Rep. Carson Reintroduces the Justice for Shireen Act

WASHINGTON, DC-Congressman André Carson (IN-07) has reintroduced the Justice for Shireen Act, requiring an independent investigation and report to Congress on the killing of American-Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

Ms. Abu Akleh was killed on May 11, 2022, while wearing a clearly marked press vest and reporting on a military raid taking place in the occupied city of Jenin. Later that month, Rep. Carson led a letter signed by 58 Members of Congress to the FBI and State Department calling for an independent investigation. A later investigation by the Israeli government confirmed that an Israeli soldier shot Ms. Abu Akleh in her line of duty as an American journalist. Unfortunately, questions remain unanswered, with no accountability.

Reports in 2022 indicate the FBI opened an investigation into this killing, but no confirmation or additional information has been released. Since 2023, more than 200 journalistsand media workers have been killed in Palestine. The Justice for Shireen Act seeks answers to what happened before, during, and after the killing. This bill would also identify any U.S. defense materials or services involved in Ms. Abu Akleh's death.

"The Trump administration's attacks on free speech and journalism are disturbing threats to our country," said Rep. Carson. "Congress has a duty to protect Americans reporting at home and abroad, preserving the free speech our country was founded on - and Shireen's family deserves answers, justice, and accountability. We must also ensure that U.S. weapons, equipment, or military services were not used to kill Americans on foreign soil. Taxpayers should not be paying for violations of human rights."

"The U.S. government's failure to press for accountability in the killing of its own citizen, Shireen Abu Akleh, is a defenseless abdication of the government's most basic responsibility," said Gypsy Guillen Kaiser, Chief Global Affairs Officer of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). "This failure is particularly appalling given that Abu Akleh was killed by a close U.S. ally that receives substantial U.S. taxpayer-funded military assistance. It is both right and necessary for Members of Congress to continue demanding accountability in her case, not only to honor the dignity of Shireen Abu Akleh's life, but also to reaffirm that silence in the face of impunity is unacceptable. Justice must be pursued, no matter how long it takes."

"Shireen Abu Akleh dedicated her life to uplifting the voices of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, and her killing remains a profound and unresolved injustice," said Hassan El-Tayyab, Legislative Director for Middle East Policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. "The re-introduction of the Justice for Shireen Act marks a critical step toward accountability, and members of the House and Senate must support this legislation and work to see it signed into law. As we honor Shireen's unwavering commitment to truth and press freedom, Congress and the Administration must act to prevent future violations of human rights and attacks on journalists."

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