Human Rights

I welcome the news that Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, was released from prison today, after serving a two-year sentence for participating in public protests. Read more »

Over 800,000 people of Rohingya ethnicity live in Burma, mostly in the state. Even though many Rohingyas have lived in the Rakhine for generations, the Burma Citizenship Law of 1982 has excluded them from approved ethnic groups, thereby rendering them stateless and vulnerable to exploitation, violence and abuse. I am very proud to rise in support of this resolution urging the Government of Burma to end the persecution of the Rohingya people and respect internationally recognized human rights for all ethnic and religious minority groups within Burma. Read more »

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission co-chairmen James McGovern (D-MA) and Frank Wolf (R-VA) welcomed the announcement by Secretary Kerry that the United States will be offering military and law enforcement assistance support to the Nigerian government with the aim of finding and securing the release of nearly 300 missing Nigerian schoolgirls. Read more »

"I’m sick and tired of poor people being demonized. I’m sick and tired of their struggle being belittled. We’re here to represent all people – including those struggling in poverty." - U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern Read more »

Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) met today with two members of the Russian band and activist group Pussy Riot to discuss ongoing human rights violations in Russia. Read more »

"We need to hear from those who struggle with poverty, not just the think tank gurus. We need to hear what is working and what is not working on the ground in our communities," - U.S. Rep. McGovern Read more »

We are shocked and saddened by the news of the murder of Carlos Mejia Orellana, journalist and marketing director of Radio Progreso in Honduras. Read more »

Surviving the Peace – Landmines, Mortars and Munitions 25 Years of Humanitarian Mine Action Mines Advisory Group (MAG) America Wednesday, April 2, 2014 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM Photo Exhibit:  Russell Rotunda Thank you everyone for coming to this important exhibit.  It’s so important that we remember the tremendous toll that landmines inflict on innocent… Read more »

“I strongly condemn the brutal attacks on the Armenian-populated town of Kessab by al-Qaeda affiliated armed bands. I am deeply saddened by the news of 80 lost lives and remain concerned for the fate of those who were forced to flee the area. This massacre underscores the particular vulnerability of Christian and other minorities in Syria and is another example of the atrociousness… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, joined by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Co-Chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, today sent a letter to President Obama asking for the Administration to add names of Russian officials responsible for human rights abuses to the Magnitsky list. Read more »