Today I was briefed by leading global health experts about the outbreak of a novel coronavirus in China. We learned that the risk of transmission within the U.S. is low at present. I will continue to work closely with U.S. officials to ensure Americans are protected.
It's shameful that
#Beijing
chose a torchbearer for the
#Olympics2022
who's part of the military command that attacked
#India
in 2020 and is implementing
#genocide
against the
#Uyghurs
. The U.S. will cont. to support
#Uyghur
freedoms & the sovereignty of India.
With
#Nigeria
heading into state-level elections in just a few days, it's important the admin be more concerned with supporting the Nigerian people & their democratic aspirations than embracing the Nigerian gov't. Let's not rush to embrace these results.
The U.S. Senate took a stand today and told the Chinese Communist Party they will be held accountable for the erosion of
#HongKong
’s autonomy and its repression of fundamental freedoms.
#HongKongHumanRightsandDemocracyAct
.
I’m glad
@POTUS
signed the
#HongKongHumanRightsandDemocracyAct
today. Without question, the American people support the people of
#HongKong
, and this law makes that abundantly clear to Hong Kongers, the international community, and the CCP.
It is vital that the U.S. and
#EU
align their responses to Russian aggression and the
#IRGC
. I will continue to do all I can to shed light on the threat they pose to Americans and Europeans alike.
Hong Kong’s decision to bar Joshua Wong from democratic elections is another example of the Chinese Communist Party’s overreach. I met with Joshua & other activists earlier this year
#HongKongHumanRightsandDemocracyAct
It's critical the U.S. use the tools under the
#HongKongHumanRightsandDemocracyAct
, & other authorities, to make clear to Beijing that its violations of its int’l commitments & its commitments to the people of
#HongKong
will have consequences. More here:
30 yrs after
#HongKong
’s Basic Law, the autonomy of this unique and global city is under threat. I stand with the people of Hong Kong in defending the rights & freedoms they were promised, and I look forward to the full implementation of the
#HongKongHumanRightsandDemocracyAct
.
I’m gratified the
#HongKongHumanRightsandDemocracyAct
has been passed in both the Senate and the House, and that we came together with one voice to tell the people of
#HongKong
that the United States stands with them.
Before a single ballot was cast,
#Tanzania
's polls were marred by violence & repression. Reported irregularities during yesterday's vote & arrests today of opposition leaders are unacceptable & erode the country's democratic progress. Tanzania's leaders must be held accountable.
I am deeply concerned by the reports of escalated violence in
#HongKong
. I’m headed to the Senate floor around 5:30 p.m. to encourage my colleagues to stand with the people of Hong Kong and pass the
#HongKongHumanRightsandDemocracyAct
. Watch live on
Taiwan is a model for a free and open Indo-Pacific. As its successful containment of Coronavirus has shown, we can learn from
#Taiwan
and it deserves a seat at the international table.
I have pushed for
#ATACMS
for
#Ukraine
for more than a year. Reports that the Biden Admin will finally greenlight them for Ukraine would be good news, but why wouldn't they do this sooner? The sooner Ukraine wins, the sooner the war is over. This pattern is tiring.
The arrests of Jimmy Lai and former lawmakers in
#HongKong
are a reminder that there has been no accountability for government actors. We must continue to stand up for the rule of law and autonomy in Hong Kong.
The conviction of
@ChademaTZ
members, incl.
@freemanmbowetz
, on spurious charges, is more evidence of deteriorating political space & freedoms in
#Tanzania
. The govt's efforts to criminalize the opposition further undermines the possibility of democratic polls later this year.
The arrest of Jimmy Lai in
#HongKong
shows the lengths that the
#CCP
will go to suppress freedom of speech in Hong Kong. This is only the beginning of suppression under its so called “national security law.” Mr. Lai should be released immediately, & all charges should be dropped.
