Human Rights

I am deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children and families from Central America who have arrived at our borders.  I believe our existing laws, and our obligations under international humanitarian law, allow us to respond humanely and efficiently to these families and children.  They allow us to provide safe haven to those who qualify for such… Read more »

This bipartisan bill promotes access to Tibetan areas of China for U.S. officials, journalists, and average citizens. Currently, travel restrictions imposed by the Chinese government on Tibet are more severe than for any other provincial-level entity of China. Read more »

M. Speaker, Over and over again, House Republicans complain about federal spending, especially when it comes to our nation’s premier anti-hunger safety net program known as SNAP. They say the program is too big – that it’s bloated and it’s full of fraud, waste and abuse. These claims are patently false and have been dispelled over and over again. But… Read more »

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 »