Sam Brownback
@SamuelBrownback
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Personal account. Served as @IRF_Ambassador. Former Governor of Kansas and US Senator. Banned from China for advocating for human rights.
Joined December 2020
Azerbaijan must lift the blockade of Armenian Christians immediately. This is a strangulation of a historic community. If Azerbaijan fails to do so, @POTUS should not waive the 907 sanctions. These sanctions should be implemented. #savekarabakh.
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I denounce in the strongest possible terms this unprovoked attack by Azerbaijan on the peaceful Armenian Christians of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsak)! This is wrong. It is an attack on civilians and it must cease immediately. #SaveKarabakh.
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Imran Khan and his wife should be released immediately. They shouldn't be in prison after they were acquitted. His future is a political matter that should be decided by the people, not the government. This is a sad day for the rule of law in #Pakistan.
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With Turkey's help, Azerbaijan has blocked the free flow of aid and people in and out of the Christian enclave of Karabakh. Both countries must face consequences for their actions. @POTUS should stand on principle, not diplomatic expediency. #SaveKarabakh.
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Proud to support the brave Iranians fighting for their freedom. US policy should do the same, not appease the mullahs. As Tehran loses its grip on the country, US should support breakaway provinces who want freedom. @iran_policy #IranRevolution
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Saddened to learn of the passing of Fethullah Gülen. He and his followers have been targeted and wrongly branded as terrorists by the Turkish government, persecuted and imprisoned. Civil liberties there have diminished for everyone. Respect for the rule of law must be restored.
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I am deeply concerned about #Azerbaijan invading #Armenia. It attacked ethnic Armenians in September and has continued making threats. After rejecting peace talks last week, they now say they want to negotiate. If they set the talks up to fail, it makes an attack more probable.
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The world does care about the Uyghur genocide in #China. Big businesses must stop propping up and making excuses for the Chinese dictatorship. #StopUyghurGenocide #CCPChina.
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It is getting progressively worse for Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Lanchin Corridor is closed, in spite of an agreement to keep it open. Azerbaijan must be sanctioned for their humanitarian abuses before it gets even worse. #SaveKarabakh.
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The Christian population of Nagorno-Karabakh should not be forced from their homeland. Azerbaijan should permanently lift its blockade. #SaveKarabakh.
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Deeply troubled by the closure of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan. Armenian families in Karabakh are facing starvation as shelves are empty, medicine has run out, and power has been cut. Who is willing to #savekarabakh?.
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Armenian Christians are being strangled by Azerbaijan. The US must exert all the pressure and influence it has to save this endangered population from being starved and eventually driven from their homes.
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If you can't be trusted to allow the free flow of safe communications for Olympic athletes and guests, maybe you shouldn't be hosting the Olympics. #China #Beijing2022.
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Reports of the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Karabakh is highly disturbing. Azerbaijan should allow @UNESCO to investigate the status of cultural and religious heritage in Karabakh immediately.
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Now is not the time for ambiguity in America's foreign policy. @POTUS must make clear that aggression by #Azerbaijan against #Armenia will NOT be tolerated. Enforcing sanctions on military aid is only a start. @SecDef needs to visit Armenia immediately.
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The US and ICJ have recognized #Azerbaijan's responsibility for the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh and .called on them to resolve the crisis. They refuse to do so, displaying confidence the U.S. will not hold them accountable. We should call their bluff.
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Visiting the eternal flame at the #ArmenianGenocide Memorial Complex today at Tsitsernakaberd. An estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed between 1915 and 1922.
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The US must use every tool at its disposal to prevent a humanitarian disaster in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Section 907 waiver presents the perfect opportunity to force Azerbaijan to end its chokehold on the region. #SaveKarabakh.
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Attended a racial reconciliation gathering in Kansas City today where @drtonyevans spoke. #UniteKC is doing a great job in leading this critical discussion.
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I'm calling on Rwandan President Kagame to drop false accusations of terrorism against Paul Rusesabagina, the hero of hotel Rwanda, and end this sham trial. The world is watching.
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I commend the Senate for passing the #Armenia Protection Act. It's hard for anything to pass unanimously but this is a common sense response to threats and attacks on a democratic nation by a dictatorship. The US should not support #Azerbaijan's war machine. #120000Reasons.
The House should act quickly to pass the #Armenia Protection Act and send a clear signal to Azerbaijan that aggression against its neighbor will not be tolerated by the United States. America must stand with democratic Armenia. #120000Reasons.
