Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Representatives Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and French Hill (R-Ark.) today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would establish March 9 as an annual National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day. The commemoration of a national day will call increased attention to Americans unjustly held abroad and increase the urgency to bring home every wrongfully detained American. The legislation will also establish an official Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag, pictured below.
The introduction of the U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day Act comes only days after the release of Brittney Griner from Russian custody. It also comes as U.S. officials continue to negotiate for the release of Paul Whelan and other Americans wrongfully detained around the world. According to the James W. Foley Legacy Center, there has been a 175% increase in incidents of U.S. nationals wrongfully detained or held hostage this decade compared to previous decades. According to the Foley Center, as of 2022, Americans are wrongfully detained in least 19 countries, including Iran, China, Venezuela, Syria, and Russia.
“The creation of a National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day and flag will help ensure Americans never forget the tragic stories of Robert Levinson, James Foley, and other U.S. citizens held hostage or detained illegally in foreign countries. Brittney Griner’s release and unjust imprisonment has only underscored the need for Congress to continue working to safeguard the lives of wrongfully detained Americans,” said Senator Coons. “I promise to keep unjustly held Americans at the forefront of our foreign policy and work until every last American is brought home safe and sound.”
“The death of Florida constituent Robert Levinson, who was the longest-held hostage in American history, was a devastating reminder of the tragic practice of hostage-taking,” said Senator Rubio. “Unfortunately, far too many American families have lived through the nightmare of seeing their loved ones unjustly detained abroad. Establishing the National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day will provide another opportunity to honor individuals like Paul Whelan, Marc Fogel, Kai Li, Emad Shargi, Morad Tahbaz, Theary Seng, and the many American citizens who are suffering in foreign prisons without due cause. We must show our fellow Americans that they have not been forgotten, and at the same time must stop incentivizing our adversaries to take more Americans hostage.”
“My constituent Paul Whelan was wrongfully detained in Russia just days before I was sworn into office,” said Representative Stevens. “For nearly four years, he has been held on false charges, working day in and day out in a prison camp, missing holidays with his family and precious time with his aging parents who miss him dearly. The Whelan family, like so many families of hostages detained abroad, have shown unbelievable strength, courage, and grace in what can only be described as a nightmare situation. Our bipartisan, bicameral designation today is a small step in ensuring that the names of Americans wrongfully held abroad are not forgotten. We will never stop fighting until Paul Whelan, and all other Americans hostages, are brought safely home.”
“Providing a voice in Congress for those wrongfully detained is the reason I co-founded the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad. I am committed to doing everything I can to bring Americans home – this legislation will highlight the horrible situation their families face every day,” said RepresentativeHill.
March 9 is the day on which Robert Levinson disappeared in Iran in 2007. He was declared dead in absentia in 2020.
Full text of the U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day Act of 2022 is available here.