June 14, 2023

Amer Foundation Applauds Republican Study Committee's Call for Accountability in Lebanon

The foundation celebrates the recognition of Amer Fakhoury's case and the push for accountability in Lebanon's government and military aid.

Washington, DC.- The Amer Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting human rights and accountability, commends the Republican Study Committee (RSC) for its recent release of a budget proposal that addresses the unlawful detention and torture of a U.S. citizen in Lebanon. The RSC acknowledged Amer Fakhoury, who faced illegal detention and torture in Lebanon before his death shortly after being released from prison.

The RSC budget proposal emphasizes the need to counter Iran's influence in the region by preventing U.S. aid from supporting regimes that act as Iranian proxies in the Middle East, such as the current Lebanese government. The proposal notes that the terrorist group Hezbollah has taken control of Lebanon's government, establishing a monopoly on force and enabling the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to participate in the detention and torture of U.S. citizens.

To address this issue, the RSC budget recommends discontinuing aid to the LAF and imposing sanctions on current and former Lebanese security officials involved in the detention and torture of U.S. citizens. This would include high-ranking officials like Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, the former head of the Lebanese General Security Directorate.

Earlier in 2023, the U.S. Administration initiated a program to provide direct salary payments to the LAF and Internal Security Forces (ISF), totaling $72 million. These funds ultimately serve as a slush fund in a country where Hezbollah's economic presence is widespread.

The Amer Foundation has been advocating for recognition of Amer Fakhoury's plight, and the RSC budget proposal represents a significant step toward holding those responsible for his unlawful detention and torture accountable. The foundation will continue to push for justice and increased transparency in the distribution of U.S. aid to Lebanon and other countries in the region.

"We are encouraged by the Republican Study Committee's commitment to accountability and justice in Lebanon. This is the first of many steps towards ensuring that no other American citizen suffers the same fate as Amer Fakhoury," said Macy Fakhoury a representative of the Amer Foundation.

For more information about the Amer Foundation and its ongoing work to promote human rights and accountability, visit www.amerfoundation.org or contact team@fakhouryfoundation.org 

**About the Amer Foundation**

The Amer Foundation is a non-profit organization established in memory of Amer Fakhoury, a U.S. citizen who faced illegal detention and torture in Lebanon. The foundation is committed to promoting human rights, accountability, and justice for those who suffer similar injustices. Through advocacy efforts and public awareness campaigns, the Amer Foundation seeks to create a world where every individual's rights are protected and respected.