The Democratic staff of the TLHRC are accepting applications for the winter term (Jan-April) under the newly-established Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Internship Program (deadline Nov 6). For application information see: humanrightscommission.house.gov/about/intern...

The PRC's crackdown on Zion Church, an underground house church in multiple cities across China, is a horrible violation of religious freedom. Authorities should release Pastor Ezra Jin and dozens of others and let them freely practice their faith without fear of retribution.

The Democratic staff of the TLHRC are now accepting applications for the winter term (Jan-April) under the newly-established Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Internship Program (deadline Nov 6). For application information see: humanrightscommission.house.gov/about/intern...

Dilnur Reyhan is a French-Uyghur scholar and activist. She is being prosecuted in France for exercising her freedom of expression. People in France should be able to freely protest China’s abuse of the Uyghur people. French authorities should drop the charges against her.

13 years ago, Khalil Maatouk, a Syrian human rights lawyer disappeared on his way to work. He has not been seen since 2013. At the time of his disappearance, his health was in poor condition. Senator Ted Budd is his #DefendingFreedoms advocate.

#InternationalDayOfOlderPersons reminds us that the ability to exercise human rights do not diminish with age. We honor the wisdom & contributions of older persons. Protecting their rights means ensuring dignity, care & inclusion for every generation.

10 years ago yesterday, Buzurgmehr Yorov was arrested without just cause after representing political opposition in court. He is serving a 28-year prison sentence. Tajikistan must release him immediately & without conditions. #DefendingFreedoms

Today, Ales Bialiatski celebrates his 63rd birthday in a Belarusian prison. He is serving a 10-year sentence on politically motivated charges for his work on human rights. Belarus must release him immediately & unconditionally. @repcohen.bsky.social is his #DefendingFreedoms advocate.

In 2008, Congress passed the authorizing resolution for the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, strengthening bipartisan efforts to defend human rights. Today, we continue that mandate by educating Congress & the public and advocating for those whose rights are under threat.

11 years ago today, economist and Uyghur rights defender Ilham Tohti was sentenced to life in prison for promoting cultural understanding between Uyghurs & Han Chinese. China must release him immediately & unconditionally. @amo.house.gov is his #DefendingFreedoms advocate.

Today marks 24 years since the arrest of Dawit Isaak in Eritrea for his journalism. He is the world’s longest-imprisoned journalist, held incommunicado without charges. Eritrea must immediately and unconditionally clarify his status and release him. #DefendingFreedoms

Today, Dr. Hatoon al-Fassi celebrates her birthday. Detained in 2018 for her women’s rights activism in Saudi Arabia, she remains at risk of imprisonment despite her temporary release. Saudi authorities must drop all charges against her immediately and without conditions.

5 years ago today, Crimean Tatar activist Timur Ibragimov was sentenced to 17 years in prison on fabricated charges. Detained for reporting on raids and trials in Crimea, his health is deteriorating in Russian custody. He must be released immediately & without conditions.

On #DemocracyDay, we affirm that democracy & human rights are inseparable. Protecting freedoms of expression, participation & equality is essential to ensure every voice is heard. Human rights are the foundation on which lasting democracies are built. www.un.org/en/observanc...

Democracy advocate Gubad Ibadoghlu celebrates his 54th birthday today under house arrest in Azerbaijan. Despite serious health concerns & international calls for his release, he remains unjustly held. We call on Azerbaijan to release him immediately and without conditions.

On September 9th, a court in Baku unjustly denied the appeal of @rferl.org.web.brid.gy journalist Farid Mehralizada, who faces a nine-year prison sentence. We strongly condemn this decision and call for his immediate and unconditional release.

Materials from the hearing “Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications” along with a recording of the hearing, are now available on our website: humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

TODAY: Please join us today, Tuesday, September 9 at 2:00 pm EST for a hearing on Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs. humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Please join us tomorrow, Tuesday, September 9 at 2:00 pm EST for a hearing on Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs. humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza celebrated his 44th birthday today. Once jailed for denouncing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he was freed in a prisoner swap in August 2024. Reporting is not a crime—We must protect journalists everywhere.

Today marks the anniversary of the 2021 arrests of Nariman Celal & Asan Akhtemov. Nariman is now Ukraine’s ambassador to Turkey, but Asan remains imprisoned on politically motivated charges. Russia must release him immediately and unconditionally. #CrimeaTatars #DefendingFreedoms

Please join us Tuesday, September 9 at 2:00 pm EST for a hearing on Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs. humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Osman Arifmemetov turns 40 today. He is serving a 14-year prison sentence on politically motivated terrorism charges for reporting on Russia’s rights violations in occupied Crimea. Russia must release him immediately and unconditionally. #DefendingFreedoms

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the attacks on the Rohingya in Burma. Genocidal violence left thousands dead and more than 700,000 displaced. The crisis continues and urgent funding & support are needed to protect and assist affected communities. news.un.org/en/focus/roh...

On #WorldHumanitarianDay, we honor those who risk their lives to save others. We must #ActForHumanity to protect aid workers, uphold international law, and ensure lifesaving assistance reaches those who need it most. www.un.org/en/observanc...

