PRES OBAMA, DON'T BLOW IT ON HUMAN RIGHTS 9NOV12

PRESIDENT OBAMA has the mandate to live up to his campaign promise to make human rights a priority in his administration. He must close Gitmo, end indefinite detention, end unlawful killings with drones, guarantee a comprehensive arms trade treaty and make sure the policy of the American government is to honor and uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Click the link to join Amnesty International's call to action and send a message to Pres Obama.....




"Don't blow it." That's what I want to say to President Obama.

This is the moment that will define the future of the United States' commitment on human rights. President Obama's second term will determine whether the post 9/11 stains on the United States' human rights record are an anomaly or the "new normal."

President Obama promised to support and advance human rights. Let's hold him to it.

When he was first elected in 2008, President Obama promised a new dawn of American leadership. As a new president, he acknowledged that the protection of human rights cannot rest on exhortation alone.

He offered the promise of an administration that would respect human rights -- closing the Guantánamo prison, bringing detention practices in line with international law, repudiating secrecy and ensuring that human rights weren't traded away in the name of national security.

It really isn't a choice for the President to make. Under international law, the U.S. government is obligated to respect, protect and fulfill human rights, and ensure accountability for violations of those rights.

Tell President Obama to live up to his promises and uphold human rights.

The prison at Guantánamo, indefinite detention, unfair trials, unlawful killings with drones and other human rights violations committed by the U.S government undermine the rule of law in the U.S. and around the world. These abuses also create a climate in which other countries can point to a double-standard to justify their own human rights abuses with the refrain, 'if the U.S. government does that, why shouldn't we?'

By taking bold steps to restore respect for human rights President Obama can help ensure justice, security and accountability here in the U.S. and around the world. That's why he must take three bold actions immediately:

• Close the prison at Guantánamo
• Stop unlawful killing with drones
• Ensure the UN adopts a strong Arms Trade Treaty

President Obama has been given a second chance to keep his promises on human rights. Please stand with us today and call on the president to live up to those promises.

Thank you for everything you do to protect and advance human rights.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Nossel Executive Director Amnesty International USA