On The Senate Floor, Durbin Highlights, Urges The Release Of Political Prisoners From Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam

On The Senate Floor, Durbin Highlights, Urges The Release Of Political Prisoners From Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) highlighted the plight of political prisoners in four nations and called for their immediate and unconditional release. All of these political prisoners have been outspoken in their support for democracy and basic freedoms. Durbin was joined by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) on the floor.

"Periodically I come to the Senate floor to raise the issue of political prisoners languishing in jails around the world. You may wonder why I do this. It came to my attention that there is real injustice. It also came to my attention that when I make a speech on the floor, sometimes people hear it, and it makes a difference," said Durbin. "They are journalists, activists, opposition candidates, and everyday citizens who are too often victims of petty, repressive regimes for simply trying to exercise basic democratic freedoms we take for granted in this country. Over the years, many of those eventually released have come to see me here in D.C. Without fail, they said their jailers cruelly tried to make them think they were forgotten and shared how sustaining it was to know voices around the world kept attention on their plight. So, I will raise a few more such cases today."

Durbin first highlighted four journalists from Eritrea-including Dawit Isaak, an award-winning Swedish-Eritrean journalist; Amanuel Asrat, a distinguished poet and journalist; Seyoum Tsehaye, a war journalist and television executive; and Temesgen Gebreyesus, an actor and journalist. In September 2001, Eritrea, which has an abysmal human rights record, banned all independent media and arbitrarily arrested journalists for any criticism of the government.

Durbin continued, "They [Eritrea political prisoners] remain imprisoned, along with thousands of Eritreans under unimaginable conditions, with no end in sight. I urge [Eritrea] President Afwerki to end this madness-free these political prisoners. It would be an important step towards ending international sanctions and Eritrea's isolation."

Durbin then highlighted writer Raif Badawi-who was imprisoned for ten years in a Saudi prison for the crime of exercising his right to free speech. Durbin also highlighted Waleed Abu al-Khair and women's rights activist Salma al-Shehab-two other prisoners in Saudi Arabia.

Durbin continued, "Waleed has been imprisoned since 2014 for his human rights work, and in 2022, Salma was given an outrageous 34-year prison sentence for-get this-using Twitter. For too long, the Saudi Crown Prince has silenced dissidents and pro-democracy activists while claiming to embrace reform. Such reform should include allowing Raif to reunite with his family in Canada, as well as unconditionally releasing Waleed, Salma, and countless other political prisoners without delay."

Durbin then urged the release of human rights lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov, who is serving 28 years in prison in Tajikistan for simply representing Tajikistan's legal opposition in court.

Durbin said, "Lastly, I want to focus on the nation of Vietnam, with whom the U.S. has built remarkably good [relations] in recent years. And yet, Vietnam remains at the bottom of the World Press Freedom Index-in 2024, ranking 174 out of 180. The Vietnamese government continues to heavily restrict free speech, with too many journalists and human rights defenders facing harassment, detention, and harsh prison sentences under so-called 'anti-state propaganda' laws. This includes people like Pham Chi Dung, one of the most popular writers on Voice of America's Vietnamese Service who was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2021."

Pham Chi Dung helped create the Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam. Durbin also spoke about Pham Doan Trang, who is considered one of the most prominent Vietnamese dissidents, who has so far served four years of a nine-year prison sentence on dubious charges.

"Just this year she [Pham Doan Trang] was awarded PEN America's Barbey Freedom to Write Award, adding to her already long list of awards from several governments and press freedom groups," Durbin said. "In 2020, just before her arrest, she wrote very movingly, 'I don't want freedom for just myself; that's too easy. I want something greater: freedom for Vietnam.' Such courage. I've seen the same from so many other political prisoners around the world."

Durbin concluded, "Before I turn the floor over to Senator Welch, I want to remind these brave individuals in Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam: you are not forgotten. We will continue to advocate for your well-being and release and speaking your names to the world. And when you are freed, please come visit with me here in the Capitol. I will be waiting to shake your hands."

Video of Durbin's floor speech is available here.

Audio of Durbin's floor speech is available here.

Footage of Durbin's floor speech is available here for TV Stations.

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