Statement from The Carter Center on the Death of Harry Barnes

ATLANTA….Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, along with Carter Center staff, mourn the death of Ambassador Harry G. Barnes Jr. , who passed away on Aug. 9, 2012. Before serving the Center as director of the Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Programs from 1994-2000, Barnes served as U.S. Ambassador to India, Romania, and Chile and was the director of the U.S. Foreign Service.

"Harry Barnes was one of our country's finest and most admired representatives abroad," said President Carter. "His contributions to the work of The Carter Center were invaluable, including in our efforts toward peace in Bosnia and in the establishment of the International Criminal Court, among others. His life was an example for those who desire to advance American values of human rights through the diplomatic service."

"Harry was admired in the human rights community for his principled stand for human rights as U.S. ambassador to Chile during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet," said current Human Rights Program Director Karin Ryan. "He led the U.S. effort to assist the transition to democracy in that country and represented the best example of what American leadership can accomplish in advancing human rights. He also was one of the best colleagues one could have - always encouraging while also challenging others to rise to their potential. Under Harry's leadership, the Human Rights Program was able to make substantial contributions to various human rights initiatives at the United Nations and establish lasting relationships with leading human rights defenders throughout the world.

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