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Floor Speech

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Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, from time to time, I come to the floor to discuss political prisoners jailed by some of the world's worst regimes. I have often been joined in that effort to secure their release by colleagues on both sides of the aisle, including then- Senator and now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

You see, despite periods of retreat on the global stage, the United States is still being seen as a beacon of hope for those who want freedom and democracy, and this American voice has always enjoyed broad bipartisan support.

President Reagan certainly understood this when he famously told the Soviets to ``tear down this wall'' at the Brandenburg Gate.

The late-John McCain understood this when he joined thousands of Ukrainians aspiring for freedom on Maidan Square.

President Trump's Special Envoy Keith Kellogg understood this when he recently secured the release of several Belarusian political prisoners.

My former Senate colleague from Maryland Ben Cardin understood this when he passed the bipartisan Global Magnitsky Act.

Many times, those released from gulags overseas as a result of pressure from this Chamber have even visited me here in Washington, and they note how important it is to be remembered despite their isolation. So today, I want to mention just a few cases that deserve the attention of this Senate.

Let me start with the United Arab Emirates. If you follow soccer or football--depending on your choice of the name of the sport--you will see ``Emirates'' across the uniforms of some of the most famous, premier league teams. When you think of the Emirates, you think of those teams, and you wonder about the airline, but you may not think twice about human rights.

The United Arab Emirates is where one of that nation's top human rights defenders, Ahmed Mansoor, has been in prison for 8 years. Mansoor is considered one of the last major human rights voices in the Emirates--one tragically being held at times in solitary confinement, separated from his family. He was arrested under the guise that his social media posts advocating for human rights threatened social harmony.

Despite the dismal conditions of his incarceration, he remains steadfast in his commitment to human rights, even conducting multiple hunger strikes in protest of his jail conditions--the same conditions he spoke out against before his detention. Recently, his outrageous 15- year sentence was upheld on appeal.

We have strong ties and shared interests with the UAE, but its continued involvement in the horrific Sudanese civil war and incarceration of Mr. Mansoor complicate that relationship.

I appeal to UAE President Muhammad bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan to show compassion and allow Mr. Mansoor's release on humanitarian grounds.

To those at the United Arab Emirates Embassy here in Washington, if you are listening to my voice, understand this: We are expecting a positive response for Mr. Mansoor, and we are expecting it soon. If you ignore this entreaty, believe me, many of us will remember.

Next on the list is Azerbaijan. In 2023, anti-corruption research advocate Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu and his wife were forcibly dragged from their vehicle and severely beaten. He was taken to a prison, well-known for its torture, where he was denied medication and legal representation. What crime did he commit? Investigating and writing on the rampant corruption stemming from Azerbaijan's oil and gas industry.

While he was eventually placed under house arrest in April 2024, he has still been denied a trial, legal representation, access to adequate medical care, and his family continues to suffer harassment.

He is one of the many wrongfully detained individuals in Azerbaijan who should be released. If the Azerbaijan Embassy is watching this presentation, we are begging you: Do something to give this man a break, and release him from prison. We will be watching and hope you do.

Next is Tunisia, one of the most promising nations to emerge from the Arab Spring that sadly has seen President Saied consolidate power and stifle dissent by arresting political opponents and critics. One such case is Sonia Dahmani, a prominent Tunisian lawyer and political commentator who was arrested in May 2024 for her radio and television commentary. She faces five separate legal proceedings and an additional 10 years on pending charges. Her sister Ramla was also sentenced in absentia to 2 years in prison for advocating for her sister's case on social media.

Ms. Dahmani has endured appalling prison conditions, including sexual assault, and denial of basic medical care. I urge President Saied to release her on humanitarian charges and drop any remaining charges, including those against her sister.

If you are watching this presentation from the Embassy in Tunisia, believe me, we are begging you to act on this quickly, quickly. Show that you have heard this. Show that you understand the severity of your decision and understand that those of us in Congress and in the Senate will be watching carefully to see your response.

Lastly, two cases in Guatemala, cases new President Arevalo inherited and has bravely tried to solve: the troubling jailing of journalist Jose Ruben Zamora and legal harassment of anti-corruption prosecutor Virginia Laparra. Their incarceration occurred amid multiple efforts to derail the peaceful transition of power to President Arevalo last year. Both were eventually released from the prison to house arrest, but Mr. Zamora has now been sent back to prison, and Ms. Laparra continues to face baseless legal harassment from holdovers from the previous regime. Both deserve full release and dropping of remaining charges.

If the Embassy of Guatemala is following my statement, please respond--and quickly--and give these two people relief. We will be watching carefully and hope that you do.

What we do here matters around the world for the large and small battles occurring for freedom and democracy.

My friend and jailed Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza wrote the following from his Russian gulag a few years ago:

The prisoner's worst nightmare is the thought of being forgotten. . . . I always knew how true those words were--and how important were international campaigns of solidarity with prisoners of conscience. I now feel it with my own skin.

Let me remind Ahmed, Gubad, Sonia, Jose Ruben, and Virginia, you are not forgotten. Today, as I deliver these remarks, members of the families of some of these people are in the Gallery. Don't give up hope. I will continue to be that voice to remind the world of the incarceration and treatment of those that you love.

We need to be a beacon of hope in the United States. This is a demonstration, and we are begging these countries that are involved in these incarcerations and treatment to change their approach completely and give these people the freedom that they deserve.

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