NEWS

House Foreign Affairs Committee

U.S. House of Representatives

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman

For IMMEDIATE Release – December 9, 2012

Responsible Nations Must Stand in Solidarity with the Victims of Human Rights Abusers, Ros-Lehtinen Says International Human Rights Day Recognized Monday

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on Monday’s commemoration of Human Rights Day.  Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“As we commemorate Human Rights Day, let us not forget the millions who continue to suffer and endure the violent oppression by brutal dictators and authoritarian states.

“From Assad’s forces killing thousands of civilians in Syria, to the beatings and unlawful detentions of activists in Russia, to civil society organizations such as the Ladies in White in Cuba being beaten and imprisoned, rogue regimes continue to oppress innocent citizens across the world. Ironically, some of the worst offenders of human rights, such as Cuba, Venezuela, China, and Russia, have had the audacity to sit as members on the United Nations Human Rights Council. Responsible nations must not allow this body to continue to be used as a vehicle by these entities to further tighten their grasp over their citizens.

“We as Americans know first-hand the blessings of freedom and we must stand in unwavering solidarity with the victims of these gross human rights abuses and condemn regimes who are adamant human rights violators. It is my sincere hope that responsible democratic nations heed this calling and express their renewed commitment to speaking for the abused and holding those responsible for these atrocities accountable.”

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