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Human rights call to President-elect Obama

5 November 2008, 04:55PM

Portrait photo of US President-elect Barack Obama

Amnesty International urges US President-elect Barack Obama to show true leadership by making human rights central to his new administration.

The organisation is calling on the new government to take concrete steps in its first 100 days that would show genuine commitment to bring the USA into line with its international obligations.

Amnesty International's "checklist" for the new President calls upon the new administration to:

  • announce a plan and date for the closure of the detention centre at Guantánamo,
  • issue an executive order to ban torture and other ill-treatment, as defined under international law and applicable to all US agents , and
  • ensure the setting up of an independent commission to investigate abuses committed by the USA in its "war on terror".

"President-elect Barack Obama must make a clean break from the US government's detention policies and practices adopted by the previous administration. Millions of people, politicians and religious leaders in the United States and across the world are demanding these changes. Now is the time to make them happen," says Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

"President-elect Barack Obama must reverse the damage done at home and abroad by the US government's unlawful actions in the name of national security," says Larry Cox, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA. "The US Government's policies during the past eight years have violated the basic rights of thousands of individuals, damaged the United States' credibility on human rights issues and strained diplomatic relations. With the entire world watching, and the election of a new President and Congress, it's time to commit the United States to its international obligations and ensure that the rule of law will be the foundation for its policies."

Amnesty International is also urging President-elect Barack Obama to push forward policies that will advance internationally recognised human rights. The US government should also provide principled leadership in stopping mass atrocities against civilians in places such as Darfur , in ending the continued violence against women and girls in the USA and abroad, supporting human rights defenders and the international system of justice with the International Criminal Court at its heart.

"Human rights must be an integral aspect of every policy, action and issue embarked on by President-elect Barack Obama and his administration," says Larry Cox. "Although the current economic circumstances will dominate much of the public debate and international agenda, a strong and vigilant human rights agenda must also be a priority. The importance of reversing the legacy of the US as a human rights abuser cannot be overstated."

"The new Administration must focus on righting some of the wrongs of the Bush Administration and restoring the US as a human rights champion at home and abroad," says Irene Khan.

During the first 100 days of the new administration, Amnesty International will be mobilising its members and supporters in the USA and around the world to call on the new US President and Congress to take immediate steps to demonstrate a commitment to human rights and urgently address pressing issues at home and abroad.

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These features are taken from our Human Rights Defender magazine - subscribe free now

Comments

Comments are submitted by members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Amnesty International Australia. If you find a comment objectionable please contact the web editor.

1

Kristen Chisholm
6 November 2008, 05:32PM Notify the web editor

Congratulations to Pres elect Obama.Wonderful.Please keep up the momentum and ensure that human rights receive top priority in the new Administration. It is vital for the US to regain its credibility

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