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“All human beings are born free and equal

in dignity and rights.”

- Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Public Statements

TLHRC Salutes Solidarity Sabbath

May 22, 2015
Today, all around the world, people of faith are coming together to pledge support for Solidarity Sabbath, reaffirming their shared commitment to the fundamental human right to freedom of religion, conscience, and belief. The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission stands with those who fight anti-semitism and all other forms of religious, racial and ethnic prejudice and persecution.

Co-Chairs Commemorate 10th Anniversary of the Andijan Massacre in Uzbekistan

May 13, 2015
Today we are called upon to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Andijan massacre.

On May 13, 2005, in the eastern Uzbek city of Andijan, Uzbek government forces opened fire on thousands of demonstrators assembled to protest government corruption, repression, poverty, and official injustice. Hundreds of men, women, and children were killed.

TLHRC Letter to President Obama in Advance of Dialogue with Gulf Cooperation Council

May 13, 2015

Commission Co-Chairs Jim McGovern and Joseph Pitts released a letter to President Barack Obama today signed by 43 additional members, expressing deep and continuing concern over the continued suppression of civil, political and religious rights within the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Co-Chairman Call For Recognition of Armenian Genocide

Apr 24, 2015
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the events that, over a period of eight years from 1915 to 1923, resulted in the deaths of over one and a half million Armenians, and the forced exile of hundreds of thousands more.

Co-Chair Jim McGovern Calls for Unconditional Release of Nabeel Rajab

Apr 2, 2015

Once again Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, has been arrested for exercising his fundamental right to freedom of expression. Today his home was surrounded by security forces and he was taken away.

Co-Chairmen Send Letter to Secretary Kerry Regarding Repression of Uyghurs in China

Mar 27, 2015

On March 27, 2015, Congressman James P. McGovern and Congressman Joseph R. Pitts, Co-Chairmen of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, sent a letter to Secretary Kerry urging his serious engagement on the worsening human rights situation of ethnic Uyghurs in China.

Statement of Co-Chairmen on Allegations of Chemical Weapons Use in Sarmin, Syria

Mar 24, 2015
As Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, we are deeply concerned about recent reports alleging that on March 16th the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad attacked the town of Sarmin, Idlib in the northwestern part of the country using chemical weapons, specifically barrel bombs filled with chlorine gas.

Statement of Co-Chairmen on Woman Burned in Kabul for Allegations of Blasphemy

Mar 24, 2015
As Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, we condemn the brutal murder of a woman known as Farkhunda by a mob in Kabul on March 19, 2015. The mob, comprised largely of men, beat her, set her on fire and threw her body in the Kabul River for allegedly burning the Quran, according to reports.

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Co-Chairmen Statement on the Assassination of Boris Nemtsov

Mar 4, 2015

As Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the brutal assassination of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov last Friday, February 27th.

Joint Statement by Lantos Commission Co-Chairs McGovern and Pitts on Sudanese Officials Attending the Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, February 5th

Feb 5, 2015

As Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, we are deeply alarmed by reports that two alleged perpetrators of genocide in Sudan, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Karti and Dr. Ibrahim Ghandur of the ruling National Congress Party, have been invited to the National Prayer Breakfast.

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