Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Hearing on The Human Rights Situation in Bahrain

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Hearing on The Human Rights Situation in Bahrain
April 29, 2010
It is important to mention that this is the first time the United States Congress hold an official on the record hearing on Bahrain. On the record means that it will be published in the Congressional record and everyone will have access it to it. These are the people who attended the hearing as witnesses:

1. Joe Stork, Human Rights Watch
2. Stephen McInerney, Project on Middle East Democracy
3. Mohammed Alansari, Bahrain Society for Public Freedom (from the government)
4. Kenneth Katzman, Specialist in Middle eastern Affairs – Library of Congress
5. Katie Zoglin, Freedom House

The Hearing was chaired by Congressman James McGovern, who is the co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) and Congresswoman Donna Edwards who is a member of the TLHRC. It is vital to mention that Congressman McGovern he is being the co-chair of the Commission and for him to attend; does elevate the issue and topic to high circles among the leadership in the Congress. In other words, for him to come is a sign that there is a serious concern about Human Rights Violations in Bahrain. The hearing started at 12 noon and ended at 1:45pm. There was a very high attendant to an extent some time during the Hearing some people stood because they were not enough chairs. Also, many members of Congress staffers were in the attendee and they were constantly taking notes. …more