I am appalled by the Pakistani Supreme Court’s decision to free 4 individuals convicted of murdering
@WSJ
journalist
#DanielPearl
. This brutal crime, documented by the killers themselves, warrants more than just 18 years of prison time. His family deserves justice.
I'm glad to hear that
#Taiwan
is donating 10 million masks to the United States, Europe & allies. Their contribution during this difficult time shows true leadership and partnership. Thank you
@iingwen
and the people of Taiwan for standing with us.
#TaiwanCanHelp
The
@WHO
has failed not only the American people, it has failed the world w/ its flagrant mishandling of the response to COVID-19. An independent investigation is imperative, & the U.S. must consider significant reform or possible replacement of the WHO.
The credibility of
#Zimbabwe
’s judiciary was eroded more this week after bias shown by courts against citizens - denying bail & choice of counsel. All political prisoners including Hopewell Chin’ono & Godfrey Kurauone deserve impartial justice & due process.
The Iranian regime executed three men last week for coming to the aid of
#Iran
’s women. These executions & the extraction of confessions via torture underscore Iran’s status as a pariah. We’re long-overdue for a return to maximum pressure & a more comprehensive U.S. Iran policy.
#Iran
is supplying deadly drones to not just
#Putin
, but also the
#Ethiopian
military – in blatant violation of the
@UN
Security Council Resolution. Countless innocent civilians in
#Ukraine
&
#Tigray
are being murdered at the hands of the Iranian regime & it must end.
TUNE IN NOW: I’m speaking at
@CSIS
regarding the threat of China’s growing economic and political influence across the globe and the need for a cohesive transatlantic strategy and policy response. Watch here:
I was gratified to see
#Taiwan
represented at the inauguration for the first time since 1979 today. I commend the new admin. for this invitation, & encourage them to build upon the progress made on U.S.-Taiwan relations to reflect the challenges & geopolitical realities we face.
The takeover of
@mdcZimbabwe
HQ Harvest House, assault of a youth leader & arrest of several party leaders, incl.
@BitiTendai
, demonstrates again that
#Zimbabwe
govt is focused on crushing political opposition rather than remedying economic crisis, COVID19 & humanitarian despair.
I am deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in
#HongKong
, including reports of the use of live ammunition against protestors. Authorities in Hong Kong & Beijing must know the world is watching-this is a stain on China as it celebrates the 70th anniv. of its founding.
I condemn
#Russia
’s cold & calculated bombing of the Odesa port last night, which destroyed 60,000 tons of grain just one day after the Kremlin pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. This depraved move demonstrates
#Putin
's intent to inflict pain & hunger upon the world.
Today's executive order on
#HongKong
is unfortunate, but necessary, as the U.S. continues to address the increasingly alarming actions of the
#CCP
. The U.S. stands with the people of Hong Kong and supports their rights to freedom, democracy, & prosperity.
#Ukraine
's need for deep-strike capability remains urgent. The U.S. has an arsenal of ATACMS and a hot production line to backfill them. It's time the Biden Admin finish the job on ATACMS.
I’m disturbed by reports of
#TPLF
looting of
@USAID
warehouses in
#Ethiopia
. Those who block humanitarian access, divert life-saving aid, and use it as a weapon against the civilians it is meant to help must be held accountable.
“We now know, because again new facts have risen, that in recent weeks some of our warehouses have been looted and emptied by advancing TPLF troops, especially in Amhara right now.”
.
@UN
hosting a conference on access to the internet in
#Ethiopia
is wrong. The gov't has imposed an internet blackout on
#Tigray
for 2yrs. The
@intgovforum
should hold
#IGF2022
in a country that respects
#freespeech
and doesn't regularly block its citizens from internet access.
#Finland
’s announcement today marks a tremendous step forward in the future of transatlantic security. The decision to move toward
#NATO
membership is a serious one, and I extend my commitment to support Finland through this process
As Beijing increases its pressure on
#HongKong
with mass detentions, the Biden Administration should use the tools provided by Congress, such as the
#HongKongDemocracyandHumanRightsAct
, to punish those responsible for repression.
