Getting Going at DRL

Among many administration doings on the human rights front this week, the Senate this week voted to confirm Mike Posner as Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Mike had served as executive director at Human Rights First (formerly the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights) for decades since its founding, and is as steeped as anyone in the full breadth of current human rights challenges in the U.S. and abroad. (Full disclosure: he’s also my former boss.) For the record, here’s the email Human Rights First sent to its mailing list announcing the confirmation, from Elisa Massimino, the current executive director.

Well, it’s official. Last night the Senate voted to confirm Mike Posner as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Today, after 31 years at the helm of Human Rights First, Mike starts on a new journey, taking up the challenge that President Obama and Secretary Clinton have given him to guide U.S. human rights policy and restore U.S. leadership and commitment to the rule of law. I can’t think of anyone better suited to meet that challenge than Mike.

As Mike steps onto this broader stage, he knows we are right behind him—to encourage him, to support him, and to press the United States to live up to its ideals and commitments to respect human rights here at home and around the world. Someday, he may regret that he trained us all so well—but I have a feeling that will make him smile.

Last week, as the staff at Human Rights First toasted Mike in anticipation of his impending confirmation, Mike’s parting words underscored for all of us why he has been able to make such a difference in the world over so many years: “It’s about people.” That has made all the difference, both for those of us who have been privileged to work for him, and for the wider world. Mike never forgets why he is in this fight—to be a voice for the voiceless and to protect the vulnerable, whose lives are in the balance.

Mike takes that profound commitment, which has guided him throughout his career, into a new realm today. We are incredibly proud and excited for him as he takes up this new challenge. I hope you will join me in celebrating Mike’s accomplishments and wishing him the best for the challenges that lie ahead.