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120,000 Armenian Christians have been displaced from their ancestral homeland by Azerbaijan aggression. Thank you @RealAmVoice and @charliekirk11 for helping spread awareness of their plight and the risk #Armenia faces from Azerbaijan. @120000Reasons.
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We were viewing the area of a direct attack into Armenia by Azerbaijan. This was a significant escalation of the conflict and a move of aggression by Turkish-backed Azerbaijan.
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The Iranian people deserve so much more than their government is giving them. They are proud and brave and deserve their freedom.
Travelled to Albania today to speak with the Iranian community there. They are right to resist the mullahs and work to deliver what the Iranian people are demanding and protesting for: freeing Iran’s citizens from the regime's tyrannical yoke. #FreeIran2022.
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So disappointed to hear this news. @antonioguterres talks about justice, equality, dignity and human rights for all on #HumanRightsDay but then turns around and plans to attend #Beijing2022 as guest of a brutal, genocidal regime. Totally undermines @UN.
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Whatever other considerations are preventing @POTUS from intervening to stop #Azerbaijan's assault on Armenians, he should prepare himself for the possibility of having an ethnic cleansing on his conscience. #Armenia.
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Very alarming that not even the @ICRC can get humanitarian supplies into Nagorno-Karabakh. The Red Cross was able to do medical evacuations until Azerbaijan arrested an evacuee last week and now even those are suspended. #SaveKarabakh.
🧵 Despite persistent efforts, we are currently unable to deliver aid via the Lachin corridor & other routes, including Aghdam. With these convoys blocked, our concern is that the humanitarian situation will further deteriorate.
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I was sanctioned by #CCPChina in 2020 with several Members of Congress for defending human rights in #China. This is the Chinese playbook. Distract from the atrocities they commit and hope people forget. We must never forget. We must always remember. #StoptheGenocide.
Sanctions against @USCIRF members will not hide or distract the world from the PRC’s human rights violations and atrocities in Xinjiang, including the ongoing genocide.
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A genocide of Christians and Yezides happened when we pulled back troops from northern Iraq. A genocide of religious minorities is now highly likely in Afghanistan. They must be allowed safe passage out of the country now before it is too late!.
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This disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan was completely avoidable. I am troubled that it will be Afghani religious minorites that suffer the most, just as in northern Iraq when ISIS took control.
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Beijing is turning once free Hong Kong into a dark police state at lightning speed. This is how China’s Communist Party wants to rule the world - Xinjiang comes to Hong Kong.
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The House should act quickly to pass the #Armenia Protection Act and send a clear signal to Azerbaijan that aggression against its neighbor will not be tolerated by the United States. America must stand with democratic Armenia. #120000Reasons.
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Such a lost opportunity. @mbachelet fundamentally failed to do her job and the oppressed people of China paid the price. Great article by @benedictrogers.
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United Nations leadership is caving to #China pressure and turning a blind eye to #UyghurGenocide. This is an ongoing tragedy and demands action but @UN leadership stays silent. If @antonioguterres sees nothing wrong with genocide then UN membership should demand answer to why?.
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Disgusting that after slaughtering innocent Israelis, Hamas takes the time to support #Azerbaijan and her war against Armenian Christians. Azerbaijan should renounce terrorist support. #120000Reasons.
CONFIRMED BY TURKISH STATE MEDIA: . Hamas supports The Aliyev Regime. While attacking Israeli civilians the terrorist group Hamas congratulated Aliyev for his invasion of Artsakh, which has displaced 120,000 Christians from their ancestral homeland right before Winter.
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This #ArmenianGenocideRemembranceDay we must commit to making sure it never happens again. It's easy to say that but last year 120,000 Armenian Christians were displaced from their ancestral homeland by Azerbaijan aggression. Our promise to remember can't be empty words.
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The violence against Christians continues in Nigeria. This situation needs to be addressed by the incoming Trump Administration's State Department.
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Dr. Hampar Kelikian, a refugee from the #ArmenianGenocide, treated a badly injured soldier named Bob Dole after World War II and became like a second father to him. Senator Dole's friendship with him extended to all the Armenian people. @ArmGenocide100
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I am glad the new Trump Administration will take the threat from #Iran seriously. They are a terrorist state behind the war in the Middle East and the US is right to bring maximum pressure to bear on their dictatorial regime.
