Human Rights Activists Criticize Obama's Egypt Response

[chimpymustgo]

by ARI SHAPIRO
February 3, 2011

President Obama has met with international human rights activists several times during his two years in office. He consistently assures them that he is on their side, though he may not always be able to show it.

Now the protests in Egypt have given the president an opportunity to back up his words with actions. But his response hasn't been earning high marks from the human rights community so far.

"We have a lot of excellent speeches, excellent words, excellent rhetoric through more than two years from this administration," says Egyptian activist Bahey El Din Hassan. "But on the ground we have seen nothing."

Hassan, who runs the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, is in Washington this week meeting with government officials about the situation in Egypt.

For two years, he has called on Obama to put the words supporting human rights into action.

When asked if the United States has passed or failed the test of Egypt, Hassan answers: "Definitely he hasn't passed this test, and waiting more and more it would be too late for U.S. to have a role to play."

-edit-

Much more at:

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/03/133444725/on-human-rights-obamas-all-talk-critics-say

[ProSense]

1. Yeah, he needs to be more like Bush

The White House rejects the view that it has failed on the ground when it comes to human rights.

<...>

"At some point, you have to decide who you're with, and every time it's been presented this way, the United States and President Obama have signed up with President Hosni Mubarak," he said.

Early on in his administration, Obama tried to rebuild diplomatic relationships around the world by making a break with what his administration saw as the paternalistic rhetoric of the Bush years. Tom Malinowski of Human Rights Watch believes he may have gone too far.

"For example," he says, "by stressing perhaps a bit too much that when it comes to democracy and human rights, the United States is not interested in imposing its values on anyone."

<...>

There were people in Iraq who wanted Bush to be Bush too.

[chimpymustgo]

2. This has nothing to do with Bush. But for lack of a better argument...

Obama talks the talk. Then shoots blanks.

[ProSense]

3. Really:

"Early on in his administration, Obama tried to rebuild diplomatic relationships around the world by making a break with what his administration saw as the paternalistic rhetoric of the Bush years. Tom Malinowski of Human Rights Watch believes he may have gone too far."

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Arkana]

7. Yeah, didn't you hear? John Bolton diplomacy is the cool, hip new thing

if you're a "true progressive".

[Arkana]

6. What the hell does this even mean?

[BklnDem75]

9. Does that mean send in the troops?

Your post isn't clear at all.

[vaberella]

18. That's the only thing I understood it to mean. n/t

[Drunken Irishman]

11. At this hour, it's that talk by Pres. Obama that will lead to Mubarak stepping down...

Our president has been in constant discussion trying to push Mubarak out of office.

The next option, of course, would be military force.

Is that what you're advocating?

[martymar64]

24. only to have the bloodthirsty thug Omar Sulieman take his place.

I'm willing to bet he'll be much worse than Mubarak. He was the head of the secret police and our go-to guy for extraordinary rendition (the US torturing people by proxy), a policy that Obama has embraced and continued.

Like I've said, Stalin out, Beria in.

[JuniperLea]

28. Oh, it's all over now? And we know this for fact?

Yeah, damn that Obama! Failed at being president of Egypt! What the fuck will he fuck up next?

[vaberella]

17. Thank you for advocating an invasion of Egypt by US forces.

Because that is exactly what you are promoting. That's the only way "on the ground" works. And yes, that is 100% about being Bush.

[JuniperLea]

29. +1

Well said!

I'm sick of seeing this violence "not like Bush" meme furthered on DU.

[ProSense]

5. 2009 Human Rights Report: Egypt

2009 Human Rights Report: Egypt

From Kerry's NYT op-ed: Allying Ourselves With the Next Egypt

<...>

Given the events of the past week, some are criticizing America’s past tolerance of the Egyptian regime. It is true that our public rhetoric did not always match our private concerns. But there also was a pragmatic understanding that our relationship benefited American foreign policy and promoted peace in the region. And make no mistake, a productive relationship with Egypt remains crucial for both us and the Middle East.

To that end, the United States must accompany our rhetoric with real assistance to the Egyptian people. For too long, financing Egypt’s military has dominated our alliance. The proof was seen over the weekend: tear gas canisters marked “Made in America” fired at protesters, United States-supplied F-16 jet fighters streaking over central Cairo. Congress and the Obama administration need to consider providing civilian assistance that would generate jobs and improve social conditions in Egypt, as well as guarantee that American military assistance is accomplishing its goals — just as we are trying to do with Pakistan through a five-year nonmilitary assistance package.

The awakening across the Arab world must bring new light to Washington, too. Our interests are not served by watching friendly governments collapse under the weight of the anger and frustrations of their own people, nor by transferring power to radical groups that would spread extremism. Instead, the best way for our stable allies to survive is to respond to the genuine political, legal and economic needs of their people. And the Obama administration is already working to address these needs.

