US Envoy's Visit to Morocco Triggers Backlash for 'Double Standards' on Western Sahara, Ukraine
New Arab,
March 9, 2022
“During remarks in Morocco, Deputy Sec of State Sherman should have raised concerns about press freedom & the detention of Moroccan journalists. This would have sent a strong message to the palace & helped empower other journalists who remain under threat.”
“The idea behind the commission and the amendments it proposed—and behind this entire reform process—is that in ten years, Jordan could become a constitutional monarchy with the government led by the prime minister appointed by parliament.”
“Although they control most of the media in Turkey, the economic reality is shifting public opinion towards the opposition and the government appears unable to control… the narrative.”
“It’s commendable that the US stood firm on the human rights conditions it had set. Yet, in the bigger picture, the administration remains far too supportive of the Sisi regime and human rights remain far too marginal in US policy.”
“[Blocking aid to Egypt based on human rights conditions] is the right thing to do, but unfortunately the impact…is undermined by simultaneously moving forward with arms sales, nearly 20 times more than the amount being reprogramed.”
“Egypt remains an authoritarian US security partner in the Arab world, and the US, as we know historically, has been very reluctant to push against authoritarian Arab allies who are partners on counterterrorism and security.”
“I don’t think any progress in the human rights situation has been made over the past decade. In fact, by all accounts, by all measures, the human rights situation today is far worse than what it was on January 25, 2011.”
“[Biden aides have] made this argument that this is defensive equipment, and the fact that there are still members of Congress willing to push back on the sale means that for them that’s not enough.”