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With the rise of religious persecution around the world, it is more important than ever that we respect the views of people of faith. I hope Finland will respect MP Päivi Räsänen's freedom of belief.
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Elections in the mullahs' Iran are a sham with preapproved candidates and any voices of dissent imprisoned or worse. The Iranian people boycott and protest because their vote is for freedom and regime change. One day they will be free. #IranElections2024 .
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You fight evil, you don't negotiate with it. The Vatican should not extend its agreement with China's government on appointing bishops when it comes up for renewal. #CCPChina is hostile to religion, not a trusted partner. @benedictrogers @hk_watch .
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I commend @POTUS on recognizing the Armenian Genocide, which was perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against the regions Christians. An important step towards justice has been taken.
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Religious persecution is running rampant around the world. The US needs an Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom now, without further delay. The Senate should confirm Rashad Hussain as soon as possible so that he can get to work. #internationalreligiousfreedom.
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Saddened to learn of this heinous attack on the Ahmadiyya community. Everyone everywhere should be able to worship in safety. The #BurkinaFaso.government should do everything it can to bring these terrorists to justice.
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The @StateDept should grant visas to Afghan religious minorites so they can leave the country immediately. This is a life or death matter.
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Honored to have @sikunyou join #IRFSummit2023. Taiwan shows how quickly a nation can establish a strong democracy committed to personal liberties. They stand as a beacon of freedom in stark contrast to #ChinaCCP.
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Commend @USCIRF for recommending #Azerbaijan be listed as a Country of Particular Concern because of its religious and ethnic cleansing in #NagornoKarabakh. Now Azerbaijan threatens invasion of its Christian neighbor, Armenia. This must be stopped!.
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We must continue to strengthen our resolve in support of #Ukraine. One thing that must be done immediately is to cut the financing of the Russian war machine. End Russia’s access to SWIFT and the global finance system! #BanRussiafromSwift.
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The US has great influence over #Azerbaijan but did nothing when it ethnically cleansed Armenian Christians from Nagorno-Karabakh. @StateDept should accept @USCIRF recommendation to list Azerbaijan as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom.
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I know @benedictrogers and am proud to be a Patron of @hk_watch. Benedict and Hong Kong Watch are tireless defenders of democracy and freedom for the people of Hong Kong. It is unbelievable that the Chinese government would try to shut down such a reputable group.
My new op-ed, just out, about #HongKong #CCP #NationalSecurityLaw threats to me and @hk_watch . #StandWithHongKong . Beijing is stepping up its war on freedom
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This is the six year old son of a Chinese prisoner of conscious. He's showing a picture he drew of his Dad, who he's never met and is currently serving 19 years in prison. His crime that warranted such a sentence? He stood up for the #Uyghurs. #StopUyghurGenocide @chinaaid
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Glad to see international support for #MohammadJavad. He should be freed immediately, not executed. Sadly, the ruling mullahs think the Iranian people are the enemy. Rather than protecting their citizens, they terrorize them. #IranProtests.
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If China doesn't like being accused of crimes against humanity, the Chinese Communist Party can avoid it by stopping their genocidal policies against its Uyghur population. Like most bullies the #CCP acts strong to hide its weakness.
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Without dramatic action, there will be a genocide of religious minorities in #Afghanistan within the next year. This is wholly preventable. The US government must do more to help them escape the Taliban. We must not forget their plight and the danger they face for their faith.
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Pakistan is following the China model with its enforcement of blasphemy laws. We should be sanctioning Pakistani officials to send a clear message to other countries tempted to limit internet freedom as a means of religious persecution.
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Today is International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief but it isn't enough to just remember the persecuted. We must do all we can to ensure that people are free to live their faith as they see fit without the fear of violence.
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It is a privilege and an honor to support the important work of @hk_watch and to serve as a patron. The people of Hong Kong deserve to live in freedom and under respect for human rights.
NEW: We are privileged and honoured to welcome new patrons to Hong Kong Watch including: . US: .The President of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) @AmbDMitchell . The former US Ambassador-at-Large for Intl Religious Freedom @SamuelBrownback. 1/2.
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On this date in 1998 the International Religious Freedom Act became law. So much remains to be done but the fight is engaged. We must continue to pursue religious freedom for everyone, everywhere. We must protect this basic liberty. #InternationalReligiousFreedomDay.
