The US should strongly advocate for political prisoner releases, global freedom

It is a familiar picture. An emaciated political prisoner walks off a plane, greeted by family and strangers stunned to see this person in the flesh. On the former captive’s face flash emotions of both incomprehensible relief and dizzying disbelief. These rare releases of political prisoners typically follow the tireless advocacy of family, friends, governments, and civil society.

As we celebrate these breakthrough moments of freedom, we should never forget the bigger picture that lurks behind each release, namely brutal autocratic regimes consolidating and asserting power by using human pawns and the capricious denial of freedom.

The United States should continue to advocate for the release of political prisoners, utilize tools to punish and deter such abuses, and — most importantly — recognize that any regime involved in political imprisonment lacks the values and trustworthiness for long-term American partnership.

We must naturally pursue short-term engagement with many nations to advance and protect American interests. We should also acknowledge, however, that the depravity of a regime denying freedom to its own citizens undermines that nation’s viability as a trusted partner. Those nations that share our democratic values are stronger, better, more sustainable partners.

We have celebrated the rare prisoner releases by name. Journalist Jason Rezian, freed from Iran. Pastor Ezra Jin, freed from China. Journalist Evan Gershkovich, freed from Russia. Activist Maryam Akbari Monfared, freed from Iran. Artist-turned-activist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, freed from Cuba. Pastor-turned-activist........

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