[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 143 (Monday, September 16, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY 2024

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JAMIE RASKIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 16, 2024

  Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 
International Day of Democracy, which was Sunday, September 15. This 
day is an opportunity to promote the principles of democracy and 
freedom against an alarming resurgence of authoritarianism and 
fanaticism across the globe.
  The enemies of freedom seek to destabilize and destroy the 
constitutional democracies.
  It is estimated that in 2024 alone, two billion people across 64 
countries will have exercised their right to self-determination at the 
ballot box. But already, we have also witnessed sham elections, most 
notably in Bangladesh, Belarus, Venezuela and Russia, where the 
incumbent regimes suppressed political opposition and manipulated the 
electoral process.
  Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy and the 
foundation of a free society. Yet, far too many dictators, budding 
autocrats and monarchists of the world have undermined the will of the 
people, using coups d'etat and electoral autocracy to stifle democratic 
voices. According to Freedom House, a leading American organization 
devoted to the support and defense of democracy around the world, in 
2023, political rights and civil liberties were diminished in 52 
countries, while just 21 countries made improvements.
  In June, I met Dr. Amir Khasru Chowdhury, a leader in the opposition 
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Dr. Chowdhury was arrested on 
dubious charges three months before Bangladesh's January 2024 
elections. He languished in prison for six months until the Bangladeshi 
government, then controlled by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 
conveniently released him two months after ballots had been cast. Dr. 
Chowdhury was not alone in his politically motivated imprisonment; his 
was one of nearly 8,000 arrests of BNP leaders and political 
dissidents. But despite the government's sinister ploy to subvert the 
electoral process, Dr. Chowdhury and the other jailed Bangladeshi 
dissidents were vindicated, and their cause ultimately prevailed. After 
a historic youth-led movement to end Prime Minister Hasina's despotic 
reign, the Bangladeshi people have earned the right to redirect their 
future. It's now time for the international community to support the 
fundamental principles of democratic governance in Bangladesh.
  Meantime in Hong Kong, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to 
erode the city's political independence. In July, a Hong Kong court 
taken over by the CCP denied a request to resume the trial of pro-
democracy activist Jimmy Lai. The case prosecuting Mr. Lai for what is 
essentially a ``thought crime'' lays bare the CCP's authoritarian 
takeover of the once-free Hong Kong. I was proud to adopt Jimmy Lai as 
a prisoner of conscience through the Tom Lantos Human Rights 
Commission's Defending Freedoms Project and will continue to 
passionately advocate for his release.
  Jimmy Lai is not the only prisoner of conscience detained by an 
autocratic regime. In July, I wrote a letter to President Biden and 
Secretary Blinken urging the administration to demand the release of 
those wrongfully imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for exercising their basic 
human rights. Thousands of courageous activists, journalists, religious 
clerics, and human rights defenders have been silenced for simply 
speaking out about their dreams for democracy--such as their desire to 
move freely, speak openly and wear whatever they choose. In response to 
their impassioned advocacy, the repressive Saudi Arabian regime has 
unjustly imprisoned critical voices, issued violent threats, and 
imposed severe travel bans. This draconian reign of terror must end 
immediately.
  The governments of Bahrain, Turkey, Belarus and numerous other 
nations are also holding prisoners of conscience hostage to suppress 
the voices of their fellow citizens. Our foreign policy must not 
overlook these human rights violations, be it governments' subversion 
of electoral processes, obstruction of justice, or the crushing of 
dissent. I invite my colleagues to use their various platforms to 
support prisoners of conscience everywhere to tell their stories in the 
pursuit of justice. Joining the Defending Freedoms Project is one 
excellent avenue to do so.
  In 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote that democracy and voting rights 
could shrink and shrivel away or grow and expand. Today, our world is 
embroiled in a period of democratic backsliding. In reverence to the 
International Day of Democracy, I'm asking each of my colleagues to 
join me in boldly advocating for democracy and freedom across the 
world.

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