Urge the President to Issue an Executive Order on Domestic Human Rights

Call on the President to Issue an Executive Order and hold the USA Accountable for it's Human Rights

Greetings,

President Barack Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500


Dear President Obama:

I'm excited by the news that you are considering an Executive Order on human rights. The United States should observe and apply domestically the same human rights that we promote globally and urge other governments to respect. Such an Order would send a strong message that the United States believes that human rights must begin at home and is ready to lead by example. Although we appreciate your public commitment to these principles, we need unequivocal and concrete action to honor human rights commitments at home.

The time for action is now. I am writing to urge you to issue a comprehensive Executive Order (E.O.). I urge you to include meaningful human rights reforms in the E.O. including:

* An explicit commitment to implement the full spectrum of human rights as envisioned in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, recognizing that every human being is entitled not only to civil and political rights, but also to economic, social and cultural rights;

* Mechanisms to ensure human rights standards are integrated and enforced across the government, which at a minimum, requires a revitalized and more effective Inter-Agency Working Group on Human Rights which will serve as a coordinating body among federal agencies and departments for the promotion and respect of human rights and the implementation of human rights obligations in U.S. domestic policy;

* Human rights impact assessments and studies to ensure government policies, pending legislation and regulations are consistent with human rights commitments;

* A requirement that Inspectors General, civil rights and civil liberties offices within departments and Government Accountability Office incorporate human rights obligations and analysis in their reviews and investigations of governmental agencies, policies and programs;

* A plan of action to fully implement and incorporate human rights obligations into domestic and foreign policy, including following up on recommendations made by human rights bodies such as the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the U.N. Human Rights Council following the 2010 Universal Periodic Review of the U.S.; and

* Meaningful periodic consultations with civil society and enhanced collaboration between federal and state and local governments on implementation and enforcement of human rights obligations.

I call on you to put the weight of your Presidency behind these efforts and issue an Executive Order.

Sincerely,

[Your name]