Even as Egypt’s political and social crisis persists, violence against Coptic women and girls is escalating, including kidnappings, forced conversions, and other human rights abuses, according to a congressional hearing that included a new report on the problems unveiled before the U.S. Helsinki Commission today, chaired by Cong. Chris Smith (NJ-04). “It has now been almost a year and a half since the revolution began in Egypt, and Egypt is still in the foundry fires of transition – hopefully in... Read more

Capitol Hill was the frontline in the battle against Lyme disease at a congressional hearing held Tuesday by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees international global health issues. “As I have met scores of patients suffering the devastating effects of Chronic Lyme—who only got well after aggressive treatment by a Lyme-literate physician—I have been dismayed and angered by the unwillingness of some to take a fresh, comprehensive look at this in... Read more

The quest for justice by the family of a decorated World War II veteran murdered in New Jersey in 1962 by a man convicted of the murder but who went on to escape prison, hijack a U.S. passenger airliner to Africa and elude capture for decades was the topic of a hearing held by U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE, or Helsinki Commission) on Wednesday. Smith’s hearing, “Justice in the International Extradition System: Th... Read more

Remarks by Chairman Chris Smith at July 10, 2012 congressional hearing of the Africa, Global Health and Human Rights Subcommittee. Good afternoon. Today’s hearing will examine U.S. policy and policy options for managing relations with Nigeria in light of concerns on terrorism and social and political unrest. The stability and commitment to justice and the rule of law of the Nigerian government is critical to regional, continental and global economic interests. Nigeria is hugely important on many... Read more

Chairman Chris Smith (NJ-04) gave the the following opening statement at a hearing today of the Africa, Global Health and Human Rights Subcommittee on the crisis in Mali. "Good morning. Today’s hearing will examine current U.S. policy and U.S. policy options in response to the recent military coup in Mali and the larger revolt of the Tuareg people in northern Mali. "The Tuaregs have been in conflict with the central government in Bamako, Mali, for many years, but following the service of some Tu... Read more

Para reporteros internacionales, en especial periodistas en Bolivia, por favor haga clic aquí para la versión en español. (The above Spanish translation was provided by the United States Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia.) Read more

The plight of American businessman Jacob Ostreicher--held in Bolivia for over one year without formal charges and without bail at a dangerous prison run by inmates--was likened to “state-sponsored kidnapping” at a human rights hearing chaired today by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04). The congressional panel Smith chairs gave voice to his desperate wife and daughter, and heard testimony from a former federal law enforcement agent familiar with the case. “Today, we are undertaking the sobering task ... Read more

Local elected officials in Lakewood today said that they had a productive and encouraging meeting discussing plans on how to jointly move forward to assist the struggling school district and improve educational opportunities for all Lakewood students. “Our working partnership shares one, overarching goal: improving educational opportunities for all Lakewood school children,” said Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) “I am encouraged by the valuable, useful exchange of ideas and look forward to assist... Read more

A hearing on the status of Chen Guangcheng, the blind Chinese human rights lawyer who caught the attention of the world over the past two weeks in his bid to escape persecution in China by seeking help in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, will be held Tuesday by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees international human rights. The hearing, entitled, “Chen Guangcheng: His Case, Cause, Family, and Those Who are Helping Him,” will feature human rights l... Read more

Chen Guangcheng’s “bold and courageous” appeal to China’s Premier Wen Jiabao to investigate and hold responsible all corrupt officials who systematically beat and tortured him, his family and friends is a “reasonable demand that the Chinese government, supported by the international community, especially the U.S., must meet” said Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the Foreign Affairs human rights committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. “This is a test of Premier Wen’s commitment to f... Read more