Relations with Latin America

Regarding “U.S. must reassess OAS over its appalling agenda” (Page A17, Wednesday), U.S. Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Ted Cruz of Texas correctly identify the double-standard at the heart of American human rights policy: We do not hold our allies and other countries to the same standards by which we judge ourselves. However, the solution is not, as the senators claim, to weaken our commitment to human rights everywhere. It is to strengthen our resolve to protect them here at home.

Too often, the U.S. has selectively ignored injustices abroad or even committed serious human rights violations at home in the name of national security or economic prosperity. International institutions have provided an essential forum for human rights violations, including many committed against U.S. citizens, to be heard and condemned. Giving up on protecting human rights for Americans because it’s difficult is not what makes America great.

Moreover, the senators mischaracterize the purpose of the Organization of American States and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, as well as the United States’ historical engagement. While the senators cherry-pick from Chapter II of the OAS Charter, they seemingly read past Article 1, which in no unclear terms states as a primary goal of the institution “to achieve an order of peace and justice” among other laudable ambitions. Human rights have always been central to the OAS and IACHR, and central to U.S. engagement with both during Republican and Democratic administrations.

As Cruz and Lee suggest, the work to refocus U.S. engagement with international organizations “can and should start in our own backyard.” However, that must involve robust protection of human rights so that we may eliminate any doublestandard and serve as a credible international model. Protecting and defending human rights everywhere are what have and will continue to make America great.