Official account of the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). TOU: https://teapawt.org/t.co/by2x39s1Ow RT ≠ Endorsement
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We will not allow American workers to face unfair competition from companies using forced labor. The United States has added three companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List.
Osema Almasri Habeesh Najeem committed gross violations of human rights, including the persecution of Christians. Today, the U.S. government is taking action.
Today I am designating former Libyan judicial police official Osema Almasri Habeesh Najeem for his role in the torture and cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment of detainees. The Trump Administration will not tolerate violence and abuse against Christians or members of other religious minority groups.
Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes retweeted
Today, the U.S. Embassy community joined me to honor the memory of all those who lost their lives in the violence surrounding Tanzania’s October 2025 general elections. We remember them, and the families who still grieve and seek answers. As I said to the U.S. Senate during my confirmation hearing, this will not be swept under the rug.
American industry is back and stronger than ever, thanks to @POTUS. This week I toured Hanwha’s Philly Shipyard and met America’s next generation of shipbuilders. @DelawareCCC and @Hanwha are training Americans through an innovative apprenticeship program — creating new opportunities for American workers in this vital tradecraft. #USWorkersFirst
Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes retweeted
We will continue to lead with strength to protect religious liberty around the world.
Today, we mark the anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act. As President Trump has said, the United States was built on the idea that all human beings have a God-given right to practice their faith according to their conscience. We will always defend the right of every person to practice their faith without fear.
Heartbreaking news of a horrific attack on a funeral service at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Karak. We offer prayers for families of victims and those injured, the Kingdom of Jordan, and the Christian community there.
My thoughts are with the Tibetan people following the devastating earthquake in Nagqu. We mourn those who lost their lives and stand with families facing injury, displacement, and uncertainty. It is essential that assistance reach all affected communities quickly.
We’re proud to work with Argentina on our newest Child Protection Compact. Child trafficking is a heinous crime, and this program is a mutually beneficial way to strengthen law enforcement and victim protection with a key Latin American partner.
La trata de menoreses un delito sin fronteras, y proteger a los niños es una prioridad que compartimos con Argentina. Hoy, el @DeputySecState Landau y elministro de Justicia @juanbmahiques firmaron el Pacto de Protección para la Infancia entre Estados Unidos y Argentina. Esta subvención al @NCMEC respaldará nuestro objetivo común de proteger a los niños mediante el fortalecimiento de la labor de las fuerzas de seguridad y la protección de las víctimas.
Thank you to the many faith leaders who warmly welcomed me and Ambassador Burch to Jerusalem, including Patriarch Theofilos III, Cardinal Pizzaballa, Armenian Orthodox Patriarch Nourhan Manougian, and Fr. Francesco Ielpo. Grateful for the many ways they serve their communities in Jerusalem and throughout the region.
Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes retweeted
On the Five-Year Anniversary of the Unjust Detention of U.S. Embassy Sana’a Staff
state.gov/releases/office-of…
The Kingdom of Jordan contains amazing historical Christian sites. This week I visited several across Jordan, including Madaba (known as the City of Mosaics), Makawir (believed to be the site of John the Baptist’s imprisonment and beheading), and Bethany Beyond the Jordan (where Jesus was baptized) — all powerful reminders of the importance of preserving religious history. Thank you Dr. Emad Hijazeen of @MOTA_Jordan and to the many church leaders across denominations for their generous hospitality.
It was my honor to meet with Archbishop Christophoros while in Jordan. Thank you for the gracious and warm reception, and productive conversation.
Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes retweeted
Rosario Murillo and Daniel Ortega’s rejection of Ambassador-designate Natasha Franceschi further isolates Nicaragua. While we remain committed to open diplomatic channels and to the Nicaraguan people's aspirations for democracy, they continue to slam the door on us and the future Nicaraguans deserve.
Ambassador Thornhill, welcome to the team. I’m proud to have such a dedicated leader join us as Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. Human trafficking is a grave human rights issue and a transnational crime exploiting men, women, and children for profit. We will continue to go after traffickers, protect survivors, and deliver justice for the American people.
Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes retweeted
The Trump Administration calls on all governments to do their part to punish traffickers and protect their citizens and communities. Read the 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report: state.gov/reports/2026-traff…
I was honored to speak alongside Prime Minister @NikolPashinyan ahead of Armenia’s second annual prayer breakfast. Such a gathering is only possible when people can live out their faith openly, freely, and without fear. His speech was inspiring. What an encouraging time.
An incredible first visit to Armenia — blown away by Armenia's rich Christian heritage and culture. Thank you to His Eminence Archbishop Hovhannisian for hosting me at Etchmiadzin, and to my gracious hosts at Khor Virap and the Matenadaran.
The United States will continue working with the United Nations and the Syrian government to support a Syrian-led multinational effort to fully account for the fate and whereabouts of the hundreds of thousands of people missing in Syria, including 14 missing Americans.
.@StateDRL’s participation at the Justice for the Missing in Syria panel today reaffirmed U.S. commitment to justice and accountability for all families affected by the Assad regime. Meaningful justice and accountability efforts, including progress on the search for the missing, are critical to supporting Syria’s post-conflict transition.
