Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 6d

13 years ago, Khalil Maatouk, a Syrian human rights lawyer disappeared on his way to work. He has not been seen since 2013. At the time of his disappearance, his health was in poor condition.
Senator Ted Budd is his #DefendingFreedoms advocate.

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 7d

#InternationalDayOfOlderPersons reminds us that the ability to exercise human rights do not diminish with age. We honor the wisdom & contributions of older persons. Protecting their rights means ensuring dignity, care & inclusion for every generation.

2025 UNIDOP On "Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, Our Rights" | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD)

35th United Nations International Day of Older Persons Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action:Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, Our Rights Wednesday, 1 October 2025 10:00 AM - 1:00 PMECOSOC…

social.desa.un.org

1

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 9d

10 years ago yesterday, Buzurgmehr Yorov was arrested without just cause after representing political opposition in court. He is serving a 28-year prison sentence. Tajikistan must release him immediately & without conditions. #DefendingFreedoms

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 13d

Today, Ales Bialiatski celebrates his 63rd birthday in a Belarusian prison. He is serving a 10-year sentence on politically motivated charges for his work on human rights. Belarus must release him immediately & unconditionally.
@repcohen.bsky.social is his #DefendingFreedoms advocate.

3 7

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 14d

In 2008, Congress passed the authorizing resolution for the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, strengthening bipartisan efforts to defend human rights. Today, we continue that mandate by educating Congress & the public and advocating for those whose rights are under threat.

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 15d

11 years ago today, economist and Uyghur rights defender Ilham Tohti was sentenced to life in prison for promoting cultural understanding between Uyghurs & Han Chinese. China must release him immediately & unconditionally.
@amo.house.gov is his #DefendingFreedoms advocate.

1

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 15d

Today marks 24 years since the arrest of Dawit Isaak in Eritrea for his journalism. He is the world’s longest-imprisoned journalist, held incommunicado without charges. Eritrea must immediately and unconditionally clarify his status and release him. #DefendingFreedoms

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 20d

Today, Dr. Hatoon al-Fassi celebrates her birthday. Detained in 2018 for her women’s rights activism in Saudi Arabia, she remains at risk of imprisonment despite her temporary release. Saudi authorities must drop all charges against her immediately and without conditions.

1

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 22d

5 years ago today, Crimean Tatar activist Timur Ibragimov was sentenced to 17 years in prison on fabricated charges. Detained for reporting on raids and trials in Crimea, his health is deteriorating in Russian custody. He must be released immediately & without conditions.

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 23d

On #DemocracyDay, we affirm that democracy & human rights are inseparable. Protecting freedoms of expression, participation & equality is essential to ensure every voice is heard. Human rights are the foundation on which lasting democracies are built.
www.un.org/en/observanc...

International Day of Democracy | United Nations

The International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world. Democracy is as much a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of and support…

www.un.org

1

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 26d

Democracy advocate Gubad Ibadoghlu celebrates his 54th birthday today under house arrest in Azerbaijan. Despite serious health concerns & international calls for his release, he remains unjustly held. We call on Azerbaijan to release him immediately and without conditions.

1

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 28d

On September 9th, a court in Baku unjustly denied the appeal of @rferl.org.web.brid.gy journalist Farid Mehralizada, who faces a nine-year prison sentence. We strongly condemn this decision and call for his immediate and unconditional release.

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 28d

Materials from the hearing “Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications” along with a recording of the hearing, are now available on our website:
humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications

Hearing NoticePlease join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on foreign NGO laws.

humanrightscommission.house.gov

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · 29d

TODAY: Please join us today, Tuesday, September 9 at 2:00 pm EST for a hearing on Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs.

humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications

Hearing NoticePlease join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on foreign NGO laws.

humanrightscommission.house.gov

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · Sep 8

Please join us tomorrow, Tuesday, September 9 at 2:00 pm EST for a hearing on Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs.

humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · Sep 7

Journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza celebrated his 44th birthday today. Once jailed for denouncing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he was freed in a prisoner swap in August 2024. Reporting is not a crime—We must protect journalists everywhere.

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · Sep 5

Today marks the anniversary of the 2021 arrests of Nariman Celal & Asan Akhtemov. Nariman is now Ukraine’s ambassador to Turkey, but Asan remains imprisoned on politically motivated charges. Russia must release him immediately and unconditionally. #CrimeaTatars #DefendingFreedoms

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · Sep 3

Please join us Tuesday, September 9 at 2:00 pm EST for a hearing on Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs.

humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...

Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications

Hearing NoticePlease join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on foreign NGO laws.

humanrightscommission.house.gov

1 2

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · Aug 28

Osman Arifmemetov turns 40 today. He is serving a 14-year prison sentence on politically motivated terrorism charges for reporting on Russia’s rights violations in occupied Crimea. Russia must release him immediately and unconditionally. #DefendingFreedoms

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · Aug 25

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the attacks on the Rohingya in Burma. Genocidal violence left thousands dead and more than 700,000 displaced. The crisis continues and urgent funding & support are needed to protect and assist affected communities.
news.un.org/en/focus/roh...

Rohingya Refugee Crisis

Today, nearly one million Rohingya refugees continue to live in dire conditions … addressing the root causes of systematic discrimination, disenfranchisement and communal violence in Myanmar is…

news.un.org

1

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · Aug 19

According to the Aid Worker Security Database, 383 aid workers were killed in 2024—the highest on record. Hundreds more were injured, kidnapped, or detained. Attacks rise as accountability is absent. Protecting humanitarians protects those they serve. aidworkersecurity.org

Aid Worker Security Database | Aid Worker Security Database

aidworkersecurity.org

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · Aug 19

On #WorldHumanitarianDay, we honor those who risk their lives to save others. We must #ActForHumanity to protect aid workers, uphold international law, and ensure lifesaving assistance reaches those who need it most.
www.un.org/en/observanc...

World Humanitarian Day | United Nations

World Humanitarian Day is a global celebration of people helping people. It is intended to raise public awareness of humanitarian assistance worldwide and the people who risk their lives in order to p...

www.un.org

1

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · Aug 14

Twelve years ago, Shawkan was unjustly arrested. After serving his full sentence, he was released—only to face harsh probation, forced to report to a police station daily from 6 PM to 6 AM. No journalist should be punished for doing their job. #PressFreedom

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · Aug 13

92-year-old #Bahai leader, Jamaloddin Khanjani, and his daughter Maria were arrested on August 13, 2023 for reasons unknown. Mr. Khanjani was previously imprisoned for his leadership role from 2008-2018. Iran must release them immediately & without conditions. #DefendingFreedoms

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission @tlhumanrights.bsky.social · Aug 13

Gao Zhisheng is an award-winning human rights lawyer who disappeared in 2017. He is known for his work representing high profile cases related to religious freedom in court.
China must clarify his status & release him immediately & without conditions. #DefendingFreedoms