August, 18 2009, 10:46am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Brenda Bowser Soder
bowsersoderb@humanrightsfirst.org
O -202/370-3323, C – 301/906-4460
Today's Obama, Mubarak Meeting Must Prioritize Human Rights, Democracy in Egypt
WASHINGTON
As President Barack Obama and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak meet
today, Human Rights First International Policy Advisor Neil Hicks
issued the following statement calling on the two leaders to prioritize
the promotion of human rights and democracy in Egypt:
"Today's meeting is a unique opportunity for President Obama to
start putting into practice the promises he made during his June speech
in Cairo. Fast approaching elections in Egypt in 2010 and 2011 will
provide a test of Egypt's commitment to political reform and improved
respect for human rights. President Obama should seek assurances from
President Mubarak that there will be credible independent supervision
of the elections and that the basic rights of independent civil society
groups wishing to monitor and comment on the elections will be upheld.
An Egypt that is developing strong democratic institutions and building
respect for the rule of law will be a force for peace and stability in
the region."
Read Human Rights First's August 13th Letter to the Obama Administration
Human Rights First is a non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organization based in New York and Washington D.C. Human Rights First believes that building respect for human rights and the rule of law will help ensure the dignity to which every individual is entitled and will stem tyranny, extremism, intolerance, and violence.
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