Feb 16 2018

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Chris Coons (D-DE), co-chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, introduced a resolution recognizing the critical work of human rights defenders in promoting human rights, the rule of law, democracy, and good governance. The resolution also condemns threats to human rights defenders, encourages all countries to recognize their duties to protect fundamental freedoms, and calls on the President and Secretary of State to maintain U.S. leadership in promoting human rights.
 
“Every day, millions of people around the world face human rights abuses and threats to their freedoms, and human rights defenders play a courageous role in standing up in opposition,” said Senator Tillis. “Since 1998, an estimated 3,500 human rights defenders have been killed advocating on behalf of oppressed people, and I am proud to introduce this resolution in their honor. The United States must be a leader in protecting human rights, and I will continue to work with Senator Coons and the Senate Human Rights Caucus to speak out against any abuses that occur.” 
 
“As a co-chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, I stand with human rights defenders around the world who face threats to their safety and to their right to advocate for the protection of human rights,”said Senator Coons. “I will continue working with Senator Tillis to promote accountability for human rights abuses and to pass this resolution in honor of those who have lost their lives advancing the fundamental freedoms of all people.”
 
The full resolution is available here.
 

###