CAIRO: US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Michael Posner concluded his visit to Egypt with a press conference on Oct. 9 in which he discussed the human rights issues that were addressed during his visit. Posner considers this visit a part of the broader strategic dialogue between the US and Egypt who have a strong partnership. He says that the US has a range of interests in Egypt in terms of development and economics and that the issues of human rights in Egypt are of extreme importance for the US. Posner said his visit was very productive as it included constructive and direct conversations with government officials and civil society groups and added that the US concerns in Egypt are consistent with issues raised around the world and are not unique to Egypt. “I've had frank and constructive discussions with government officials, we don't always agree but we need to be frank and to resolve our issues in a direct way,” Posner said. During his visit, Posner met with government officials from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also met with the National Council for Human Rights, non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, journalists and religious leaders. During these meetings, Posner discussed the United States' desire for the emergency law to be allowed to expire, and to be replaced by a law that counters terrorism and respects civil liberties. He also discussed the importance of accountability for excessive use of force by government officials. Posner says that the case of Khaled Saeid, who was allegedly killed by police offices, was discussed and that the fact that the case is in prosecution is a good step. Democracy and freedom of association were addressed as Posner expressed the United States' eagerness for less government involvement in civil society organizations and its hope that no changes will be made in the law to restrict their activities. Posner expressed concern over the recent crackdown on opposition journalists and stresses on the importance of allowing multiple voices in the media especially during this period leading up to the parliamentary and the presidential elections. Posner added that there has been openness in freedom of expression in Egypt and that he hopes that the greater restriction on critical voices that was witnessed in recent weeks doesn't become a pattern. The electoral process was also discussed during Posner's visit as he calls for the presence of foreign and domestic observers who should be given full access to all the aspects of the electoral process and for an open process that allows maximum participation by political parties and by voters. Posner added that observers are not only needed in new and emerging democracies and that the United Stated welcomes them to observe its elections. He explained that sustainable democracy can't be imposed from the outside and has to arise from within the society itself. “These elections are for Egypt and by Egyptians and it's not our position to take sides or offer any suggestions on how the outcome should be decided,” said Posner. The issue of the recent sectarian tensions was discussed during the visit. Posner said that these events should be recognized as individual actions that are not caused by the government. He added that the government is however responsible for taking action against them. This is Posner's second visit to Egypt since he took office in September 2009. Posner also co-sponsored a resolution in the UN right after he took office, upholding the freedom of expression and freedom of religion in Egypt.
