03/02/2021 United States (International Christian Concern) – U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Chris Coons (D-DE), who currently serve as the co-chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, introduced a dynamic piece of legislation to establish a Senate Human Rights Commission. This commission, as proposed, will be modeled after the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in the U.S. House of Representatives. The resolution would establish the commission in a bipartisan fashion that will examine various human rights violations around the world. The commission would do this through regular briefings and events, and would actively promote human rights initiatives in the Senate.
Several other Senators joined the introduction, including Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and James Lankford (R-OK).
The resolution has wide ranging support from civil society and various stakeholders who actively work to advance Human Rights around the world.
Matias Perttula, Director of Advocacy for International Christian Concern, said “I look forward to seeing this resolution pass the Senate with substantial bipartisan support. This commission has the potential to champion religious freedom priorities around the world, and I hope they will ensure that all individuals, including traditional Christians, have the freedom to follow their faith convictions in living out their lives.”
The current senate human rights caucus has less influence on the issues of human rights. By making the caucus into an official commission, the group now has the power to hold official hearings and hire staff to help manage various projects. With this commission, the United States Senate will make a clear statement to the world that the U.S. stands for freedom and for the rights of all humankind.
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