Risch, Coons Introduce Countering Wrongful Detention Act

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Chris Coons (D-Del.), a senior member 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.

“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.”

“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.”

Background:

The Countering Wrongful Detention Act seeks to deter and prevent wrongful detention of Americans overseas by:

• Creating the State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention designation for countries or entities who engage in this abhorrent practice, which would allow the secretary of State to impose a range of penalties on states that wrongfully detain Americans;
• Requiring airlines operating in the United States to disclose travel advisory information to consumers traveling to high-risk countries, particularly countries that the Department of State has issued indicators concerning risks of wrongful detention, kidnapping, or hostage taking; and

The act would also refine existing processes and provide additional resources to hostages and wrongful detainees and their families by:

• Establishing an Advisory Council on Hostage Taking and Unlawful or Wrongful Detention

Text of this legislation can be found here. 

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