Chairman Royce on the hearing:  “Human rights violations are on the rise around the world.  In Iran, the courts carry out public amputations and floggings.  In Putin’s Russia, journalists are jailed for exposing government corruption and reporting the facts.  In failed states like Syria, we’ve seen abhorrent treatment of civilians, including genocide.  We’ve even seen backsliding in respect for human rights among established democracies.  These are disturbing trends, and this hearing will seek answers on how the U.S. should respond.”

Opening Statements

Full text of Chairman Ed Royce’s opening statement

Witnesses


The Honorable Mark P. Lagon
President
Freedom House
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Thomas Farr, Ph.D.
President
Religious Freedom Institute
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Ms. Amanda Schnetzer
Director
Human Freedom Initiative
The George W. Bush Institute
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Mr. Mark Bromley
Chair
The Council for Global Equality
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

____________________________

Hearing transcript (PDF)