The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission — the most bipartisan and one of the strongest human rights bodies in the U.S. Congress, with 53 powerful members — has just issued an extraordinary statement on the Islamabad Massacre, acknowledging the state-orchestrated killing of more then dozen peaceful protesters and the mass arbitrary detentions that followed.
This is unprecedented. A commission of this stature publicly calling out these atrocities is a historic turning point.
This must be treated as a top headline by every journalist, human rights organization, and political analyst. This is the moment to talk about it in vlogs, stories, articles, and panels — because this statement will shift the tides.
Accountability is coming.
Magnitsky sanctions are now firmly on the table.
One year ago today, Pakistani security forces unleashed terrible violence against protesters in Islamabad, killing more than a dozen people and injuring many more. Thousands were arbitrarily detained. Thorough, independent investigations must be conducted and justice served.
— Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (@TLHumanRights) November 26, 2025