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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
?
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.
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
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.
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.
Visiting the eternal flame at the
#ArmenianGenocide
Memorial Complex today at Tsitsernakaberd. An estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed between 1915 and 1922.
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.
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
Attended a racial reconciliation gathering in Kansas City today where
@drtonyevans
spoke.
#UniteKC
is doing a great job in leading this critical discussion.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
.
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
Such a lost opportunity.
@mbachelet
fundamentally failed to do her job and the oppressed people of China paid the price. Great article by
@benedictrogers
.
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?
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
.
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
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.
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
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
#Kyiv
Mayor
#Klitschko
has come on-board to save a fellow boxer, Iranian political prisoner,
#MohammadJavad
Vafaei-Sani, from being executed by the Tehran regime.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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"
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.
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
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.
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 ⬇️
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
@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.
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!
The fundamental human right of religious freedom applies to everyone everywhere, no matter their belief or disbelief. It's not about agreeing with what others say or practice, but agreeing that we each have the right to practice our own faith.
#InternationalReligiousFreedomDay
Russia's aggression against
#Ukraine
must be met aggressively in a similar fashion as it is being conducted or it will encourage President Xi, the Iranians and other dictators to use their militaries to get what they want. This is not a one off event.
Companies sponsoring the upcoming Winter Olympics need to decide if they support genocide. They should have no part in sponsoring and thus condoning China's appalling human rights record.
#stopthegenocide
#StopUyghurGenocide
#WinterOlympics
The
#UyghurTribunal
should be commended for its diligent work in weighing the gruesome evidence. The Tribunal found ample evidence of executions, rapes, forced sterilizations and numerous other violations of basic human rights.
#StopUyghurGenocide
Looking forward to moderating a panel shortly at
#IRFSummit2022
with three past
@IRF_Ambassador
to discuss solutions to advancing religious freedom in the face of rising persecution. Tomorrow we'll be joined by our current Ambassador at
@IRFSummit
.
Russia's weakened state presents a perfect opportunity for the US to expand its influence in an important region by supporting
#Armenia
and her people in this vital time of need.