Congressman Trent Franks:
“The United States has turned a blind eye to Saudi Arabia’s abysmal human rights record for far too long. The overwhelmingly bipartisan and widespread support of our letter to President Obama demonstrates how critical human rights and religious freedom are to our foreign policy objectives.
“When President Obama travels to Saudi Arabia at the end of this week, he will have a unique opportunity to combine symbolic actions with direct support for human rights reform. We urge the President to meet with women activists who have courageously challenged the country’s ban on women drivers and with prominent peaceful human rights advocates who are imprisoned. If the Obama Administration has previously raised human rights concerns through private channels, Saudi Arabia’s continued human rights record—among the most repressive in the world—reveals their unwillingness to reform. Now is the time to publically demonstrate U.S. support for those in Saudi Arabia who are taking such risks to advance fundamental rights in their society.”
Congressman Frank Wolf:
“As President Obama travels to Saudi Arabia later this week, he has an opportunity to confront the Saudi government about some of its most egregious human rights abuses. From the Saudi men who have been imprisoned for nearly two years without trial for the “crime” of becoming Ahmadiyya Muslims, to the ban on churches, from the regular silencing of journalists who seek freedom of speech, to the intimidation of most independent human rights activists, countless people suffer directly from the oppression of the Saudi government. The United States has a moral obligation to stand up for the rights of these individuals and make sure that their plight is not forgotten.”
Congressman James P. McGovern:
“As we work to build lasting and stable partnerships with foreign societies, we need to recognize the diversity within them. During his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, President Obama should seek to meet with Saudi women activists, reach out to the families of imprisoned human rights advocates, and raise concern about the continued persecution of religious minorities in Saudi Arabia. Instead of condoning Saudi Arabia’s stifling of peaceful social, political, and religious dissent, we must actively engage those who speak up for freedom.”
Congresswoman Jacki Speier:
“Saudi Arabia’s human rights record is abysmal at best and its mistreatment of women is systemic, unthinkable and cruel. When President Obama meets with King Abdullah, he must speak out against intolerance and urge specific reforms to bring the country closer to the rest of the free world.”
