FEDERALhearing transcript

Hearing on International Human Rights and Closing Civic Spaces

Original title: INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE CLOSING CIVIC SPACE

January 1, 2023

human rights civil liberties international relations global health freedom of speech

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing serves as a formal record of expert testimony and legislative inquiry into how global governments are restricting civil society, which informs future U.S. foreign policy and human rights advocacy strategies.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

International human rights organizations

These groups provide testimony and data that influence the subcommittee's legislative focus and foreign policy recommendations.

U.S. House Subcommittee members

Members are responsible for gathering information to shape future human rights legislation and oversight.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2023.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations held a hearing on December 9, 2020, to discuss global threats to human rights and civic freedoms. The session featured testimony from experts at Amnesty International, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the Heritage Foundation regarding how governments may misuse power to limit rights, particularly during the global pandemic.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on December 9, 2020, via Webex.
The hearing was held on the eve of International Human Rights Day (December 10).
The subcommittee examined the misuse of government power to limit citizen rights during the global pandemic.
Witnesses included representatives from Amnesty International USA, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the Heritage Foundation.
The hearing is documented as Serial No. 116-139.
Members were granted 5 days to submit statements and questions for the record.
The hearing was conducted under the rules of the 116th Congress, Second Session.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?

To review obstacles to the protection of human rights and to find solutions for preserving civic spaces, especially in the context of government actions during the pandemic.

Who testified at the hearing?

Joanne Lin (Amnesty International USA), Dr. Courtney Radsch (Committee to Protect Journalists), and Emilie Kao (Heritage Foundation).

Why It Matters

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

temporal pattern100% confidence

Pandemic-era Governance

The hearing specifically highlights the intersection of the 2020 global pandemic and the restriction of civil liberties by governments.

Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations

Connected Entities

personDr. Courtney Radsch“Advocacy Director, Committee to Protect Journalists”Map →

personJoanne Lin“National Director, Advocacy and Government Affairs, Amnesty International USA”Map →

organizationCommittee on Foreign Affairs“House of Representatives committee overseeing the subcommittee”Map →

personEmilie Kao“Director of the Richard and Helen Devos Center for Religion & Civil Society, Her”Map →

personKaren Bass“Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, an”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance40
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy20
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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