President Obama: Be on the Right Side of History in Egypt and Bahrain! from Human Rights First 25JAN12

THE American government has to make it clear to the government in Bahrain and the transitional government in Egypt that they must honor and respect the human rights of their citizens. Inaction, and the approval of material exported to these countries to be used against their own citizens will result in long term harm to relations. Please click the link and send a message to Pres Obama to stand on the side of freedom, democracy and human rights in Egypt and Bahrain. From Human Rights First......

President Obama asserted in last night's State of the Union address that the United States is a global leader. He said that the United States "will stand for the rights and dignity of all human beings" and that it "will support policies that lead to strong and stable democracies...because tyranny is no match for liberty." We agree. But as the people of Egypt build a new government and as human rights defenders and NGO's in Bahrain call for democratic reforms, tyranny continues. Tell President Obama to support in word and deed democracy and human rights in Egypt and Bahrain! We've seen a positive impact when the United States leads and it must do so more concretely in the Middle East. Last weekend, President Obama called Egyptian Field Marshal Tantawi to condemn SCAF's recent violence against peaceful protesters and raids in NGO's. He reminded him that an active civil society and respect for human rights are foundations for a stable democracy. We need more of this leadership. In Bahrain, despite recommendations by its own Independent Commission of Inquiry, the monarchy continues to attack, harass, and detain human rights defenders who are calling for democratic reforms. Medics and peaceful protesters continue to receive unfair sentences in sham trials and international NGO's—including Human Rights First—are denied entry to document abuses. Yet the United States remains silent on these abuses. To lead in the Middle East, President Obama must give unequivocal support for human rights and democracy in Egypt and Bahrain. He must openly criticize attacks against NGO's and human rights defenders in the region. Tell President Obama to call for an effective transition to civilian rule in Egypt and an end to violence against peaceful protesters in Bahrain! Sincerely, Neil Hicks Human Rights First Human Rights First is an independent American advocacy organization that challenges our country to live up to its ideals. We press American institutions to respect human rights and the rule of law. When they don't, we step in to demand accountability and justice. Around the world, we work in places where we can harness American influence to secure core freedoms.

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