U.S. Govt launches #WithoutJustCause Campaign to free political prisoners around the world

Colombo (News 1st) - The United States Government has launched a global campaign '#WithoutJustCause' to call for the release of political prisoners and others unfairly imprisoned around the world.

The State Department said in a statement Wednesday: "As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights makes clear, every person worldwide is entitled to respect for their human rights, including freedom of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly, and association. 

The State Dept also called on ordinary people everywhere to support the campaign. "The United States calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners and invites all who believe in the universality of human rights and fundamental freedoms to support this initiative. There is power in your actions and in your voice. You can help to free these prisoners and diminish human rights abuses generally."

"Some governments abuse their legal systems to target peaceful protestors or government critics on contrived charges such as 'terrorism,' 'extremism,' 'cybercrimes,' “fake news,' or 'hooliganism. Many are sentenced by courts that lack independence, in trials closed to outside observers, while others are detained without being afforded other applicable legal protections," the State Dept pointed out.

"Many are subjected to torture, gender-based violence, inhumane conditions, enforced disappearance, or other forms of abuse.  Some are held in reprisal for peaceful protest, exposing corruption, or critical reporting.  Others are held because of their race, ethnicity, religion, language, gender identity, or for perceived or real LGBTQI+ status or conduct," the State Dept said.

The sternly worded statement warned: "These individuals highlight the growing authoritarian efforts to silence dissent and suppress fundamental freedoms. Countless political prisoners around the world are subjected to torture, inhumane conditions, enforced disappearance, or other forms of abuse. Their families yearn to be reunited with their imprisoned loved ones. We can’t let that continue."

"From Washington, D.C. to our embassies and consulates around the world, we’re advocating for the release of these and all political prisoners through public diplomacy, bilateral engagement, outreach in international organizations, and meetings with other governments, NGOs, and political prisoners’ families," the statement noted.

More details about this initiative can be found at https://www.state.gov/withoutjustcause/.