In December 2012, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, in conjunction with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and Amnesty International USA, launched the Defending Freedoms Project with the aim of supporting human rights and religious freedom throughout the world with a particular focus on prisoners of conscience.
Specifically, Members of Congress “adopt” prisoners of conscience, standing in solidarity with these brave men and women, while committing to advocate publicly for their release.
Prisoner of Conscience | Country | Congressioanal Advocate |
---|---|---|
The Panchen Lama |
China |
Representative McGovern |
Gulmira Imin |
China |
None |
Zhang Shaojie |
China |
Representative Meadows |
Alimujiang Yimiti | China |
Representative Allen |
Gao Zhisheng
|
China | None |
Bishop James Su Zhimin
|
China | None |
|
Eritrea | None |
Ayatollah Mohammad Kazemeini
|
Iran | None |
Ivan Matsitsky |
Russia | None |
Raif Badawi |
Saudi Arabia |
Representative McGovern |
The Most Venerable Thich Quang Do |
Vietnam |
Representative Lowenthal |
More information on the Defending Freedoms Project.