Baer Nomination as Ambassador to OSCE Praised

Washington, D.C. – Following President Obama’s announcement that he has nominated Daniel Baer to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Human Rights First President and CEO Elisa Massimino issued the following statement:

“Dan Baer is a passionate and effective advocate for American ideals and universal values. We have welcomed the opportunity to work closely with him on a wide range of issues during his time at the State Department, many of which will be front and center in his new post. Dan’s nomination underscores the importance of putting human rights at the core of the OSCE’s work. As the only trans-Atlantic organization that includes both the United States and Russia – and the only forum where governments and civil society meet as equals — the OSCE is vitally important, particularly as the human rights situation in Russia is deteriorating. Dan’s will be an important voice at an important time.

“We look forward to working with Dan as he tackles the many challenges—including antisemitism, anti-Muslim intolerance, Roma inclusion, religious freedom, hate crime, Internet freedom—that lie ahead.”