It was a pleasure to meet with
@HHichilema
today during his first visit to D.C. as president. We discussed the great opportunity before Zambians to build a stronger, more democratic nation. We are committed to supporting
#Zambia
in this journey.
The Biden Admin's decision to release such a significant sum to the Iranian regime runs entirely counter to our policy of not negotiating with terrorists & will only serve to encourage additional hostage taking for financial or political gain.
It's good to see
@usmissionuganda
respond to ongoing reports of torture by
#Uganda
authorities. Harrowing accounts by
@HEBobiwine
in 2018 &
@KakwenzaRukira
this week highlight the suffering of hundreds of voices critical of the regime. U.S. action to end impunity is overdue.
There is no excuse for POTUS to send US officials to
#Ethiopia
for
#IGF2022
. Our participation legitimizes a gov’t whose track record on internet governance includes imposing an internet blackout on
#Tigray
for 2 years – crushing
#freespeech
& hiding horrific
#humanrights
abuses.
Biden sanctioned 300
#Guatemalan
officials in one day, but in 3 years has not sanctioned any individual in the criminal
#Maduro
regime which continues to detain American citizens & destabilize our hemisphere. Biden’s priorities undermine America's security & democratic partners.
Today's
@StateDept
public designation of a travel ban against Paul Makonda for gross human rights violations as the Regional Commissioner of
#DarEsSalaam
is a welcome start towards holding accountable those in
#Tanzania
responsible for the country's steep democratic decline.
I welcome the arrest & prosecution of suspects involved in blatant corruption regarding COVID-19 procurement in
#Zimbabwe
, but the arrest of journalists like Hopewell Chin’ono who investigate & expose it undermines anti-corruption efforts and further erodes democratic progress.
The postponement of
#HongKong
’s elections is another move by the
#CCP
to erode democracy & rule of law. The United States stands with pro-democracy Hong Kongers who want a free & fair election.
The
#Zimbabwean
regime is once again showing its true colors by arresting its critics, denying them due process, and then not being able to account for their whereabouts. It is important the 3 women from the opposition MDC are found unharmed and provided access to their lawyers.
Today’s sentencing of Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow, & Ivan Lam in
#HongKong
for supporting pro-democracy protests is despicable. I had the pleasure of meeting with Joshua in DC in Sept. 2019, & will continue to support the aspirations of the Hong Kong people.
Reports that the
#NPC
will introduce legislation to further erode
#HongKong
’s autonomy are of grave concern to the U.S. The CCP is again breaking its promises. We stand resolute in our support of the Hong Kong people & their right to self-rule.
The $7M
@WorldBank
grant for
#Zimbabwe
reported today should come with strict transparency & accountability measures to ensure Zimbabweans receive services & support during
#COVID19
, and that these funds aren't lost to ongoing mismanagement by the Zimbabwean govt.
#Uganda
authorities continue to stifle dissent & punish critics. The house arrest of opposition leader
@HEBobiwine
last month & incommunicado detention of
@KakwenzaRukira
- despite a court order to produce him in court - are new & troubling examples.
I’m deeply concerned by the arrests and charging of 15 former lawmakers and democratic leaders in
#HongKong
. The U.S. undeniably supports the people of Hong Kong, & I'll continue to push for full implementation of the
#HongKongHumanRightsandDemocracyAct
.
One week after the Biden Admin’s 180 degree turn on
#Abrams
tanks, here we are again. The U.S. should provide fighter jets like the
#F16
to
#Ukraine
now. The White House must not dither for months until it is again publicly shamed into action.
In the lead up to elections later this month in
#Tanzania
, there have already been attacks on opposition & civic voices, restrictions on the media, & limitations on the freedoms of citizens. There must be a transparent, free, fair, & peaceful process moving forward.
