The continuing struggle of Jacob Ostreicher, an American businessman detained without formal charges for over 18 months in Bolivia, will be the focus of a bipartisan press conference Thursday, following a court hearing this week in Bolivia that concluded with yet again no decision on Jacob’s release or bail. Members of a bipartisan congressional delegation who visited Jacob in Bolivia last weekend and met with Bolivian government officials to press for his release will address the hopes for just... Read more

Chairman Chris Smith (NJ-04) held a hearing of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China on 2010 Nobel Peace Prize recipient and prominent intellectual and democracy advocate Liu Xiaobo who has led a non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China. Two years since being awarded the prize, Liu Xiaobo remains in a Chinese prison serving the fourth year of an 11-year sentence, while authorities hold his wife under a de facto form of house arrest. The hearing discussed Liu's views o... Read more

Justice continues to be denied to Jacob Ostreicher, an American entrepreneur detained without formal charges for over 18 months in Bolivia, as a hearing today concluded with yet again no decision on release or bail, said Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), a leading human rights leader in Congress, who expressed “extreme disappointment” with the outcome. The judges have requested that the lower court judge—whose decision not to grant bail was being considered on appeal—consider evidence that would ... Read more

A hearing on the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was held today by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees Africa and international human rights. The hearing, entitled “The Devastating Crisis in Eastern Congo,” featured witnesses testifying before an open hearing of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights. “This conflict was exacerbated by Rwanda's interventions in neighboring eastern Congo, as documented by t... Read more

By DONNA CASSATA, Associated Press The Obama administration on Tuesday defended its response to the security and humanitarian crises in Congo, rejecting criticism from Congress and human rights groups that the U.S. has failed to take decisive action. Johnnie Carson, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs, said the United States has worked closely with other countries to try to end the hostilities, with officials from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to U.N. Ambassador Susa... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) was a guest speaker today at an event marking the second anniversary of the crackdown in Belarus. Freedom House sponsored the event in the Cannon House Office Building, in partnership with National Endowment for Democracy, Human Rights House Network and the International Federation for Human Rightsand in cooperation with the U.S. Helsinki Commission. Smith is chairman of the Helsinki Commission and author of the Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act, enacted in 2... Read more

The spirits of American businessman Jacob Ostreicher, who has been held in a Bolivian prison without formal charges or bail since June 2011, appeared lifted by the arrival of a bipartisan congressional delegation headed by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who is leading an effort to push for his freedom. “Jacob’s health has steadily deteriorated during this unjustified captivity,” said Smith, chairman of a U.S. congressional subcommittee that oversees international human rights. “The stress of h... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) is leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to seek the release of American businessman Jacob Ostreicher, who has been held in a Bolivian prison without formal charges or bail since June 2011. “We are here to visit Jacob, who is sick and who I passionately believe is innocent,” said Smith, chairman of a U.S. congressional subcommittee that oversees international human rights. “Our hope is that the government will see its way to release him and allow him to co... Read more

U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who worked with Monmouth County Clerk Claire French to overcome an initial federal denial of Monmouth County’s planned satellite Passport Office, joined French, Freeholders Lillian Burry, Tom Arnone, Serena DiMaso, Gary Rich, Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini and other local officials to mark the Dec. 1 grand opening. Smith and County Clerk French have been working for months to realize the new service center, which opened its doors at the County Connection Bu... Read more

The case of a New Jersey family seeking justice for the murder of their loved one, Walter Patterson, 50 years ago was profiled by CBS 48 Hours reporter Susan Spenser, in what 48 Hours called “one of the coldest cases in U.S. history." 48 Hours filmed the family testifying at a congressional hearing chaired by Cong. Chris Smith. The network premiere, “The Hunt for Mr. Wright,” aired Dec. 1. Smith (NJ04), chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), ... Read more