EGYPT: Obama could face constraints on Middle East human rights
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Human rights and democracy activists across the Middle East are hoping President-elect Barack Obama pressures American allies in the region, such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, to loosen their politically repressive regimes.
There is a disturbing pattern across the Middle East to silence, imprison and torture activists who are calling for democratic reforms and wider civil liberties.
Attacks on freedom of expression have accelerated in recent years as dissidents have increasingly turned to cyberspace to organize and get their messages out.
Obama’s victory is viewed in the Middle East as the ultimate expression of possibility for those once marginalized and discriminated against.
Even before he was elected, Obama resonated with the region’s activists.
Jailed Egyptian opposition leader Ayman Nour sent a letter to Obama in August detailing how he was arrested and jailed by the government of President Hosni Mubarak.
But as a story in the Los Angeles Times reports today, the new American president will face constraints similar to those of his predecessor.
Egypt, for example, is a U.S. ally for its peace with Israel and diplomatic role in the Arab world. But the government is frequently cited by human rights organizations for its harsh treatment of political opponents.
There are other problems. The Bush administration pressed for democratic reform in the region but grew concerned when the Islamic militant group Hamas won Palestinian elections, and the Muslim Brotherhood captured 20% of seats in the Egyptian Parliament.
Washington feared that such organizations would radicalize the region against U.S. interests. Many in the Middle East, however, considered that sentiment hypocrisy.
The U.S. advocates democracy, but is also wary of disturbing stability in a region that provides much of the world’s oil and energy.
-- Jeffrey Fleishman in Cairo
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