"Chair Cardin Introduces Legislation to Protect Human Rights Defenders Worldwide", 31 January 2024

...U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and author of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, along with Representative Jim McGovern (D-Mass.-02) and Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), introduced the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act of 2024. The 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.

“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.”...