Co-Chairs Address Global Parliamentarians on Human Rights in Ukraine

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Randy Hultgren (R-IL) and James P. McGovern (D-MA), Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, addressed the 40th Annual Forum of the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) in Kiev, Ukraine via video last month about the human rights situation in Ukraine.

Co-Chair Hultgren emphasized the gross human rights violations perpetrated by Russia-backed separatist forces, stating "Our cooperation together on these issues helps to ensure that people around the world are able to access their universal and most fundamental freedoms."

Co-Chair McGovern drew attention to imprisoned journalists such as Stanislav Aseyev and Vasyl Muravytskyi, while also commending recent Ukrainian efforts to address human rights concerns by passing new anti-corruption laws. He said, "Our message today is simple: we share a commitment to protecting and defending human rights, ensuring accountability for abuses, and consolidating rule of law everywhere, and we stand with you in your efforts to achieve these ends in Ukraine and globally."

The video can be found here or viewed below.