#Uchaguzi
Praying for Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, a peaceful Hong Kong activist who was brutally attacked. Violence is unacceptable, and there should be a full investigation.
#HongKongHumanRightsandDemocracyAct
It was an honor to meet
@AlinejadMasih
yesterday.
#Iran
's attempt to kidnap her on U.S. soil proves how far the regime will go to spread its terror agenda. The admin. can't continue to view Iran as a serious negotiator - talks in Vienna must be suspended.
The U.S. continues to be the strongest international partner of the Zimbabwean people, despite
#Zimbabwe
's governing party pursuing a policy of name-calling, deflection, and misinformation to justify their current economic and political crisis. Keep up the good work, Amb Nichols.
The fact that Lukashenka’s “inauguration” had to be held in secret only further proves he has lost all legitimacy as a leader. He is not the president of
#Belarus
and he must step down.
In my convo w/ new Horn of Africa U.S. Envoy Jeffrey Feltman, I reiterated the importance of Eritrean troops leaving
#Tigray
immediately. Securing
#Eritrea
's withdrawal & addressing the atrocities committed in
#Ethiopia
should be central to his first trip.
#EritreaOutOfTigray
I am glad
@SecAzar
visited
#Taiwan
and shared our strong and ongoing support with
@iingwen
. The U.S. and Taiwan have many shared interests, including a commitment to public health. We are grateful for their partnership.
#TaiwanModel
Thank you, President Tsai, for welcoming me to Taiwan today. It is a true honor to be here to convey a message of strong support and friendship from the United States to
#Taiwan
.
#Poland
is again leading by example in sending fighter jets to
#Ukraine
– an action that has bipartisan support in the Senate. The Biden Admin must stop getting in the way of the Ukrainians winning their fight for freedom. It's time we send F-16s.
The horrific accounts in today's report of widespread atrocities in Western
#Tigray
reflect, once again, the importance of the
#Ethiopia
bill,
#S3199
, that passed out of our committee last week w/ overwhelming bipartisan support & is proceeding through regular legislative order.
Ethiopian forces carried out systematic, ethnically targeted attacks on Tigray that amounted to humanitarian and war crimes, Amnesty and Human Rights Watch said
I'm proud to see SFRC pass the bipartisan
#Ethiopia
Peace & Stabilization Act. This bill provides the tools to hold all parties to the conflict accountable for the many atrocities committed & the deadly, ongoing crisis. We must help to end this brutal war.
Today’s arrest of prominent Ugandan human rights lawyer
@nickopiyo
reflects the dangerous environment created by
@KaguaMuseveni
’s gov't to marginalize and repress civil society, political opposition, the media, and everyday
#Ugandans
with the aim of maintaining its grip on power.
I just met
@NickOpiyo
& was impressed by his commitment to rule of law & to uplifting his fellow citizens. News of his arrest is troubling & I call on the Ugandan Government to ensure his safety & wellbeing. Civil society must be able to carry out its essential role in
#Uganda
.
The economic crisis in
#Zimbabwe
is causing its citizens great hardship. It’s time for the
#Mnangagwa
government to work with, not against, its people to end corruption and implement reforms to restore the economy and end the suffering of its people.
The recall of
@BitiTendai
and other members of parliament in
#Zimbabwe
last week is yet another example of the systematic dismantling of the elected political opposition & subversion of the will of the Zimbabwean people.
It's not sanctioned individuals in
#Zimbabwe
exerting pressure on
#SouthAfrica
, but a lack of regional leadership. South Africa must hold the Zim gov't to its constitution and help the Zimbabwean people achieve their democratic aspirations and corruption-free governance.
Using starvation as a weapon of war in
#Ethiopia
is a heinous international crime. All governments should treat these reports with the seriousness they deserve, take decisive steps to prevent further suffering, & hold perpetrators accountable.
