Human Rights First Condemns Gov. Abbott’s Unlawful Attack on America’s Largest Muslim Civil-Rights Organization

Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First roundly condemns Governor Abbott’s recent designation of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a foreign terrorist organization. Governor Abbott has no authority to declare any American institution a terrorist group, nor does he have any cause for such a proclamation. 

CAIR is a duly registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and our nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. The Governor’s unfounded accusations that CAIR seeks to “forcibly impose Sharia Law” follows growing anti-Muslim and anti-democratic rhetoric grounded in mounting efforts to cast immigrants and communities of color in a threatening light.  This act by the Governor also reflects the politically motivated targeting of the nonprofit sector by the Trump administration.

“Governor Abbott has made no attempt to hide his anti-Muslim and anti-democracy agenda with this action,” said Associate Director of Democracy Protection, Hanah Stiverson. “His disregard for democratic norms and constitutional rights is horrifying and is yet another example of the dangerous misuse of this designation by this administration and its loyalists.”

Human Rights First President and CEO Uzra Zeya added, “Governor Abbott’s attempted ban on a renowned non-profit champion for religious freedom and equality should alarm all Americans. But sadly, his actions fit a pattern of anti-Muslim actions by President Trump and his allies, from the Trump Travel Ban 2.0 to the vilification of patriotic Muslim-American public servants.  The Governor’s actions are as unlawful as they are un-American.”  

Human Rights First urges congressional leaders and other elected officials to speak out against this blatant political attack and push back against any federal actions that support these efforts.