Tell the Pentagon: "Don't Punish Marine Who Tried to Stop Child Sex Abuse"

This is sickening. The New York Times reports that American soldiers and Marines were instructed not to intervene when allied Afghan commanders sexually abused children — and that military officials are working to boot a marine who transmitted information to fellow soldiers that could have prevented such abuse in an unsecure manner.

As a former Marine who served in Iraq, I am appalled by the Pentagon's treatment of Major Jason Brezler. No soldier should be forcibly discharged for trying to prevent the sexual abuse of children.

According to The Times, Major Brezler and a colleague convinced local police to arrest Afghan police commander Sarwar Jan in 2010 for corruption, supporting the Taliban and child abduction.

When Jan was placed at another post two years later, Major Brezler attempted to warn US personnel about the Afghan commander's record. Two weeks after arriving, one of Jan's "large entourage of 'tea boys' — domestic servants who are sometimes pressed into sexual slavery" grabbed a rifle and shot several US soldiers.

As the father of one of the slain marines told The Times:

"As far as the young boys are concerned, the Marines are allowing it to happen and so they're guilty by association."

Major Brezler should be commended — not punished — for sounding a warning about a corrupt and predatory Afghan commander. Please sign my petition right now and urge Defense Secretary Ashton Carter to immediately halt discharge proceedings against Major Brezler and review how non-intervention may make our military personnel complicit in the abuse of children.
Secretary Carter:

As someone who believes in human rights and protecting children from sexual abuse, I was appalled to learn that some American soldiers and Marines may have been instructed not to intervene when they learned of allied Afghan commanders sexually abusing children.

I am particularly disturbed that the military has chosen to punish Marine Major Jason Brezler for attempting to warn another post of the dangers posed by an allied Afghan commander and known criminal.

[Your comments will be added here]

I urge you to immediately halt discharge proceedings against Major Brezler and review how non-intervention may make our military personnel complicit in the abuse of children.

Sincerely,

[Your name]
Update #28 years ago
Thanks to you and thousands of justice-minded Care2 members, Major Jason Brezler has been granted an 8-month reprieve from being cast out of the Marine Corps Reserve and the military has launched a special investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of Afghan children by US allies. Major Brezler was to be discharged for actions he took to warn of such abuse. Please share this petition for Major Brezler on Facebook to help save his career.
Update #18 years ago
Thank you for speaking out for Major Jason Brezler, a marine reservist who tried to warn soldiers of an imminent threat posed by an Afghan commander. Unfortunately, Navy officials yesterday upheld a decision to force Major Brezler out of the service for his handling of classified materials. This fight isn't over yet. We can still appeal to Defense Sec. Carter to intervene. To help increase pressure on the secretary, share this petition on Facebook.
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