Human Rights

“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 »

It is very encouraging to see the strong participation by the Salvadoran people in last Sunday's presidential elections. Read more »

STATEMENT BY U.S. REPRESENTATIVE JIM MCGOVERN ON TODAY’S STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT ON THE MAGNITSKY LAW McGovern Was Original House Sponsor of the Legislation “The lack of new names on the list is very disappointing.  I am looking forward to the day when the Magnitsky law will become obsolete because the climate of impunity no longer prevails inside Russia. But today is… Read more »

Last week, U.S. Representatives McGovern, Royce, and Keating sent a letter to Secretary of State Kerry urging the U.S. to lead the way on the humanitarian crisis in Syria. In the letter, the three Members of Congress wrote, "We strongly urge you to use all available U.S. leverage to seek Russian and other international cooperation to establish a humanitarian framework which will allow… Read more »

The Procurador's action against the Mayor of Bogota, and the response inside Colombia, indicate the need for reflection on how prepared Colombian society is – including its highest authorities – to expand the political landscape and welcome the political participation of previously excluded sectors, including those of former combatants. Read more »

We wish to express our congratulations to the people of Honduras for their commitment to democracy as demonstrated by the participation in recent elections. Read more »

65 years ago, in 1948, the first 58 Members of the United Nations, fresh from the wounds and memories of World War II, adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Read more »

Today, Congressman Jim McGovern sent a letter to Secretary Kerry, urging him to encourage his European counterparts to adopt legislation and/or measures similar to the ones outlined in the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012. The letter comes in anticipation of a new report from the State Department and Treasury on the implementation of the Magnitsky Act.  Read more »

Congressman James P. McGovern today called on the Government of Bahrain to grant the early prison release of Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and Director of the Gulf Center for Human Rights. Read more »