intimidation. This meeting will send a clear message that the promotion of human rights is a top priority with the Obama Administration. That is a message of hope that will resonate with thousands of people around the world who are struggling to uphold their dignity and their rights in the face of persecution and repression.

Statement Regarding Internet Freedom in China

In February of 2006 during a congressional hearing on Internet use in China, Congressman Tom Lantos made the following statement regarding Google and Yahoo:

“These companies need to do more than show they have virtual backbone. What Congress is looking for is real spine and a willingness to stand up to the outrageous demands of a totalitarian regime… They need to stand with us in fighting repression in China and everywhere they intend to do business.”

This week it appears that Google and Yahoo have heeded Congressman Lantos' wise advice. As the result of a cyber attack experienced by Google that appears to have targeted the accounts of Chinese human rights activists, Google issued a statement saying that they are no longer willing to censor their search results on the Chinese version of their search engine, even if it means they can no longer do business in China. Since Google took a stand and reported the abuse to the US State Department, Yahoo has made a statement that they stand behind Google in condemning the attack.

The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice applauds Google for its courageous and moral response to this infringement of Internet free speech. The Internet should be a tool of freedom not repression. The free expression of ideas on the Internet can inform, educate, organize, and empower individuals and organizations and it is an especially powerful tool in countries where freedoms are limited. We urge Google and Yahoo to continue along this principled path. The Lantos Foundation looks forward to supporting their efforts in support of free speech, and hope more members of the public and private sector will join them.

Statement on the Restrictive Language Law Recently Adopted in Slovakia

Free and democratic societies share the characteristics of tolerance, respect for diversity, and a robust protection of human and minority rights. With its recent enactment of a highly restrictive and punitive language law, Slovakia has taken yet another disturbing step away from these democratic values toward intolerance and discrimination. Under the provisions of this oppressive law, Slovakia becomes the only EU member state, post accession, to legislate financial penalties on some of its citizens for speaking their native language in public.

This law violates Slovakia’s obligations under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as well as the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. At a more basic level it is an affront to the human rights of the minority populations in Slovakia, particularly the more than 500,000 members of the historic Hungarian community.

Since their introduction on September 1, 2009, the punitive measures of the Slovak Language Law have caused widespread intimidation in Hungarian-inhabited communities of Slovakia. In schools, post offices, shops and on public transportation, ethnic Hungarians no longer risk speaking Hungarian, because Slovak citizens order them to “speak Slovak in Slovakia,” or threaten to report them to the authorities.

Although Slovakia has pledged to international bodies not to implement the law until next year, the Slovak Commerce Authority has launched an official investigation and threatened to impose the law's punitive sanctions (between 100 and 5,000 Euros) against the Hungarian weekly Szabad Újság (Free Newspaper) for billboards advertising the Hungarian newspaper to Hungarian readers in Hungarian. Authorities have called the mayor of Nagytárkány (Velké Trakany) to account for making public service announcements to the 99 percent Hungarianinhabited village in the Hungarian language.

The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice calls on Slovakia to abandon this ill-advised and discriminatory law and urges the United States Congress to press for reversal of these severe and senseless restrictions on the rights of minorities in Slovakia.