Pentagon Seeks Exemption from Human Rights Restrictions

The Bush administration is asking Congress to approve a series of new, permanent programs that could greatly increase U.S. military aid to foreign countries and exempt that aid from restrictions intended to make sure the U.S. is not involved in human rights abuses.

The cornerstone of this effort is a pilot program begun in 2006 known as “section 1206”. This program currently permits the U.S. military to spend up to $300 million each year to train and equip foreign military forces. Under this program, the Pentagon determines which countries will receive military aid in consultation with the State Department and after
prior notice to Congress. The stated purpose of the program is to allow the recipient country to “conduct counter terrorist operations or participate in or support military and stability operations.”

Block New “1206” Program

Since the passage of the Foreign Assistance Act in 1961, both civilian and military aid programs have been led by the State Department. Congress holds hearings on the foreign aid budget request and specifies restrictions on aid to particular countries via the annual appropriations law, usually in response to credible allegations of serious human rights violations, nuclear proliferation, or military coup.

In recent years, the Pentagon has successfully pressed for changes in law to allow the U.S. military to determine which countries should get weapons and training. At least nine new programs—including section 1206—have been established in the laws funding Pentagon operations.

The net result is the creation of a parallel military aid system—one that is much less transparent and much less prone to oversight (read: interference) by Congress and the public. These programs in the military bills have already resulted in a doubling of overall U.S. military aid to other countries.

The Pentagon is now asking Congress to grant permanent authority for the section 1206 program. Doing so would mean that program would not have to be renewed every year or two, giving Congress much less ability to watch over and end the program if it saw problems. The military also wants to increase the amount of aid it is authorized to provide in this program to $750 million a year and have the ability to waive human rights or other restrictions. At the present time, no 1206 aid may be given to a country that is prohibited from receiving similar aid in any U.S. law.

ACT NOW. We at FCNL will be working to block the Pentagon's new military aid program. Find out more.