Embargoed Till 12noon, Wednesday 29 April, 2009.

Amnesty International urges human rights to be at the heart of strengthening NZ-US relations

Amnesty International's report on US President Barack Obama's first 100 days, finds that his human rights work amounts to "promises for change with only limited action".

The report, "Mixed messages: Counter terror and human rights: President Obama's first 100 days", analyses the new US administration's actions on counter-terrorism detention policies.

"At the end of his 100 days, it is clear that President Obama has taken significant steps to undo some of the damaging detention and interrogation policies developed under the previous administration. However much more is needed to make a real shift towards bringing the USA into compliance with its international human rights obligations," says Amnesty NZ's CEO, Patrick Holmes.

While NZ Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has said NZ's relationship with the US is benefitting from 'fresh energy' from new administrations in both countries, Amnesty urges the NZ Government to ensure that engagements with the US Government include a focus on protection for human rights and accountability for past violations surrounding counter-terrorism policies.

"Our Government's recent forfeiture of its bid for the Human Rights Council to allow for US candidature demonstrates New Zealand's commitment to forging an even closer relation with the Obama administration."

"We are now urging our Government to demonstrate its commitment to the international protection of human rights by encouraging the US to end all unlawful detentions, bring justice to those responsible for torture and other serious human rights violations, and provide real remedies to victims."

In the report Amnesty International welcomes President Obama's steps so far, but notes that these changes do not obscure the fact that over 240 men remain unlawfully detained at Guantanamo, that hundreds of others languish in US custody in Afghanistan with no means to challenge their detention, and at least three dozen people believed to be held in the USA's secret detention programme remain unaccounted for, their fate and whereabouts unknown.

"Further action is urgently needed to ensure President Obama's promise of change is not just symbolic, but a substantial and enduring shift towards respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism," adds Holmes.

Background

In November 2008, Amnesty International issued a "checklist" of actions asking President Barack Obama to address US human rights violations within his first 100 days. The checklist urged 17 steps to be taken in three areas – Guantanamo and illegal detention; torture and other ill-treatment; and impunity. Executive orders issued on President Obama's third day in office marked significant steps forward on the first two areas, but failed to address the impunity for human rights violations already committed in the name of countering terrorism.

Amnesty's full assessment can be viewed in the report, "Mixed messages: Counter terrorism and human rights: President Obama’s first 100 days", downloadable from www.amnesty.org.nz/media_release/Obamas_100_days

Additional materials including case studies, facts and figures, and timeline are available on request.

Event to mark Obama’s first 100 Days - Auckland
Amnesty NZ's Auckland Central Group will be holding a fund and awareness raising gig about Obama's 100 days at London Bar on 30 April. Featuring Blues diva Caitlin Smith as the head-lining act with Luke Hurley, Benny Profane and Claire & Celeste all generously donating their energy and time for the night. All proceeds to Amnesty's Auckland Central Group. See www.amnesty.org.nz/media_release/100_Days_the_Obama_Gig for more information on the gig.

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