Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
August 10, 2021
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined a resolution with Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to condemn the politically motivated imprisonment of women around the world and to demand the immediate release of women political prisoners.
“Around the world, women are on the frontlines pushing for democracy and human rights. For their efforts, they are often met with repression and violence. From unjust detention to sexual violence and torture, women face heinous punishments for demanding basic rights and advocating for accountable governments. That must end,” said Shaheen. “I’m joining lawmakers to send a resolute message from the Senate that the U.S. stands against wrongful imprisonment of women around the world and calls for their immediate release. We must protect women for their heroic efforts to advance fundamental rights.”
The resolution was also cosponsored by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Chris Coons (D-DE).
Text of the resolution is available here.
Senator Shaheen is a fierce advocate for women and girls in the United States and around the globe. Shaheen has prioritized issues to empower women, such as opposing efforts to roll back women’s reproductive rights, fighting for the rights of sexual assault survivors, advocating on behalf of family planning and women’s global health, spearheading efforts to end violence against women and breaking down gender barriers obstructing girls’ access to quality education. Shaheen is also an outspoken advocate for Afghan women and girls amid U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Shaheen’s bipartisan resolution with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) condemning the recent terror attack on a girls’ school in Kabul and in support of international efforts to ensure the safety of Afghan girls, recently cleared the Senate.
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