#TigrayFamine
🔴 Starvation 'used as weapon of war' in Ethiopia
Exclusive: UN humanitarian chief warns 'dire situation' will repeat famine of four decades ago unless immediate ceasefire agreed
Read our full pice here:
Tanzania's October 28 general elections provide an opportunity for President Magufuli and electoral officials to correct past errors and return
#Tanzania
to a positive democratic trajectory by holding free, fair, and credible elections.
The PRC’s actions with regard to
#HongKong
are a clear violation of its binding int'l commitments, and warrant the immediate attention of the UNSC. Today, I led a bipartisan group of members in a letter of support for an immediate UNSC meeting on this.
The disqualification of at least a dozen pro-democracy candidates is nothing other than deliberate suppression of fundamental political rights & freedoms promised to the
#HongKong
people. This is not the rule of law. It's important for the US to continue supporting Hong Kongers.
I would like to warmly congratulate
@iingwen
on her inauguration today following
#Taiwan
’s successful democratic election in January. The U.S. is committed to deepening our relationship with Taiwan – a true model of democracy in the Indo-Pacific.
#Taiwan520
I am very concerned about the
#CCP
targeting US citizens & students in US schools through the HK National Security Law, & I welcome
@StateDept
's decision to suspend 3 bilateral treaties w/HK. As always, we stand w/the people of HK & support their right to free speech+rule of law.
The effect of the new national-security law that China imposed on Hong Kong is extending far beyond the territory to American college campuses via
@WSJ
The charges against pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong in
#HongKong
are clearly politically motivated, and they should be dropped immediately. The
#CCP
is ruining Hong Kong’s autonomy and rule of law.
#Ethiopia
’s release of some political prisoners is a long-overdue but important development, as is the signaling of willingness to talk. However, the killing & starvation in Ethiopia continues, and urgent action is needed to end the lethal air strikes and humanitarian blockade.
I send my best wishes to
@iingwen
& the people of
#Taiwan
today on 10/10,
#TaiwanNationalDay
. Taiwan is an important U.S. partner & model democracy in the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. supports our Taiwanese friends, and I look forward to continued, close relations for years to come.
Rumors that int'l aid cannot get into NW Syria because of Western sanctions are false.
#Assad
is the sole reason aid cannot get to those who need it most. The
@UN
Security Council should consider tabling a resolution to open more border crossings from
#Turkey
into
#Syria
.
I welcome the
@StateDept
's recent decision to place visa restrictions on Nigerians who are responsible for undermining
#Nigeria
’s democratic process. We must continue to combat corruption and seek accountability for those who try to threaten democracy.
I condemn the terrorist attack against innocent civilians today in
#Jerusalem
. There is no equivalence between wanton acts of violence and Israeli military actions to eliminate terror cells plotting attacks against civilians. We stand with
#Israel
.
.
@EthioHRC
findings link state security forces in the death of 14 elders in
#Oromia
in Dec. The
#Oromo
are among the communities that suffered from state-sponsored violence before & during the war. As the US supports peace in
#Ethiopia
, we must also pursue justice for atrocities.
Too many lives have already been lost to this conflict. We're hopeful that the AU-led talks will signal an end to the violence that has ravaged northern
#Ethiopia
& killed 500,000 civilians. A peaceful resolution is imperative.
Our letter to PM
#Abiy
:
As we reflect on today's somber anniv. of the 1994 genocide in
#Rwanda
and recommit to 'never again' allowing such atrocities, we must put protecting innocent lives at the forefront of U.S. foreign policy, including in
#Ukraine
,
#Ethiopia
and
#Cameroon
.
#Kwibuka28
A letter from
#Zimbabwe
's Catholic bishops & law society condemning govt corruption, rights abuses, and opposition repression was met with contempt & inflammatory rhetoric by ruling party officials. It's past time the govt listen to its people and pursue meaningful reform.
State capture and corruption in
#Zimbabwe
continue to be a concern of mine. A timely report released by
@dailymaverick
exposes the destructive effects that elite cartels play in robbing the country's future. Our partners, the Zimbabwean people, deserve better.
