The Arab spring confirms that the region’s people want not only democracy, but dignity – economic opportunity as well as political liberty. Labor unions played a vital mobilizing role in the pro-democracy upsurge and President Obama must address the backlash against one of the region’s few bastions of non-sectarian politics, writes Shawna Bader-Blau.
Today’s speech is a test for President Obama. From a worker rights perspective, nothing short of a radical reassessment of U.S. policy toward the region – one that links democracy to economic justice and labor rights – will do. Bahrain, a close U.S. ally and home of the Navy’s Fifth Fleet, is descending into dictatorship, and democratic institutions like the trade unions are being systematically dismantled.
Will President Obama remain silent while union leaders are brought before military tribunals for exercising their right to strike? Will the United States “stay the course” on policy toward the region, while nearly 1,500 Bahraini citizens have been fired from their jobs for participating in the peaceful citizen reform movement there? As Bahrain’s multiparty, non-sectarian trade union movement sees its leaders forced into exile, fired and otherwise threatened with brutal retaliation, the United States must reassess its priorities and stand up for people who need it the most, wherever they may live.
Syrians deserve human rights, and so do Bahrainis. American values and interests are better served by a more consistent approach, and the whole world is watching.
Shawna Bader-Blau is the Middle East regional program director for the Solidarity Center, a core institute of the National Endowment for Democracy, the Washington-based democracy assistance group.
*Shawna Bader-Blau is the Middle East regional program director for the Solidarity Center, a core institute of the National Endowment for Democracy, the Washington-based democracy assistance group.
Today’s speech is a test for President Obama. From a worker rights perspective, nothing short of a radical reassessment of U.S. policy toward the region – one that links democracy to economic justice and labor rights – will do. Bahrain, a close U.S. ally and home of the Navy’s Fifth Fleet, is descending into dictatorship, and democratic institutions like the trade unions are being systematically dismantled.
Will President Obama remain silent while union leaders are brought before military tribunals for exercising their right to strike? Will the United States “stay the course” on policy toward the region, while nearly 1,500 Bahraini citizens have been fired from their jobs for participating in the peaceful citizen reform movement there? As Bahrain’s multiparty, non-sectarian trade union movement sees its leaders forced into exile, fired and otherwise threatened with brutal retaliation, the United States must reassess its priorities and stand up for people who need it the most, wherever they may live.
Syrians deserve human rights, and so do Bahrainis. American values and interests are better served by a more consistent approach, and the whole world is watching.
Shawna Bader-Blau is the Middle East regional program director for the Solidarity Center, a core institute of the National Endowment for Democracy, the Washington-based democracy assistance group.
*Shawna Bader-Blau is the Middle East regional program director for the Solidarity Center, a core institute of the National Endowment for Democracy, the Washington-based democracy assistance group.
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