June 2, 2021

AMER FAKHOURY FOUNDATION ANSWERS INVITATION TO MEET AGAIN WITH U.S. SENATE, HOUSE LEADERS

Legislators Look to Include Fakhoury Daughters in

Hearings on Budget, Aid, and Human Rights Discussions

WASHINGTON, DC – At the request of Congressional leaders, Amer Fakhoury Foundation (AFF) returned to the US Capitol on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, to expand previous discussions with legislators about US citizen Amer Fakhoury’s illegal detainment and torture in Lebanon and resulting death.

As with AFF’s previous meetings with elected and State Department officials, the delegation included Fakhoury’s four daughters, who co-founded the foundation in his name.

In Washington, AFF met with Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). The delegation also met with the legislative staff of Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX1). Between their recent DC visits, AFF met remotely with Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, and the Lebanon desk of the US State Department. 

“Each time we share our father’s story, and those of people who continue to reach out to us from Lebanon, it resonates powerfully,” said Guila Fakhoury, President of AFF.

While officials continue to work on identifying pathways for US government agencies and AFF to partner  in delivering aid to those suffering under the Lebanese regime, AFF is currently delivering and expanding partnerships on the ground in Lebanon to meet the necessities of food, clean water, and medicine to those in need. 

Legislators have asked the Fakhoury’s to again return to Capitol Hill and participate in broader discussion groups and upcoming hearings. Those hearings are in planning but expected to include focus on Lebanese governmental and judicial corruption and human rights violations including illegal detention and torture.

Officials shared that, with AFF’s help, these sessions will drive reviews under the Leahy and Magnitsky Acts as Congress looks at matters of US budgeting for civilian and military aid to Lebanon, accountability, and potential sanctions against Lebanese officials believed culpable or corrupt.

“We look forward to our father’s voice, through us, being heard in Congress and pray these sessions to enable real change and justice for the Lebanese people,” Fakhoury concluded.