#DemLoot
The Nigerian army's killing of protesters in
#Lagos
reflects the same impunity of the notorious
#SARS
unit driving thousands of young people out on to the streets.
#Nigeria
's leaders must hold the perpetrators of violence accountable and pursue a higher standard of governance.
On the final day of Putin’s “plebiscite” to approve his constitutional amendments, there’s no question of the outcome. The sham vote, masquerading as a referendum, has swept away all remnants of Putin’s legitimacy &
#Russia
's “democracy.” The Russian people deserve better.
Given
#Russia
’s brutality & continued war crimes against the Ukrainian people, it is only right that Russian gov't funds be seized & repurposed to help
#Ukraine
rebuild its country. The REPO Act will help us do just that.
It was an honor to escort
#Greek
Prime Minister
@kmitsotakis
to a joint session of Congress today. I look forward to meeting with him later this afternoon to discuss ways to strengthen U.S.-Greek relations, regional security, and defense technology.
Yesterday's arrests of
@zittokabwe
, Tanzanian opposition party leader of
@ACTwazalendo
, and several members of his party reflect a deeply disturbing trend of opposition party leaders and journalists in
#Tanzania
being arrested on contrived charges leading up to Oct. elections.
@StateDept
's 2020
#humanrights
report confirms
#Eritrea
's human rights record is among the worst in
#Africa
. The Eritrean govt's abuses extend to
#Ethiopia
's
#Tigray
region where its troops are linked to atrocities. We must maintain int'l pressure to ensure their full withdrawal.
The reported summary executions of civilians and other ghastly atrocities at the hands of pro-
#TPLF
fighters in the
#Amhara
require further investigation and action by the int'l community. Similar acts by all sides in
#Ethiopia
's war must end through dialogue– not more war.
Political violence by
#ZANUPF
against the opposition is unacceptable. There must be accountability. ZDERA requires
#Zimbabwe
's govt to "take concrete, tangible steps towards... good governance, including respect for opposition, rule of law & human rights."
The committee worked to combat the Chinese government’s human rights abuses by approving both the
#HongKongHumanRightsandDemocracyAct
and the
#UyghurHumanRightsPolicyAct
. These bills make it abundantly clear to the int'l community that the U.S. will hold the CCP accountable.
It's great to see my European counterparts join together to call out
#China
for its breach of intl law in
#HongKong
. Standing together is exactly what we need. I'll continue to advocate for closer cooperation b/t US & Europe on
#China
issues, including rule of law & human rights.
As Chairs of our countries’ and institution’s Foreign Affairs Committees we express our concern at
#China
’s recent imposition of the National
#SecurityLaw
without Hong Kong’s consent. We urge the
#CCP
to uphold its commitments to the people of
#HongKong
and withdraw the law.
Atrocities committed in
#Tigray
and elsewhere in
#Ethiopia
require accountability. The
#Eritrean
Defense Forces have committed serious human rights abuses & impeded humanitarian access in Ethiopia. It’s good to see the U.S. sanctioning the EDF's chief of staff for these abuses.
The United States is sanctioning an Eritrean Defense Forces leader in connection with serious human rights abuse in Ethiopia. We urge Eritrea to withdraw its forces from Ethiopia and for all parties to the conflict to commit to a negotiated ceasefire and end human rights abuses.
The US is deeply committed to the people of
#Zimbabwe
. Amb. Nichols set the record straight that culpability for Zimbabwe's dire economic situation rests with its leaders, provided the truth about sanctions, & reiterated our strong and lasting commitment to a free & open Zimbabwe
Congrats to
@IvankaTrump
on 1yr of
#WGDP
. This whole-of-government effort has already delivered in big ways, & I look forward to advancing the goal of global women’s economic empowerment for years to come. By investing in women at home & abroad, we are investing in lasting peace.