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
Obamas 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
Member of
Congress

James P.
McGovern
Member of
Congress

Barbara Lee

Ral M. Grijalva

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,