1082 Days of Silence
Today marks 1082 days since Amer Fakhoury, a U.S. citizen, passed away on August 17, 2020. As we approach his third memorial, his story remains largely untold, his voice unheard, and the grave injustice he faced unaddressed. This post is a solemn tribute to Fakhoury and a critical reflection on the legal mechanisms, specifically the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, that have been disappointingly ineffective in holding individuals and governments accountable for illegal detentions.
Amer Fakhoury's experience is not an isolated case. It's a painful reminder of the tragic outcomes that can result from inadequate legal and diplomatic responses to cases of illegal detention. Despite the passage of over a thousand days since his death, the call for justice in his case remains largely unheeded.
The Levinson Act, named after Robert Levinson, the longest-held hostage in U.S. history, carries an explicit promise: those involved in illegal detentions will be held responsible. But as we remember Fakhoury today, we must question the effectiveness of this legislation.
It is distressing to note that despite the clear mandate of the Levinson Act, there has been a noticeable lack of enforcement and, as a result, a glaring absence of accountability. This lack of accountability serves only to embolden those who would subject American citizens to illegal detention, seemingly without fear of reprisal.
The deafening silence around Fakhoury's case and the failure to activate the mechanisms of the Levinson Act serve as stark reminders that it's not enough to have legislation - it must be vigorously enforced. We owe it to Amer Fakhoury and all those who have endured similar ordeals to ensure that the law is not just a piece of paper but a powerful tool for justice.
As we pause today to remember Amer Fakhoury, let's ensure that his story doesn't fade into the annals of forgotten history. Let's renew our commitment to demanding the enforcement of the Levinson Act and holding those who participate in the illegal detention of American citizens accountable. Let's make sure that the promise of the Levinson Act is fulfilled, not just in words, but in actions that deliver justice.