The Inside Press

Today, Congressmen Mondaire Jones (D-NY) and Ted Deutch (D-FL) led 70 of their House colleagues in a letter to President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken urging them to do everything in their power to protect the rights and safety of Ukrainians who may be particularly vulnerable. Specifically, the lawmakers are calling on the Biden Administration to dedicate sufficient resources and attention to Ukrainian members of marginalized groups that have historically faced violence and persecution under Russian rule and occupation, including Jews and LGBTQI+ people.

“As you know, Ukrainian Jews experienced horrific waves of violence and persecution under Russian and Soviet rule and Nazi German occupation in the 20th century,” the lawmakers wrote. “In recent months, Russia’s aggressive rhetoric raised fears among members of Ukraine’s Jewish community who still have memories of the antisemitic violence of the last century.  On February 23, Vladimir Putin evoked the term “denazification” to explain his invasion of Ukraine–a nation led by a Jewish President–stating that the purpose of Russian military operations is to protect people facing humiliation and genocide perpetrated by Ukrainian leadership.  As the Anti-Defamation League points out, Russia has instrumentalized antisemitism to influence domestic and foreign public opinion in its conflict with Ukraine.  This politicization of antisemitism can severely harm Jewish communities. Moreover, the dishonest use of the language of “denazification” as pretext, and the shocking March 1 attack on the Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial, indicate that, in reality, Russia’s invasion poses significant risk to Ukrainian Jews.”

In their letter, the lawmakers ask the Biden Administration to: 

• Ensure close and continued dialogue with organizations that serve Ukrainian members of marginalized groups, including religious minorities and LGBTQI+ people;
• Fund and support shelters to serve vulnerable populations that face particular risk at the hands of Russian forces; 
• Ensure U.S. Embassies in Eastern Europe are equipped to provide immediate assistance to those fleeing the Russian war in Ukraine; and
• Provide assistance for transgender Ukrainian individuals whose visible gender does not match their documents as they cross checkpoints and international boundaries. 

“Additionally, we have received reports that highlight the extreme risks LGBTQI+ Ukrainians face at the hands of Russian forces,” the lawmakers continued. “As you know, LGBTQI+ people widely face discrimination and persecution in Russia. In Chechnya, reports have documented what has been described as a large-scale ‘anti-gay purge’ by Russian security forces.  When the killings of gay men began in Chechnya in 2017, the Trump Administration was slow to respond and failed to work with organizations that resettle LGBTQI+ people who faced danger. We cannot repeat the previous administration’s mistakes. Russia’s military presence in Ukraine endangers the lives of LGBTQI+ Ukrainians and reverses the progress that country has made toward equality.”

As Representatives for two of the largest Jewish communities in the country, Reps. Jones and Deutch have been strong advocates for the global Jewish community and have been leaders in the fight against antisemitism. Most recently, Rep. Jones co-led a letter, signed by Rep. Deutch, calling on House Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro to increase funding for FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program after the horrific antisemitic attack on Congregation Beth Shalom in Colleyville, Texas. Rep. Deutch leads the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, on which Rep. Jones also serves, and sits on the Interparliamentary Task Force on Online Antisemitism.

As the first openly gay, Black member of Congress and Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, Rep. Jones has also fought to affirm LGBTQI+ justice, from voting to pass the Equality Act in the House, including his own bill, the Juror-Nondiscrimination Act, to co-leading the Protecting LGBTQ+ Youth Act. And as a Vice Chair of the Equality Caucus, Chair of the LGBTQ Aging Issues Task Force, and a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. Deutch has been a consistent advocate for the LGBTQI+ community and global human rights.

The letter can be found here and below.

Dear President Biden and Secretary Blinken,

We write to express our deep concern for the safety of the Ukrainian people following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. At this critical time, we thank you for your strong leadership in uniting the United States and our allies against Vladimir Putin’s unjust war. As we take action to aid Ukraine in its defense, we ask that you do all you can to protect the rights and safety of Ukrainians who may be particularly vulnerable. Specifically, we urge you to dedicate sufficient resources and attention to Ukrainian members of marginalized groups that have historically faced violence and persecution under Russian rule and occupation. 

The recently adopted U.S.-Ukraine Charter on Strategic Partnership confirms the United States’ and Ukraine’s shared dedication to advancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as “fighting racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and discrimination, including against Roma and members of the LGBTQI+ communities.”  Now that Russia has launched an unjust war against Ukraine, it is critical to uphold these principles and work with our partners to protect the rights and safety of marginalized Ukrainians. Among the most vulnerable are historically persecuted religious minorities and LGBTQI+ people. 

As you know, Ukrainian Jews experienced horrific waves of violence and persecution under Russian and Soviet rule and Nazi German occupation in the 20th century. In recent months, Russia’s aggressive rhetoric raised fears among members of Ukraine’s Jewish community who still have memories of the antisemitic violence of the last century.  On February 23, Vladimir Putin evoked the term “denazification” to explain his invasion of Ukraine–a nation led by a Jewish President–stating that the purpose of Russian military operations is to protect people facing humiliation and genocide perpetrated by Ukrainian leadership.  As the Anti-Defamation League points out, Russia has instrumentalized antisemitism to influence domestic and foreign public opinion in its conflict with Ukraine.  This politicization of antisemitism can severely harm Jewish communities. Moreover, the dishonest use of the language of “denazification” as pretext, and the shocking March 1 attack on the Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial, indicate that, in reality, Russia’s invasion poses significant risk to Ukrainian Jews.

Additionally, we have received reports that highlight the extreme risks LGBTQI+ Ukrainians face at the hands of Russian forces. As you know, LGBTQI+ people widely face discrimination and persecution in Russia. In Chechnya, reports have documented what has been described as a large-scale “anti-gay purge” by Russian security forces.  When the killings of gay men began in Chechnya in 2017, the Trump Administration was slow to respond and failed to work with organizations that resettle LGBTQI+ people who faced danger. We cannot repeat the previous administration’s mistakes. Russia’s military presence in Ukraine endangers the lives of LGBTQI+ Ukrainians and reverses the progress that country has made toward equality.

For these reasons, we urge you to:

• Ensure close and continued dialogue with organizations that serve Ukrainian members of marginalized groups, including religious minorities and LGBTQI+ people;
• Fund and support shelters to serve vulnerable populations that face particular risk at the hands of Russian forces; 
• Ensure U.S. Embassies in Eastern Europe are equipped to provide immediate assistance to those fleeing the Russian war in Ukraine; and
• Provide assistance for transgender Ukrainian individuals whose visible gender does not match their documents as they cross checkpoints and international boundaries. 

Russian forces have demonstrated a lack of respect for international law and human rights during military operations in recent years. As Russia continues its unjust attack on Ukraine, we urge you to do all you can to protect Ukrainians who are especially at-risk in this conflict.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this urgent matter. 

Editor’s Note: This post is info received from the Office of Congressman Mondaire Jones.