Senators Coons, Risch introduce bipartisan, bicameral bill to counter states that wrongfully detain Americans abroad

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced the Countering Wrongful Detention Act, which would create new tools for the U.S. government to deter states from wrongfully detaining Americans abroad and support wrongful detainees upon their return home. The bill would create a U.S. State Department designation entitled the “State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention” to hold foreign governments accountable for wrongfully detaining Americans abroad; enhance awareness of travel advisories for Americans traveling to high-risk countries; and establish an advisory council on wrongful detention made up of survivors, family members, and experts to make policy recommendations to the executive branch.
“I will always fight for American hostages and wrongful detainees—securing their release and making their re-entry as easy as possible for them and their families,”said Senator Coons. “As we continue to fight to return Americans who are unjustly held overseas, we must also protect Americans from being taken by our adversaries in the first place to be used as political leverage. I’m proud to reintroduce the Countering Wrongful Detention Act with my friend Senator Risch to build on our legislative success last year fighting hostage diplomacy, and I’ll keep working until this entire bill becomes law.”
“President Trump is working to restore America as a leader on the world stage and ensure we are respected around the globe. The Countering Wrongful Detention Act will add firepower to his efforts by hitting countries that wrongfully detain American citizens with strong repercussions, including the potential of sanctions,”said Chairman Risch.“We stand with those Americans who were and are wrongfully detained, and we will work to ensure that they are freed and that no other American has to endure this injustice again.”
Background:
The Countering Wrongful Detention Actseeks to deter and prevent wrongful detention of Americans overseas by:
The act would also refine existing processes and provide additional resources to hostages and wrongful detainees and their families by:
Senator Coons is also Co-Chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus. He has worked tirelessly to advance legislation to help American hostages and their families, including:
The full text of the bill is availablehere.