AIC’s Middle East civil rights initiative, HAMSA (“Hands Across the Mideast Support Alliance”) unites people of conscience to strengthen individual rights in the region. The concept that an individual has inherent rights – regardless of gender, religion, race, etc. – must take root in Middle Eastern societies if genuine democracy and long-term stability are to be achieved in the region. HAMSA’s strategic approach is to leverage the freedom of Americans to improve conditions for indigenous Middle Eastern reformers – specifically by educating the public about civil rights repression, pressuring dictators to alleviate restrictions, and providing encouragement and practical advocacy training to next-generation reformers.