At other historic turning points, we have not always chosen wisely. We built an important alliance with a free Philippines by supporting the people when they showed Ferdinand Marcos the door in 1986. But we continue to pay a horrible price for clinging too long to Iran’s shah. How we behave in this moment of challenge in Cairo is critical. It is vital that we stand with the people who share our values and hopes and who seek the universal goals of freedom, prosperity and peace.

<...>

This is what's needed.

It's fascinating that after all the calls to cut aid to countries, it seems that people want even more intervention (sounding more like they're calling for military intervention) in the wake of the Egyptian uprising.

[mix]

8. k&r nt

[Drunken Irishman]

10. And yet, at this hour, Pres. Obama is trying to bring an end to the Mubarak government...

But that's not good enough. Maybe he should fly down and kick Mubarak out of power himself?

Rambo style!

[JuniperLea]

27. But... but... but...

Obama is the president of Egypt, right?

:crazy:

[treestar]

12. What do they want?

Geez is there anyone who does not just pass on their responsibilities to Obama? :banghead:

[martymar64]

25. I just want him and the US Govt to stay the fuck out of it

It's Egypt's decision and Obama is not helping things by endorsing the head of the Egyptian Secret Police, Torturer -in-Chief Omar Sulieman.

Endorsing this thug will only turn the Egyptian people further against us, proving right the arguments of the Muslim Brotherhood.

We need to stay out of this and let the Egyptians work this out on their own. Our government and elected officials need to basically keep their traps shut, and that includes Obama and Kerry.

[jefferson_dem]

13. jefferson_dem criticizes Obama's lack of response to the dirty dishes in my sink...

and the leaves on my lawn...and my sock drawer that needs tidying up.

Geesh! C'mon POTUS. Get with it!

[vaberella]

19. You elitist...you have a lawn?!?! n/t

[Honeycombe8]

14. The country has to speak with one voice, and speak very carefully. We have interests there...

and we have no idea who will end up in charge, or what will happen. What if Obama comes out publicly strongly in favor of ousting Mubarak...and Mubarak stays on? Oops. Or what if the Muslim Brotherhood gets a strong foothold in the new government? Double oops. (they sure aren't in favor of individual freedoms, esp for women)

It's not our country. It's not up to us to determine WHO should rule Egypt. All we can do is express what we ALWAYS express about other countries...we support human rights and individual freedoms, and we want to see democracies and free elections in other countries. Other than that, we have to work with these other countries towards the same goals. They are allies. Egypt, especially, is critical to the Middle East and Israel.

I think the administration, from Clinton to Obama, is doing a good job. Not so sure about Biden, if I heard the quote right. But then, no one knows foreign affairs like Biden does.

Don't forget: Egyptians don't care about what's good for America. Right now they care mainly about their country, and rightly so. We have to keep in mind what's best for us, while helping other countries get democracies, when they go after it. It's called walking a fine line.

[Uzybone]

15. Why wont Obama start a "regime change"

I too tire of excellent speeches and diplomacy....time for some goddamn boots and machine guns...

[Number23]

20. Thank you. I'm sick of all of this patience and insight. I voted for BUSH'S THIRD TERM!!1

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[vaberella]

16. "on the ground we have seen nothing"...Ah, yes, a US invasion of Egypt is ideal.

What kind of human rights activist is this?! I mean seriously. And people who support this, but who are against the Afghan war and Iraq...need to shut up. Because it's basically the same shit. More military and more nonsense.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cali_Democrat]

22. I'm confused as to what specifically they want Obama to do

What actions do they want Obama to take?

[vaberella]

23. You won't get an answer. None of us know. So far Troop installation is the only one idea we got. n/t

[JuniperLea]

26. Yep... Obama fails as President of Egypt...

Oh, wait... :eyes:

[AtomicKitten]

30. too bad really

because dang he rocked the hat

[JuniperLea]

31. Dayum! He does indeed rock the hat!

:rofl:

Too bad he doesn't sand dance well.

[AtomicKitten]

32. --

[jeanpalmer]

33. Obama has failed on Egypt

He has failed to take a clear stand for freedom and democracy. All we've gotten from him is rhetorical mush and now a stamp of approval for the dictatorship. He should have announced a set of principles that the Egyptian government must adhere to immediately, e.g. freedom of the press and freedom of expression. He should have condemned the government's repression of its people. A transition period is not needed to establish basic principles and freedoms. He should have acknowledged what everyone understands -- the dictatorial and repressive nature of the government. And he should have cut off funding. This would not have been interfering in Egypts affairs, it would have been taking a stand for principle.

Instead he has waffled and ultimately has sided with the dictatorship by giving the torturer Sulieman the stamp of approval.