Political Prisoners

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today welcomed news that Belarus has freed 14 imprisoned opposition activists following a meeting between Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka. Among those freed are top opposition…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) took to the Senate floor Tuesday to advocate for the freedom of political prisoners around the world. The Senators urged bipartisan cooperation to secure the release of prisoners of conscience…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement in reaction to the State Department notification to Congress that it will not withhold military aid to Egypt, despite a long history of persecuting and jailing dissidents: “Egypt is an important partner of the…

Statement of Senator Peter WelchSubmitted to the Congressional RecordMarch 11, 2024 Madam President, an article in the February 29 New York Times, entitled ‘‘5 Convicts Familiar With Navalny’s Prison Confirm Hellish Conditions,’’ describes the horrifyingly cruel treatment of political prisoners in Russia. Anyone who reads…