5 Comments
User's avatar
⭠ Return to thread
Maenad's avatar

Done and shared. Michael, please advise on what today’s Congressional hearing is about, “Governments Repressing Dissenters Abroad.” All the wrong people are saying all the right things so after last week it’s esp. eerie. Who is this Freedom House?

Expand full comment
allynh's avatar

I can't find the Hearing you mentioned, “Governments Repressing Dissenters Abroad.”

- Do you have a link?

I've been watching a bunch of Hearings lately. Dull, boring, and terrifying, all at the same time.

Thanks...

Expand full comment
Maenad's avatar

On C-SPAN. https://www.c-span.org/video/?532251-1/hearing-transnational-repression

Hearing on Transnational Repression

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on foreign governments that repress dissenters abroad with intimidation and violence, and how the U.S. government can more effectively counter this threat. The witnesses were Christo Grozev, a Bulgarian investigative journalist targeted by Russia because of his work; Michael Abramowitz, president of Freedom House; and Caoilfhionn Gallagher, an Irish barrister representing jailed Hong Kong pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai. According to Mr. Abramowitz, the top 10 countries that engage in transnational oppression are China, Turkey, Tajikistan, Egypt, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Belarus, and Rwanda--with China responsible for 30% of all cases. Mr. Grozev recommended that the U.S. take a leading role to help coordinate international law enforcement on this issue, saying, “transnational crime must be fought with transnational measures,” a thought that was echoed by Ms. Gallagher.”

Expand full comment
allynh's avatar

Thanks for the link. I'll watch it next.

Your question about Freedom House had me google the name and I found Abramowitz and their statement.

It does seem ironic that the Senate Democrats are ready to protect the rights of people in other countries, but not here in the US.

I suspect that I'm being pissy. I'm just finishing watching:

Oversight of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRK9NUjqUdI

The woman in charge upset me greatly.

Expand full comment
Maenad's avatar

I'm highly cynical about any of their stated concern for human rights. They've been meddling in nonaligned nations forever and utterly dismissive of democracy. Firstly, where are our rights?

Expand full comment