Twelve years ago, Shawkan was unjustly arrested. After serving his full sentence, he was released—only to face harsh probation, forced to report to a police station daily from 6 PM to 6 AM. No journalist should be punished for doing their job. #PressFreedom

92-year-old #Bahai leader, Jamaloddin Khanjani, and his daughter Maria were arrested on August 13, 2023 for reasons unknown. Mr. Khanjani was previously imprisoned for his leadership role from 2008-2018. Iran must release them immediately & without conditions. #DefendingFreedoms

Gao Zhisheng is an award-winning human rights lawyer who disappeared in 2017. He is known for his work representing high profile cases related to religious freedom in court. China must clarify his status & release him immediately & without conditions. #DefendingFreedoms

Today, Belarus opposition leader Mikalai Statkevich turned 69 years old. Imprisoned in 2020 & serving a 14-year sentence, he has not been seen or heard from for over 800 days. He must be released immediately & without conditions. @repcohen.bsky.social is his #DefendingFreedoms advocate.

Today, on International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, we must not forget the struggles faced by Indigenous communities worldwide. The global community must act to protect Indigenous rights & uplift Indigenous voices. #IndigenousPeoples www.un.org/en/observanc...

Today is women’s rights defender Loujain al Hathloul’s 36th birthday. Though conditionally released from prison, she remains under a travel ban for her activism in Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities must lift all restrictions on her immediately and without conditions.

July 31 marks three years since #Bahai activists Fariba Kamalabadi & Mahvash Sabet were detained. Both are sentenced to 10 years in prison. Iran must release them immediately & without conditions. @repbonamici.bsky.social & Rep. Schakowsky are their respective #DefendingFreedoms advocates.

Today, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we must not forget the millions exploited through force, fraud, or coercion. Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights. The international community must strengthen efforts to protect victims & #EndTrafficking.

Seven years ago today, Samar Badawi was detained for her fearless advocacy for women’s rights, including challenging the male guardianship system. Now released, she remains under a travel ban. Saudi Arabia must lift all restrictions immediately and without conditions.

Materials from the briefing “Colombia: Challenges for Peace and Human Rights,” along with a recording of the briefing, are now available on our website: humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

On the anniversary of Maykel “Osorbo” Castillo Pérez’s sentencing, we thank @wassermanschultz.house.gov, his #DefendingFreedoms advocate, for her ongoing support. We echo calls for his immediate & unconditional release along with hundreds of other Cuban political prisoners. #FreeMaykel

Two years ago, economist & democracy advocate Gubad Ibadoghlu was detained. Despite serious health concerns & international calls for his release, he remains unjustly held under house arrest. We call on Azerbaijan to release him immediately. #FreeGubad

Join us tomorrow, July 23 at 2pm for a virtual briefing on Challenges for Peace and Human Rights in Colombia. From humanrightscommission.house.gov

Join us on July 23 at 2 pm for a virtual briefing on Challenges for Peace and Human Rights in Colombia. humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Today, on #MandelaDay2025, we honor Nelson Mandela—jailed for 27 years for opposing apartheid and demanding equality. Mandela’s legacy urges us to stand with all those still jailed for defending human rights.

Today marks 16 years since the arrest of Uyghur activist Gulmira Imin by Chinese authorities after protesting the deaths of Uyghur migrant workers. China must release her immediately and without conditions.

Four years ago, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski was sentenced to 10 years in prison on politically motivated charges for his human rights advocacy. Belarus must release him immediately & without conditions. Rep. Steve Cohen is his #DefendingFreedoms advocate. #FreeViasna

HEARING RECAP: Witness testimonies, Cochair remarks, additional information, and full video of the hearing on transnational repression can be found at humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Hearing TODAY -- Transnational Repression: Trends and Policy Approaches Details and livestream: humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Hearing TOMORROW -- Transnational Repression: Trends and Policy Approaches Details and livestream: humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Hearing Notice -- Transnational Repression: Trends and Policy Approaches Details: humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Seven years ago, human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor was sentenced to ten years in prison and three years surveillance on charges related to his work. In 2024 he was given an additional sentence of 15 years in prison. #UAE must release him immediately, without conditions. #DefendingFreedoms

Pham Doan Trang is an author and journalist convicted of promoting "anti-state propaganda" as a result of her work. Today is her 47th birthday, her fifth spent in prison. #Vietnam must #FreeTrang immediately and without conditions. @khanna.house.gov is her #DefendingFreedoms advocate.

Seven years ago, author & human rights defender Server Mustafayev was detained during an arbitrary search of his home in #Crimea. He is serving a 14-year sentence on politically motivated terrorism charges for his work. #Russia must release him immediately, without conditions. #DefendingFreedoms

Today marks the 30th anniversary of #PanchenLama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima's abduction from #Tibet at age six. He has not been seen since. #China must provide proof of his well-being and release him immediately, without conditions. @repmcgovern.bsky.social is his #DefendingFreedoms advocate.