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Hong Kong's legal system has become a farce in recent years and that is on display with Cardinal Zen's arrest. His trial begins today. Anything other than a swift acquittal will be proof that the Chinese Communist Party has weaponized Hong Kong's courts.
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Honored to speak with @ARAMAC_DC today about protecting #Armenia from hostile neighbors and avoiding another #ArmenianGenocide. Armenia is a pro-Western democracy, the world's oldest Christian country and deserving of American support. #SaveArmenia
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After a year of Taliban rule following the disastrous US withdrawal from Afghanistan, religious minorities are experiencing genocide. Christians are in hiding. Soon there will be no Sikhs or Hindus left in the country. Horrible humanitarian situation that shouldn't have happened.
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The recommendation by @USCIRF that Azerbaijan be listed as a Country of Particular Concern should be a wake-up call for the United States and @StateDept that it can no longer ignore geopolitical unrest Azerbaijan is causing in the region. @SaveArmeniaUS .
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While I applaud adding #Azerbaijan to the CPC list for its actions in #NagornoKarabakh, it defies logic that #Nigeria was NOT. Religious minorities continue to be slaughtered and the government is either unable or unwilling to stop it. The US must take action to stop the killing.
USCIRF calls for a congressional hearing after reiterating its extreme disappointment that the U.S. @StateDept yet again failed to designate #Nigeria and #India as #CPCs, despite both countries repeatedly meeting the legal standard.
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Sad to hear of Joe Lieberman's passing. He was a great man, always willing to work across the aisle and do what he felt was right. He was a proud American and staunch defender of Israel. Proud to call him a friend.
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Iran is a great nation that suffers under a dictatorship. President Raisi should not have been allowed to address the UN today. Instead he should be tried for crimes against his own people. Proud to join Iranian patriots today and demand justice. #ProsecuteRaisiNOW
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Excited for the opportunity to join the team @OpenDoors as a Senior Fellow. Events in Afghanistan show us that religious persecution can be a matter of life and death and I'm honored to work together to advance the cause of religious freedom.
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Embarrassing that even on her way out the door @mbachelet can't call China's treatment of Uyghurs a genocide. She finally recognized the CCP has committed "serious human rights violations." @UNHumanRights must take a stand if it is to have credibility.
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Every democratic nation should observe a diplomatic boycott of the #Beijing2022 Olympics. Attending gives tacit approval to China's genocidal policies. The West cannot celebrate the Games while the host murders its own people. #NoRightsNoShow #StoptheGenocide #StopUyghurGenocide.
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Glad to see agreement on Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and pledge from @POTUS to sign it. Stopping #UyghurGenocide isn't a partisan issue as a unanimous House vote shows. Look forward to quick approval in the Senate. #China must be held accountable.
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Many moving stories about the heinous crimes committed by the Iranian regime against its own citizens. Citizens it should have protected but instead murdered. This strong woman lost family, including sons. President Raisi shouldn't have been allowed in the US. #ProsecuteRaisiNOW
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This is a great victory for religious freedom and free speech but it is sad this baseless prosecution went so far. @PaiviRasanen never threatened or attacked anyone, she simply shared her faith. That should never be considered a criminal offense. #religiousfreedom.
BREAKING: FREE SPEECH VICTORY FOR FINNISH POLITICIAN ON TRIAL FOR A BIBLE VERSE TWEET!!. The Helsinki District Court has ruled UNANIMOUSLY that @PaiviRasanen and Bishop Pohjola are NOT GUILTY of "hate speech". Reactions & more in our PRESS RELEASE:
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It's a promising development when we see a geopolitical shift by countries traditionally in Russia's sphere of influence but alarmed by Moscow's irrational and hostile foreign policy.
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The Dutch Parliament has take an important step designating the actions of the CCP against Uyghur Muslims as a genocide. Other EU members should follow their example.
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The people of #Ukraine want their own country and their own Orthodox Church. Vladimir Putin is angry that the Ukrainian church has broken away from the Russian Orthodox Church. No amount of force will ever succeed in controlling the Church. The Faithful will prevail in the end.
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Alarming that democratic rights are being denied in #Pakistan due to religion in next week's elections. No one, including Ahmadiyya Muslims, should be denied the ability to vote due to their faith.
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Great victory for justice and religious freedom in Nigeria. It is a shame she lost 19 months of her life to intolerance.
