President Obama: Push for a Real National Dialogue in Bahrain! 15JUL11

THE American government has a moral responsibility to support the nonviolent protesters in Bahrain in their struggle for freedom, democracy and human rights. The violence by the Bahrani government against their citizens, the killing, mass arrest, torture, sham trials and imprisonment in inhumane conditions must end, as must the U.S. government support through our military presence in Bahrain. Failure to recognize and address the legitimate issues of the peaceful opposition should result in a withdrawing of the US Navy's 5th fleet operations from Bahrain. We are hypocritical in our foreign policy by condemning and taking action against Libya and Syria for brutally repressing revolutions while implicitly supporting the government of Bahrain through our military presence. Please sign this petition from Human Rights First to Pres Obama calling on the US govt to pressure the govt of Bahrain to end their violent crackdown on the nonviolent opposition.

President Obama: Push for a Real National Dialogue in Bahrain Despite an ongoing national dialogue between the Bahraini government and some parts of civil society, the government continues to intimidate, torture, and detain human rights defenders, and shoot at civilians. The United States has taken many positive steps in addressing human rights violations committed by the Bahraini government, which hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, but more needs to be done as the crackdown on pro-democracy activists and their supporters continues. Ask President Obama to take a tougher stance with the Bahraini government and publicly push for a national dialogue that can lead toward reconciliation. Human Rights First went to Bahrain and spoke with a number of human rights defenders, torture survivors and recently released detainees. In a report released yesterday, we found that the situation on the ground remains dire and dangerous for human rights defenders and civilians. For a real national dialogue to occur, President Obama should insist upon the following benchmarks: End the continuing crackdown on pro-democracy activists and supporters and shootings at unarmed civilians, as witnessed by Human Rights First staff; End arbitrary detentions, torture and mistreatment of detainees; End sectarian violence and discrimination against the Shi’a community; Release of peaceful protestors from jail and drop all charges pending against them; and An end to the expulsion of students. Ask President Obama to support real reconciliation in Bahrain by pushing for an end to the continuing crackdown and for a dialogue that addresses concerns by the Bahraini people. The continuing crackdown, growing sectarian divide and the puppet show of a national dialogue are preventing real reconciliation from occurring in Bahrain. People continue to live in fear of violence, detention and torture. Thank you for taking action! Sincerely, Quinn O'Keefe Senior Associate, Human Rights Defenders