WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, May 16, 2017, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Chris Coons (D-DE), Co-Chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, launched the Senate Human Right Caucus for the 115th Congress. The opening reception for the Caucus launch featured a keynote address by Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Senate Human Rights Caucus is a bipartisan effort led by Senator Coons and Senator Tillis to highlight the importance of human rights in U.S. foreign policy. The mission of the Caucus is to defend and advocate internationally recognized human rights norms around the world and contribute to global leadership in promoting and protecting human rights.
“Congress has a proud history of promoting fundamental freedoms and serving as a voice for those who have been silenced. That is why we continue to write and pass legislation that supports the right of everyone around the world to enjoy the same freedoms that we often take for granted,” said Senator Coons. “Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois and I formed the Human Rights Caucus in 2014 to build support for efforts in Congress to protect fundamental human rights and to create a platform to highlight human rights issues. I am thrilled that Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina will be joining me as co-chair for the 115th Congress.”
“I am honored to join Senator Chris Coons as co-chair of the Human Rights Caucus for the 115th Congress,” said Senator Tillis. “It is more important than ever that Congress defend internationally recognized human rights, and I look forward to ensure the United States continues to be a leader in promoting and protecting fundamental freedoms."
BACKGROUND:
Launched in 2014 by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and former Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), the U.S. Senate Human Rights Caucus follows the legacy of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, formerly known as the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, in its efforts to shed light on global human rights issues. By holding briefings and other events, the Caucus is able to respond quickly to crises around the world with timely information and details while also bringing Congressional-level attention to human rights issues. The Senate Human Rights Caucus holds staff-level briefings on key topics as well as Member-level events to highlight human rights issues. The Caucus also works in partnership with the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on initiatives to maximize the impact of our efforts to highlight human rights issues globally.
Previously, the Senate Human Rights Caucus has hosted events with expert panels on the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities at the hands of ISIS, the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, the global refugee crisis and refugee protection, and media freedom in Russia.
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