To: Robert.dudley@BP.com
From: Shahid Bolsen
Subject: Free society,Free markets
——————————————————————-
Dear Mr Dudley,
The news about BP’s new investment in Egypt is rather upsetting.
As you know, Egypt is a country whose nascent democracy was abruptly brought down by a military coup in July 2013. Following the overthrow of the democratically elected government, the military regime has imposed a severe crackdown on dissent, with hundreds of peaceful demonstrators killed, and thousands of political activists imprisoned.
A company like BP has the economic power, and the international prestige to stand up for justice and freedom in Egypt. If your company would make investment conditional on respect for human rights and civil liberties, you can change the misery in Egypt into hope; you can help transform injustice into justice, by your incomparable influence.
I ask you, on humanitarian principles, re-think your company’s investment in Egypt, and press the government for political reforms to end the suffering of the population.
Respectfully,
Shahid King Bolsen