NGOs Urge Obama to Push for Human Rights Reforms in Kenya, Ethiopia

July 23, 2015 Human Rights

Fourteen NGOs and experts called on Barack Obama to help protect human rights in Kenya and Ethiopia.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — President Barack Obama should call for much needed human rights reforms in Kenya and Ethiopia in discussions with officials of the two countries during his trip there this week, fourteen nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and individual experts said in a letter to the President on Wednesday.

“We urge you to clearly articulate that the United States expects its partners to support an environment where independent organizations and media outlets can thrive, and security forces undertake operations that protect — rather than abuse-their citizens,” the letter read.

The NGOs stated that Kenya and Ethiopia are key US partners and expressed hope human rights concerns will be addressed during Obama’s discussions with officials of the two countries.Obama will be the first US head of state and government to visit Ethiopia where he will hold meetings with government representatives as well as with leaders of the African Union.

The President’s trip to Ethiopia will follow a visit to Kenya, where Obama will attend the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit, according to the White House.

The trip to Kenya will be Obama’s fourth visit to sub-Saharan Africa during his presidency.

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US/Kenya/Ethiopia: Obama Should Speak Out on Rights

July 22, 1015, Washington, DC (Human Rights Watch) – United States President Barack Obama should use his upcoming trip to Kenya and Ethiopia to call for fundamental human rights reforms in both countries, a group of 14 nongovernmental organizations and individual experts said in a letter to Obama.

Obama is expected to depart for Africa on Thursday, July 23, 2015.

The governments of Kenya and Ethiopia have been using the pretext of national security to clamp down on core freedoms, which not only violates their international legal obligations, but undermines efforts to address terrorism, the letter’s signatories said.

“While important partners for the United States, both Kenya and Ethiopia present pressing concerns that we hope will be at the forefront of your discussions,” the letter says. “Both countries face real security threats but we are concerned by the way in which each government has responded, often with abusive security measures and increased efforts to stifle civil society and independent media.”

Letter Signatories:

• Bronwyn E. Burton, deputy director, Africa Center,Atlantic Council
• John Campbell, senior fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
• Brian Dooley, director, Human Rights Defenders, Human Rights First
• John Harbeson, professor emeritus, CUNY Graduate Center and City College of New York
• Steven Hawkins, executive director, Amnesty International USA
• David Kramer, senior director for human rights and democracy, The McCain Institute for International Leadership
• Mark Lagon, president, Freedom House
• Princeton Lyman, senior advisor to the president, United States Institute of Peace
• Sarah Margon, Washington director, Human Rights Watch
• Sarah Pray, senior policy analyst, Open Society Policy Center
• Jeffrey Smith, advocacy officer, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
• David Throup, George Washington University and Johns Hopkins SAIS
• Mark Yarnell, senior advocate, Refugees International
• Amb. (Ret) William M. Bellamy, Warburg professor of international relations,Simmons College