Human Rights First Applauds President Obama\u2019s Nomination of a U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain
\nFor Immediate Release: July 1, 2011<\/p>\n
Washington, D.C.\u2014 Human Rights First applauds President Obama\u2019s nomination of an ambassador to Bahrain. This has been a critical request from the Bahraini human rights community since the absence of a high level diplomatic envoy from the United States has hampered the USG\u2019s ability to address the ongoing crackdown against human rights defenders in the home of the Navy\u2019s Fifth Fleet.<\/p>\n
President Obama announced Tuesday the nomination of Thomas C. Krajeski as ambassador to Bahrain. \u201cThis nomination satisfies a major demand of the human rights community by adding accountability and weight to U.S. foreign policy-making in Bahrain,\u201d said Human Rights First\u2019s Quinn O\u2019Keefe.<\/p>\n
The President\u2019s announcement is especially important on the eve of a national dialogue that many in the human rights community doubt will be real and productive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Bahraini government\u2019s continuing violent attacks on peaceful protesters and its intimidation and detention of human rights defenders call into question the Bahraini government\u2019s good faith,\u201d added O\u2019Keefe. \u201cAs President Obama said in his May 19th speech on the Arab Spring, Bahrain cannot have a real dialogue if the opposition is in jail.\u201d …more<\/a><\/p>\n