Human Rights

WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, along with Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA), introduced H.R. 4270, the PROTECT Hong Kong Act – a bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives to prohibit commercial exports of certain nonlethal crowd control items and defense articles and services to the… Read more »

WORCESTER, MASS. – Today, Congressman James P. McGovern, Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and a leading congressional advocate for peace in Colombia, issued this statement strongly condemning news that some former FARC dissidents would abandon the Colombian peace process and return to arms: “Peace is the only path forward for Colombia. I am deeply… Read more »

"I look forward with hope to a transitional period that places the rights and aspirations of the Sudanese people front and center." Read more »

WASHINGTON – Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) will join Representatives Jackie Speier (D-CA), Filemon Vela (D-TX) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), and 16 other Democratic Members of Congress who are traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border near McAllen and Brownsville, Texas tomorrow, July 13th. Many of the members are returning to the site of an investigation last summer into the conditions… Read more »

WORCESTER, MA – Today, Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, issued the following statement supporting the people of Sudan and their right to peacefully protest: “We continue to stand with the peaceful protesters in Sudan who are exercising their fundamental right to be heard. It has… Read more »

"The American people are sick and tired of endless wars." Read more »

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, issued this statement following threats by the Transitional Military Council against the peaceful movement in support of civilian government in Sudan: “When Sudan’s military ousted Omar al Bashir, it claimed to do so in support… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives James McGovern (D-MA), John Lewis (D-GA) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) led 79 House Democrats in a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to express their grave concern about the implementation of the 2016 Colombia Peace Accords and continuing escalation of murders and attacks against human rights defenders and social leaders. The letter… Read more »

Text of Letter (PDF)  WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, a bipartisan, bicameral group of 92 lawmakers led by Representative James McGovern (D-MA) and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Todd Young (R-IN), along with Representatives Ann Wagner (R-MO), Karen Bass (D-CA), and Chris Smith (R-NJ), sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA), Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, issued the following statement in recognition of the 30th birthday of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibetan Buddhism: “Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as… Read more »