Help Protect Humanitarian Workers in War Zones: Support a Civilian-Led Investigation of the MSF Hospital

Bombing From: The Honorable Keith Ellison Date: 10/20/2015

Sign on Deadline: Friday, October 23rd COB

Dear Colleague,

We write to request your support on a letter to President Obama requesting cooperation on a civilian-led independent investigation of the Doctors Without Borders bombing. While we appreciate President Obama’s call for a Pentagon investigation, we believe an independent investigation is also necessary to ensure an impartial assessment and confidence in the findings of the investigation.

We were deeply disturbed to hear news that U.S. military forces were responsible for the bombing of a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kunduz,Afghanistan. Twelve humanitarians were killed and ten patients died in their hospital beds. Reports indicate that U.S. bombing of the hospital persisted, despite claims that Doctors Without Borders notified the government of its location and the ongoing attack on the hospital.

Everyone, especially the leaders of our military, understand the magnitude of this tragedy. Cooperating with a thorough investigation conducted by the United Nations or other independent body would send an important message to the world that the United States is unequivocally committed to the transparency and accountability required to ensure such a catastrophic event does not happen again.

We hope that you will support our call to ensure future military engagements keep humanitarian heroes, like the MSF staff, safe.

Letter language is below. If you have any questions please contact Lindsey Herbel in Mr. Ellison's office at Lindsey.Herbel@mail.house.gov or at x63991.

Sincerely,

Keith Ellison James P. McGovern

Barbara Lee Raúl M. Grijalva

Member of Congress

Member of Congress

Member of Congress

Member of Congress

October X, 2015

President Barack Obama

1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama,

We write to request a full and independent investigation to determine what led to the bombing of a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital in Afghanistan. We appreciate your willingness to reach out directly to MSF to apologize and your call for a Pentagon investigation. We believe a civilian-led independent investigation is also necessary to ensure an impartial assessment and confidence in the findings of the investigation.

We are deeply disturbed by the news that U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan destroyed the MSF trauma hospital in Kunduz, killing 12 humanitarian aid workers and 10 of their patients lying in their beds, including three children. The repeated airstrikes on the hospital also injured 37 civilians, including 19 MSF staff members.

Cooperating with a thorough investigation conducted by the United Nations or other independent body would send an important message to the world that the United States is unequivocally committed to the

transparency and accountability required to ensure such a catastrophic event does not happen again.

Under international law, hospitals in conflict zones are protected spaces. An independent investigation will help ensure future military engagements keep humanitarian heroes, like the MSF staff, safe.

Your leadership and statements by our top military officials communicates the sentiment of many who are saddened by this tragedy: deep regret and a desire to ensure it never happens again. We look forward to working with you to ensure that the United States prioritizes protection of civilians in its conduct of military operations around the world.

Sincerely,