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May 13, 2011

Amnesty Praises Uprisings in Middle East, Warns of Violent Response 
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In its annual report on the "State of the World's Human Rights," Amnesty
International praises the growing protest movements in North Africa and
the Middle East.

Salil Shetty, Amnesty International's Secretary General: "I think there
is no question that what has happened is unprecedented, we have not seen
anything like since after the fall of the Berlin Wall. In places like
Egypt and Tunisia, which you never would have expected, some of the most
brutal dictators and also several myths have been exploded, the idea
human rights is a Western concept, that it is not compatible with Islam,
that people in very brutal regimes will never raise their voice, all of
that has been exploded, so I think that gives us enormous hope."

Amnesty's Salil Shetty warned repressive governments are threatening the
pro-democracy movements.

Salil Shetty: "While the people of Tunisia inspired the people of Egypt,
it's also true that some of the governments, like Libya, who crack down
on their people, have inspired other governments, like Yemen and Syria.
Which is why the report says we are at a 'knife-edge.' A lot depends on
how things pan out in the coming months and the role of the
international community and western powers, who we hope have also learnt
some lessons, that you can't just be opportunistic and prop up
dictators."



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