Recognizing the critical work of human rights defenders in promoting human rights, the rule of law, democracy, and good governance.

commends human rights defenders for their critical work in promoting human rights, the rule of law, democracy, and good governance;

recognizes the rights of human rights defenders to the freedoms of association, assembly, and expression, including the rights of those individuals to collect and publish data on government abuses;

condemns all threats to—

welcomes the imposition of sanctions by the President, on December 21, 2017, and under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (subtitle F of title XII of Public Law 114–328; 22 U.S.C. 2656 note), with respect to human rights abusers and corrupt actors;

encourages all countries to recognize their duties under the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 9, 1998, to “protect, promote and implement all human rights and fundamental freedoms”; and

calls on the President and Secretary of State to maintain leadership by the United States in promoting human rights.