The investigative CBS television show 48 Hours will focus on what it calls “one of the coldest cases in U.S. history” in a premiere entitled “The Hunt for Mr. Wright” tonight, Dec. 1 at 10 p.m. eastern time. 48 Hours recently filmed a hearing held Congressman Chris Smith (NJ04), chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), in July called “Justice in the International Extradition System: The Case of George Wright and Beyond.” To watch a sneak previe... Read more

Statement of Cong. Chris Smith, chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, and Co-chairman Sen. Sherrod Brown, on the trial and sentencing of Chen Kegui, nephew of reknowned human rights lawyer Chen Guangcheng, who escaped to the United States six months ago: "Today we are deeply dismayed to learn that authorities have sentenced Chen Kegui, nephew of renowned legal advocate Chen Guangcheng, to more than three years in prison, in a trial marred from beginning to end by glaring p... Read more

Although Superstorm Sandy wreaked widespread havoc on the Jersey Shore, the victims and communities have pulled together in an effort to rebuild their lives, homes and towns, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) told members of the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Environment and Public Works today. Smith also called attention to work the Army Corps of Engineers’ beach protection projects that held up well during the storm. “The courage, tenacity and resiliency of the victims has been amazing,” said Smith,... Read more

By Frank Bajak Associated Press- Nov 28, 2012 03:09 AM ESTAP LA PAZ, Bolivia — Six more Bolivian government officials were arrested on Tuesday, including a top Interior Ministry official, for alleged roles in a scheme to rob and extort a New York businessman who has been jailed for 18 months on suspicion of money laundering. The American, Jacob Ostreicher, has argued since shortly after his arrest that he has been the victim of corrupt Bolivian officials who conspired to keep him in jail so they... Read more

LA PAZ, BOLIVIA — A high-ranking Bolivian official was arrested Monday for alleged illegal enrichment from the sale of rice seized from a U.S. businessman who has been jailed for 18 months without charge. The American, Jacob Ostreicher, was arrested in a money-laundering investigation but no evidence has been presented in court to support the case against him. He claims his incarceration has allowed corrupt officials to fleece him, seizing 18,000 metric tons of rice from his farming venture and ... Read more

Who Triggered the Corruption Investigation in Bolivia? Republican Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey. La Razon reports that Government Minister Carlos Romero revealed that he became interested in the case because of concerns of U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, who arrived in Bolivia in June to learn about the situation of his compatriot. Later, he recalled, that the authorities of the United States Embassy in La Paz also raised the case. “That was also alerting us more.” The Algemeiner reports t... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) authored the following op-ed for the Washington Times Nov. 27 print edition. Smith, a 16-term member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, chairs the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights, the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, and the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. The online version can be read by clicking here. The votes are counted, the President will serve another term, and the Senate continues in Democ... Read more

The reports of an arrest of a Bolivian official connected to the imprisonment of American Jacob Ostreicher—who has been wrongly and unjustly held in a Bolivian prison without formal charges or bail since June 2011—are a welcome development in the case, said Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who has been working to secure Ostreicher's freedom. The Associated Press reported Monday that Jose Manuel Antezana, a high level official who worked for the ministry of the presidency, was arrested yesterday ... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (Robbinsville, NJ), Dean of the New Jersey Delegation met with the entire New Jersey congressional delegation at the State Capitol to discuss the emergency response to Sandy with Gov. Chris Christie. "We talked about the path to recovery for victims and for the shore economy,” Smith said. “It’s a long road and everybody seems to know it, but we are committed to bringing back these communities. There was general consensus that Gov. Christie and his cabinet handled the emer... Read more

As the Hamas terrorist network attacks Israeli civilian populations and Israel exercises its right of self-defense, Congressman Chris Smith, co-chairman of the Bi-Partisan Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism and executive member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, offered a House floor statement in support of America's closest ally in the region, Israel. Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said: “Mr. Speaker, this week and even today Israel’s terrorist enemie... Read more