Center For Constitutional Rights Files Suit against United States for Failure To Prevent Genocide in Gaza
On November 13, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) filed a federal lawsuit, Defense for Children International—Palestine, et al. v. . Joseph Biden, et al., on behalf of Palestinian human rights organizations and Palestinians in Gaza and the U.S. Plaintiffs are suing President Biden, Secretary of State Blinken, and Defense Secretary Austin for their failure to prevent genocide and seek Emergency Order to stop Military and Diplomatic Support for Israeli Government’s Assault on Gaza.
Biden, Blinken, and Austin, as outlined in the complaint, are sued in their official capacity for failing to prevent an unfolding genocide where they have influence over the State of Israel to do so, and directly abetting its development with weapons, funds, and diplomatic cover, in breach of duties enshrined in the Genocide Convention and customary international law.
CCR has long challenged impunity for the Israeli government’s violations of international law related to its illegal occupation of Palestine and the U.S. support that enables Israel's violations. In response to the Israeli govenrment's actions after October 7, CCR joined other experts and legal organizations in issuing urgent warnings to the U.S. of the unfolding genocide, yet the U.S. has stated that it is not actively evaluating whether or not a genocide is occuring. Consequently, CCR has provided legal and factual documentation to highlight the United States’ failure to uphold its legal obligation to prevent Israeli government's genocide, and its role in advancing the genocide.
CCR filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on November 16, 2023. The government filed a motion to dismiss on December 8, 2023.
About CCR:
The Center for Constitutional Rights works with communities under threat to fight for justice and liberation through litigation, advocacy, and strategic communications. Since 1966, the Center for Constitutional Rights has taken on oppressive systems of power, including structural racism, gender oppression, economic inequity, and governmental overreach. Learn more at ccrjustice.org.
CCR’s Partnership with STARR
In 2021, a Strategic Trans Alliance for Radical Reform in partnership with CCR and the Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic won a historic settlement securing ground breaking reforms to the New York City Homeless Shelter System for disabled and trans New Yorkers via Lopez v. NYC Department of Homeless Services.
Under the settlement, the City agreed to establish shelter units that serve and affirm trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan; provide shelter staff (including contractors) training on the rights of TGNC people; require that shelter staff (including contractors) follow a non-discrimination policy; and strengthen the complaint investigation process when shelter residents allege anti-trans discrimination or harassment.
For more information and updates on the Gaza Genocide Case, visit: https://ccrjustice.org/stop-the-genocide and www.instagram.com/CCRjustice