Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

Today marks 3 years since Fariba Kamalabadi & Mahvash Sabet were sentenced to 10 years in prison for religious activities. Iran must release them immediately & without conditions. @repbonamici.bsky.social & Rep. Schakowsky are their respective #DefendingFreedoms advocates.

On the 12th anniversary of the Euromaidan protests, we remember the beginning of the “Revolution of Dignity” - demonstrations that defended Ukraine’s relationship with Europe. Patriotic Ukrainians defend that today as in 2013. #Euromaidan.

Today, Alaa Abd El-Fattah turns 44 as a free man, following the presidential pardon he received in September. Yet he is still being denied permission to travel to the UK to see his son. Egypt must lift all restrictions on his release. #DefendingFreedoms

Dong Yuyu remains unjustly incarcerated after the Beijing High Court rejected his appeal. Dong is a journalist who has been given a 7-year sentence on a politically motivated charge. PRC authorities should release him and respect the internationally recognized right of freedom of the press.

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.

2025 UNIDOP On "Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, Our Rights" | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD) 35th United Nations International Day of Older Persons Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action:Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, Our Rights Wednesday, 1 October 2025 10:00 AM - 1:00 PMECOSOC…

#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.

International Day of Democracy | United Nations The International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world. Democracy is as much a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of and support…

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.

Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications Hearing NoticePlease join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on foreign NGO laws.

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...

Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications Hearing NoticePlease join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on foreign NGO laws.

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

Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications Hearing NoticePlease join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on foreign NGO laws.

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

Rohingya Refugee Crisis Today, nearly one million Rohingya refugees continue to live in dire conditions … addressing the root causes of systematic discrimination, disenfranchisement and communal violence in Myanmar is…

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...

According to the Aid Worker Security Database, 383 aid workers were killed in 2024—the highest on record. Hundreds more were injured, kidnapped, or detained. Attacks rise as accountability is absent. Protecting humanitarians protects those they serve. aidworkersecurity.org

World Humanitarian Day | United Nations World Humanitarian Day is a global celebration of people helping people. It is intended to raise public awareness of humanitarian assistance worldwide and the people who risk their lives in order to p...

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...