Sir, A “difficult question” for Barack Obama after his momentous election victory (report, Nov 5) will be how to restore some measure of international trust in his country’s support for human rights.

After Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, extraordinary rendition and a mounting civilian death toll from US airstrikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Mr Obama will need to work hard to reassure the world that the White House respects international law and will strive to uphold its values.

After his inauguration he should do three things immediately. First, announce a closure date for the Guantanamo prison, ensuring that all detainees receive proper trials or are safely released. Secondly, issue an executive order banning torture and other ill-treatment, as defined under international law, making this applicable to all US agents. And thirdly, set up an independent commission to investigate abuses committed by the US in its War on Terror.

The September 2001 attacks were a truly monstrous crime and the US has a solemn human rights duty to the victims and their families to bring the plotters to justice. This duty remains as compelling as ever, but so do the human rights values of fair trial and freedom from torture.

Obama’s America should break with the past and he should put human rights at the heart of his historic government.

Kate Allen

Director, Amnesty International UK

Sir, Mr Obama’s election to the White House is certainly a giant leap for the civil rights movement in the USA. However, the day that a black politician is voted into the office of president without widescale fascination regarding the colour of their skin, is the day that the American public can genuinely afford to congratulate themselves.

That Tuesday’s events were momentous is testament to the long journey that America and Britain still have ahead towards true equal opportunity; regardless of creed, colour and religion.

David Hoffman

London NW3

Sir, Are the Native Americans part of anyone’s dream? Do their hopes and expectations count for nothing? The original inhabitants of North America have been obliterated from the political scene and from the national conscience and are left to languish in remote reserves. As a consequence it is an exaggeration to define Obama’s election as a masterclass in democracy.

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