Recent news reports have highlighted the application of the Leahy Laws in response to human rights abuses committed by foreign security force units. In the context of the Gaza war, the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense have identified instances of violations of human rights by certain units. Despite these abuses, all units remain eligible for U.S. military aid, as clarified by Washington.
The Leahy Laws, also known as the Leahy amendments, were introduced to prevent the U.S. government from providing military assistance to foreign security force units that engage in human rights violations with impunity. Named after Senator Patrick Leahy, these laws require the State Department and Defense Department to vet foreign security forces for human rights abuses before providing them with military aid. If credible evidence of abuses is found, assistance is withheld from the implicated units. The Leahy Laws aim to promote accountability and respect for human rights in U.S. foreign policy and military assistance programs.