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Article: Arabs Press Human Rights Efforts; Nations' Rulers and Publics Offer Indifference or Opposition
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- April 8, 1987
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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After years of violence in Lebanon and repression by some current
governments that matches that attributed to colonial masters of the
past, Arab activists are fighting an uphill battle to protect human
rights in the Arab world.
Western human rights militants who long have carried most of the
burden in exposing abuses are encouraged that like-minded Arabs have
joined the campaign. But these Arab activists worry that because
their membership is drawn almost entirely from the educated elite and
lacks broad popular support, governments can easily obstruct their
work.
"Government attitudes range from total rejection of the whole
concept of human rights to a refusal to recognize any organized ...