(Alexandria, Virginia) This week, we celebrate a significant milestone in the fight against wrongful detention and hostage diplomacy. The Australian Senate has released a pivotal report to end these unjust practices and protect citizens targeted by authoritarian regimes. Inspired by frameworks in the U.S. and Canada, the report’s recommendations include establishing a dedicated envoy for wrongful detention, clearly defining these cases, and implementing sanctions to deter offenders.

(Alexandria, Virginia)  Last week, we issued a letter to Senators Grassley and Cardin, urging Congress to intensify diplomatic efforts and prioritize Mark’s case. The letter highlights the arbitrary nature of his detention, as confirmed by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and outlines actionable steps to press for his release.

(Alexandria, Virginia)​ Confusion and outrage have emerged over the reported execution in Iran of Mr. Jamshid Sharmahd.  Jimmy is a GLA client and a long-time California resident held hostage by Iran for the past four years. He was kidnapped in the UAE by Islamic Regime agents in 2020. An Iranian official claimed Sharmahd died before his scheduled execution, a statement that contradicts Tehran’s previous announcement of his execution. This inconsistency has drawn sharp reactions from Germany, the United States, and international human rights organizations, further straining relations between Iran and the West.

(Alexandria, Virginia) The Global Liberty Alliance (GLA) acknowledges and supports the October 3rd letter from the Chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) to President Biden, calling for intensified efforts to secure the release of unjustly detained Americans, including GLA client Mark Swidan. The letter, embedded at the end of this post emphasized the need for high-level diplomatic advocacy, citing Swidan's ongoing suffering and wrongful imprisonment in the People's Republic of China (PRC).

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 31, 2024 — The Global Liberty Alliance (GLA) is urgently appealing for an end to the unjust imprisonment, harassment, and mistreatment of two Cuban sisters under the Communist regime. 

On May 28, 2024, Lisdany Rodriguez Isaac was granted temporary release from detention due to her high-risk pregnancy. Tragically, her sister, Lisdiany, remains incarcerated. 
​
Lisdany's situation is dire; coerced into an attempted abortion, she suffers from inadequate medical care and is battling complications including placenta previa, a condition that poses grave risks to both her and her unborn child. ​

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 8, 2024 — The Global Liberty Alliance (GLA) has formally reported to the Organization of American States' International Commission on Human Rights (ICHR) regarding the severe human rights violations by the Cuban government against members of the Association of Free Yorubas of Cuba (Asociación de Yorubas Libres de Cuba, or “Free Yorubas”) who are regular victims of harassment by Cuban State Security.

Nicaragua, though Socialist since its 1978 Marxist revolution, is a predominantly Catholic country. There is an ongoing campaign against Christians and freedom of worship. 

The Ortega regime just sentenced a dozen Protestant leaders to 10-15 years in prison and ordered them to pay collective fines over 880 million dollars. They were convicted of money laundering after holding evangelical events across the South American nation.

As part of an ongoing project to raise awareness of challenges to religious liberty, particularly Latin America, Global Liberty Alliance President and Counsel Jason Poblete was interviewed by EWTN's Tracy Sabol. 

In this interview, Tracy and Jason delve into the critical and escalating challenges faced by #Catholics and other Christian communities in Nicaragua.

EWTN News Nightly

​The controversy surrounding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and Hamas primarily revolves around allegations that Hamas, recognized as a terrorist organization by several countries, has misused UNRWA facilities and resources in Gaza for militant purposes. Critics argue that Hamas has exploited schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure provided or operated by UNRWA to store weapons, shield militant activities, and launch attacks, thereby endangering civilians and compromising the humanitarian mission of the agency. These allegations have led to significant scrutiny and calls for reform within UNRWA, as well as debates over the funding and oversight of its operations in the region, with some advocating for a cessation of support until assurances against such misuse are firmly in place.