Congresswoman Torres & Congressman McGovern Lead House Introduction of Bicameral Bill to Protect Human Rights Defenders Worldwide
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02) today announced the introduction of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act of 2024—cosponsored by Representatives Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and Jason Crow (CO-06). This bicameral legislation enhances the United States’ ability to protect individuals abroad who are attacked for peacefully defending human rights and democracy. The legislation will bolster the U.S. Government’s capacity to support human rights defenders in their efforts, including by establishing an interagency framework for doing so that will live beyond any one administration.
“Free speech is the bedrock of democracy, and the United States must do everything in its power to support those fighting for these basic rights across the globe. The Human Rights Defenders Protection Act implements a whole-of-government approach to support human rights defenders worldwide, providing much-needed resources and support for those fighting against corrupt actors,” said Congresswoman Torres. “Those fighting for democracy like José Rubén Zamora in Guatemala need and deserve our full support as they risk their lives and livelihoods for their communities. For those around the world fighting against corruption and in support of democracy, know that the United States has your back.”
“Today I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act of 2024,” said Congressman McGovern. “We know how important human rights defenders are, and U.S. government officials often speak out in their defense all around the world. It’s good that we talk the talk, but we need to do more—we need to walk the walk. This bill makes absolutely clear that human rights defenders are key for U.S. interests by requiring concrete measures to integrate support for human rights defenders into U.S. assistance and activities abroad, assisting advocates who are forced into exile, working to end impunity for reprisals against defenders and engaging with the private sector to support and protect them. The bill’s comprehensive approach is exactly what we need to counter rising threats and attacks against human rights defenders worldwide and in every sector.”
“The struggle for liberal democracy is global, and it depends upon human rights champions in the United States and all over the world,” said Congressman Raskin. “I’m pleased to join Senator Cardin, Representative McGovern and other partners in this effort to ensure the United States mobilizes our resources to protect human rights and democracy defenders against persecution and prosecution across the globe.”
“In so many parts of the world, people risk their lives and livelihoods to defend human rights. I am so proud to be an original cosponsor of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act, which would help center the safety of these courageous activists in US foreign policy. I am grateful to Congressman McGovern and Chairman Cardin for their extraordinary leadership on this bill,” said Congresswoman Omar.
“Human rights defenders across the globe fight for freedom and democracy and supporting them is essential,” said Congressman Crow. “This bill would require a global strategy to protect human rights defenders, provide them a visa pathway to escape urgent threats, expand human rights reporting, and further support democracy advocates at risk. The US stands firmly behind them.”
In the Senate, the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act was introduced by U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Peter Welch (D-VT).
“Human rights defenders are heroes in the fight for democracy and freedom,” said Chair Cardin. “Yet, attacks against them are rapidly growing around the world, underscoring an urgent and critical need for the United States to do more to protect and support them. The Human Rights Defenders Protection Act will help elevate, guide, and enhance U.S. efforts to support these courageous individuals globally at a time when their efforts are more important than ever. I’d like to thank my colleagues in Congress for cosponsoring this crucial legislation, as well as our dedicated partner organizations across the global human rights community for their years of dedication and support behind this effort.”
"At a time when human rights defenders are under attack all over the world, it is encouraging to see such a strong bill being introduced to the floor of the Senate,” said Mary Lawlor, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. “If enacted, this bill would be of great support to the women and men who face risks daily as they protect and promote the universally recognised human rights of others."
“Human rights defenders are under threat on every continent,” said Sarah Yager, Washington Director at Human Rights Watch. “This bill not only shows US support for their invaluable work but would make a real difference in their lives when they’re at risk of being detained, arrested, or worse. Instead of more Washington platitudes about defending the defenders, this bill launches tangible and much-needed efforts to protect people on the frontlines of human rights. Any Member of Congress that cares about human rights, no matter their political affiliation, should be able to get behind this bill.”
“This pivotal bill represents an important step forward in advancing a whole-of-government approach to protecting at-risk defenders and resourcing their vital work towards a just and fair global society,” said Tawanda Mutasah, Oxfam’s America Vice President of Global Partnerships and Impact. “Human rights defenders are critical in driving a just energy transition, upholding the rights of minority communities, countering democratic backsliding, and creating accountable and transparent systems of government. Oxfam America is proud to support the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act as we can only achieve a human rights-centered foreign policy if protections for at-risk rights defenders are viewed as an essential priority.”
“The Human Rights Defenders Protection Act of 2024 is a critical piece of legislation that will help strengthen and improve the U.S. government’s ability to support human rights defenders around the world,” said Andrew Fandino, Advocacy Director for the Individuals at Risk Program at Amnesty International USA. “With over 401 human rights defenders killed globally in 2022 alone, now more than ever, human rights defenders need this additional support and protection.”
“We welcome introduction of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act, which would strengthen the United States’ ability to support human rights defenders (HRDs) around the world,” said Annie Boyajian, Vice President for Policy and Advocacy at Freedom House. “HRDs are on the frontlines of the struggle for freedom, working tirelessly to create a world that is safer and more prosperous for us all. All too often, they come under threat for this courageous work. The bill’s creation of a special visa for HRDs would enable them to temporarily continue their work in the United States until it becomes safe for them to return home – a powerful option that both supports HRDs and furthers efforts to counter authoritarianism. We urge Congress to pass this important legislation.”
"The Human Rights Defenders Protection Act addresses a significant gap in U.S. foreign policy. To respond effectively to rising authoritarianism, unchecked climate change, and transnational repression, we need to do more to protect the courageous people on the frontlines of these crises who are risking their lives to catalyze reforms," said Kirk Herbertson, Senior Policy Advisor at EarthRights International. "Chairman Cardin's legislation provides the U.S. government with the tools it needs to better support the civil society activists, journalists, and concerned citizens who are helping to save our planet."
“This legislation signals a vital recognition by the U.S. of HRDs’ work as a force for stability and peace across the world. Protecting them helps protect us all," said Brian Dooley, Senior Advisor at Human Rights First.
The Human Rights Defenders Protection Act of 2024 will:
- Require a whole-of-government approach to ensure support for human rights defenders and their protection from attacks is part of U.S. bilateral and multilateral diplomatic, development, defense, economic, security assistance, and anti-corruption activities
- Create a new, limited visa category to provide up to 500 at-risk human rights defenders with a multiple-entry, multi-year visa to the United States to ensure such individuals are able to safely continue their work from abroad before returning home when it is safe to do so
- Require a global strategy for human rights defenders to bolster the ability of U.S. embassies and missions to protect human rights defenders, assess available tools and resources, and reduce impunity for attacks
- Require the State Department to reclassify to higher levels at least ten human rights officers at missions and embassies facing complex democracy and human rights crises.
- Expand the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program through which the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) hosts up to 20 at-risk human rights defenders annually to conduct independent research, outreach, and exchange in the United States
- Equip diplomats with the tools they need to respond effectively to attacks on human rights defenders by ensuring that human rights defender issues are included in each mission’s integrated country strategy and provide diplomats with the monitoring, training, reporting, and coordination tools they need to respond more effectively
- Codify and strengthen existing efforts, including important guidance from the Biden administration’s Guidelines for U.S. Diplomatic Support to Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders
- Improve protections for human rights defenders at multilateral and regional bodies including the United Nations
- Authorize $20 million each year from FY 2024 through FY2028 to carry out this work