Obama defends human rights record at Holocaust Memorial Museum

WASHINGTON — President Obama defended his administration’s work to prevent mass atrocities Monday while speaking to Holocaust survivors.

The U.S. government has worked with international partners to protect civilians in Cote D’Ivoire, Libya and South Sudan, Obama told an audience at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

And he has sent American advisors to central Africa in an effort to contain Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army and secure the region, Obama noted.

Obama said those advisors would continue their efforts to “bring this madman to justice” and that the world must continue to stand with the people of Syria under the oppression of the regime of Bashar Assad.

“The Syrian people have not given up, which is why we cannot give up,” Obama said Monday. The U.S., its allies and partners will “keep increasing the pressure, with a diplomatic effort to further isolate Assad and his regime, so that those who stick with Assad know that they are making a losing bet.”

The public remarks come as some critics complain that the administration is not doing enough to stop the killing in Syria and Sudan. Advisors to the president say he is focused on increasing the pressure in those countries in cooperation with others in the international community, and in acting with the U.S. interests in mind.

But as he spoke to Holocaust survivors, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel, Obama emphasized the humanitarian aspect of his policies.

“The world can take pride in the innocent lives that we have saved,” Obama said.

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Original source: Obama defends human rights record at Holocaust Memorial Museum