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Congratulations to the four appointees the Biden Administration announced for critical International Religious Freedom positions. IRF should remain a bipartisan effort to help suffering faithful in every corner of the globe. Together we can get it done.
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Thanks to Armenian Ambassador @LilitMakunts for hosting a roundtable discussion on the challenges facing her country and what Americans can do to help. #Armenia is a democracy threatened by a hostile neighbor and needs help with its persecuted Christian refugees. @SaveArmeniaUS
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Unbelievable that the Indian government would ban foreign donations to an organization founded by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Mother Teresa. This misguided action only hurts the people of India. Charities should be allowed to help people in need. #India
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The religious cleansing in Burma of the mostly Muslim Rohynga is a genocide that the Burmese military conducted. This is the time to call them out on it.
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We need many countries to step up and grant visas to religious minorities, NGO workers and their families and others trying to leave Afghanistan. They desperately need a way out.
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The continual erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong shows that #China and the #CCPChina cannot be trusted to keep their commitments. Thanks to @benedictrogers and @hk_watch for the great work they do exposing these abuses.
Our co-founder and CEO @benedictrogers highlights how religious freedom in #HongKong is threatened. "The world’s religious freedom monitors . should pay close attention to the dismantling of religious freedom in Hong Kong".
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The #Olympics normally have heroes but #China's #GenocideOlympics only have victims. Dr. Gulshan Abbas is just one of millions of Chinese imprisoned for either being Uyghur or having a relative speak out against #ChinaCCP's treatment of Uyghurs. @CUyghurs.
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Excited to kickoff @IRFSummit week with the Congressional breakfast and Advocacy Day. We will fight for religious freedom for everyone, everywhere, all the time. #IRFSummit2022 #internationalreligiousfreedom
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On the Nile in Khartoum, Sudan. Here meeting with transition government officials about religious freedom.
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The #GenocideGames are finally and mercifully coming to an end. This disaster of #CCPChina propaganda will go down in history as the worst #Olympics since 1936.
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It can be hard to read about what the #CCPChina does to Uyghurs like Abduweli Ayup and Omir Bekali but the world must know the truth. We can't allow #China to use the #GenocideGames to whitewash its crimes against humanity.
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This legislation wipes away the last vestiges of a free and independent #HongKong. Its people continue to see their civil liberties trampled upon by Beijing and the territory’s government. It's alarming that this law undermines the act of confession and turns priests into spies.
75 international parliamentarians and public figures condemn the passage of #Article23 legislation in #HongKong . You can read the full statement below ⬇️.
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Successful first day at the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Honored to be on the opening plenary panel to discuss #FORBforall in the face of global challenges.
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Christians are under attack in India. Governments at all levels need to make it abundantly clear that they will not tolerate this persecution. Silence will only signal support for the attacks, leading to more fear and violence. #India #ReligiousFreedom .
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A star tennis player has the courage to stand up to the #CCP official who sexually assaulted her and she is the one who is seemingly punished. What a shameful coverup! China should immediately provide evidence of Peng Shuai's safety and whereabouts. #WhereIsPengShuai.
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@ANCA_DC @IRFSummit I was proud to support recognition of the #Armenian #Genocide in the Senate and so agree with President Biden's decision to recognize the genocide as well. It was past time for America to acknowledge that the atrocities inflicted upon the Armenian people were a genocide.
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Religious diversity in action to protect the freedom of each other at #IRFSummit2023. Proud to have such a diverse group of faith leaders on stage together.
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It should never have gone this far but a jury in Finland has confirmed what we all knew - MP Paivi Rasanen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola enjoy a freedom of speech which includes religious speech. It is a scandal that this case was prosecuted in the first place. #religiousfreedom.
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Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo has been jailed for his faith since 2021. His health is deterioriating and there is no legitimate reason for him to be imprisoned. #Egypt should release and exonerate him immediately.
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One year ago today the Abrahamic Accords were signed in a breathtaking foreign policy breakthrough for the Middle East. An accomplishment for peace and a much brighter future. Congratulations to all involved!.
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Proud that the United States and other countries are staging a diplomatic boycott of #Beijing2022 #Olympics but more democracies need to step up. Showing up shows support for the #CCPChina and its dictatorship. #KeeptheBoxEmpty #StopUyghurGenocide #China.
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Honored to help kickoff @IRFSummit this morning. This international gathering is about advocating for and defending the right of freedom of religion or belief for everyone, everywhere, all the time. #IRFSummit
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