Press Release

February 2, 2011
CARDIN URGES EGYPTIAN LEADERSHIP TO HEED CALLS FOR A SWIFT AND PEACEFUL TRANSITION

Washington, DC –
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, released the following statement regarding the ongoing developments in Egypt. Senator Cardin looks forward to working with SFRC Chairman Kerry and the Obama Administration in efforts to support an expeditious and non-violent democratic transition for the Egyptian people.
 
“I am alarmed by the growing reports of civilian violence being perpetrated against unarmed, peaceful protesters, but I continue to strongly support the Egyptian people in their call for a new government that promotes freedom and a fair democratic process. I applaud President Obama’s leadership in promoting immediate action toward a meaningful transition that meets the expectations of those who have sought to express their fundamental freedoms in Egypt in the past few days. My hope is that Egypt’s current leadership will heed this call and work to foster a peaceful dialogue that can diffuse the current volatile situation and avoid further bloodshed.
 
“New, legitimate leadership can only emerge once the people have been permitted to make a real choice through transparent and unimpeded political discourse.  I call on the Egyptian government to respect the fundamental human rights of its people and to cease all attempts at censorship. These fundamental freedoms of peaceful assembly, free media, fair elections, and political expression are paramount.”
 
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