Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

Today, March 19, 2026, marks the first anniversary of the politically motivated arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu – another sad travesty of justice under President Erdogan, whose assault on rule of law is comprehensive. We support the citizens who defend the rule of law!

Please join us for a hearing on 'Ukraine: Abducted Children and Mechanisms for Accountability’ on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. (EST) humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/hearing…

Activist Abduljalil Al-Singace was arrested 15 years ago today for speaking out against sectarian discrimination and the repression of political opposition. Bahrain must release him immediately & without conditions. @RepRoKhanna is his #DefendingFreedoms advocate.

March 15 is International Day to Combat Islamophobia. Today we call attention to Muslims around the world who experience discrimination and persecution for practicing their human right to religious freedom. We must continue promoting peace and respect for diversity of thought.

5 years ago today journalist Amet Suleimanov was arrested for his work with the Crimean Solidarity initiative. His health is in critical condition after being barred from adequate treatment. Russia must release him immediately & without conditions.#DefendingFreedoms

4 years ago today, activist Raif Badawi was conditionally released from prison. He remains subject to a 10-year travel ban and has no judicial means to challenge the order. #SaudiArabia must lift all restrictions on his release. @RepMcGovern is his #DefendingFreedoms advocate.

Today is National Tibetan Uprising Day, which commemorates the 1959 uprising against Chinese occupation and honors those who lost their lives fighting for freedom. We continue to advocate for human rights and resilience against cultural suppression in Tibet.

March 8th is International Women’s Day. Today we celebrate the achievements of women around the world and commemorate the ongoing fight for equality and liberation. Women’s rights are human rights.

Thank you @RepMcGovern @timkaine @EleanorNorton @RepRaskin @repdinatitus @RepDonBeyer @Rep_Walkinshaw for calling on @SecRubio to ensure members of @presidentaz's security detail are held accountable for their violent attacks on protestors in DC on Feb 19

🚨USCIRF releases 2026 Entities of Particular Concern (EPC) Recommendations

🚨 USCIRF releases 2026 Recommendations for the Special Watch List (SWL)

🚨 USCIRF releases 2026 Country of Particular Concern (CPC) Recommendations

Today is activist Xu Zhiyong’s 53rd birthday. He has been an integral member of China’s civil rights movement in the last 20 years & was sentenced to 14 years in prison. China must release him immediately & without conditions.@SenMarkey is his #DefendingFreedoms Advocate.

Marlen Asanov celebrated his 8th birthday in prison today. As a citizen journalist, he advocated for political prisoners & supported their families. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison. Russia must release him immediately & without conditions. #DefendingFreedoms

8 years ago today, Mo Xiufeng was sentenced to 9 years in prison for practicing her right to religious freedom. She was charged with using heterodox teachings undermining law enforcement. China must release her immediately & without conditions. #DefendingFreedoms

Farid Mehralizada is a journalist with @RFERL sentenced to 9 years in prison as part of the Azerbaijani government’s crackdown on independent media. He is scheduled to appeal the conviction on March 6. He should be released without conditions. #Pressfreedom

Please join us for a hearing on 'U.S. Presidency of the G20 –An Opportunity to Champion Human Rights' on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. (EST) humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/hearing…

Please join us for a hearing on 'U.S. Presidency of the G20 –An Opportunity to Champion Human Rights' on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. (EST).youtube.com/live/1kjwq0Znw… via @YouTube

U.S. Presidency of the G20–An Opportunity to Champion Human Rights youtube.com/live/1kjwq0Znw… via @YouTube

Today is the anniversary of the assassination of Boris Nemtsov, the Russian opposition leader who dedicated his life to building a free and democratic Russia. We continue to honor his legacy and activists in Russia who follow his example.