Senate

Rubio wants Kerry to up pressure on Egypt

by Jordain Carney - 07/27/15 7:49 PM ET

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is pushing Secretary of State John Kerry to increase pressure on the Egyptian government on political reform and human rights during upcoming talks.

The 2016 presidential contender joined with Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) to send a letter to Kerry on Monday ahead of next week’s U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue, pressing him to make political inclusion, human rights, and “fundamental freedoms” key to the discussions.

{mosads}The bipartisan group of lawmakers wrote that they are “troubled” over developments in the country.

“We are troubled by recent developments in Egypt that suggest the country is not on a path to long-term sustainable security or political inclusion,” the senators say in the letter. “We are also concerned that recent U.S. policy and assistance decisions have been interpreted by the Egyptian government as an endorsement of the current political climate.”

While the lawmakers suggested that the administration’s decision to lift holds on delivering military equipment, as well as providing security and economic assistance, were “critical,” they added that U.S. support for Egypt must be matched by Cairo’s “commitment to implementing a reform agenda.”

“A key element of U.S. foreign policy has always been and must continue to be support for human rights, political reform, and civil society,” the senators said. “In the U.S.-Egypt relationship, we are concerned that these core principles seem to be no longer a priority.”

The senators added that while Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi deserved “praise” for economic reforms, the government must also establish a plan for improving the living conditions of Egyptians.

State Department Assistant Secretary Tom Malinowski suggested earlier this year while testifying before the Foreign Relations Committee that a crackdown in nonviolent opposition in Egypt was an example of “a blow for human rights.”

Tags Ben Cardin Bob Casey Chris Coons John Kerry John McCain Marco Rubio Mark Kirk Tim Kaine