House Passes Rep. Stevens’ Bipartisan Resolution Calling on Russian Government to Release MI-11 Resident Paul Whelan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.Res.552, Congresswoman Haley Stevens’ bipartisan, bicameral resolution calling on the Russian Federation to provide evidence or wrongdoing or else release United States citizen and resident of Michigan’s 11th District Paul Whelan.
Paul Whelan was detained last December in Russia while visiting the country for a friend’s wedding. In addition to calling for his release, H.R. 552 also calls for due process and unrestricted access to consular service for Paul Whelan. This effort comes amid reports about Paul Whalen’s declining health and poor treatment while imprisoned.
Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of Michigan Congressional delegation members wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to press for a fair and transparent judicial process for Paul. The State Department has been working diligently to monitor Paul’s case and demand his release.
“We have repeatedly asked the Russian government to give Paul Whelan a fair and transparent judicial process to no avail,” said Congresswoman Stevens. “After ten months in a Moscow prison, without full consular access and without being able to speak to his family, Paul’s health is deteriorating. If Russia cannot produce any evidence after keeping an American citizen detained for almost a year, they must release him immediately. Let Paul come home and get the medical care he needs. I am grateful that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers of Congress have joined me in calling for Paul’s release, and I urge the Senate to pass this resolution as soon as possible.”
“For approaching a year, Paul Whelan has been unjustly detained by the Russian government without due process and with little regard for his health and well-being,” said Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07). “Today, Congress spoke with one voice that it is past time to bring Paul home to Michigan. Until that happens, we will continue doing everything we can to stand with the Whelan family and advocate for Paul’s freedom.”
“Paul Whelan's detention needs to come an end,” said Elizabeth Whelan, Paul’s sister. “We can't allow for American citizens to be used in a political tug of war. This resolution on Paul's behalf is a notice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the United States of America is not going to forget about my brother, who has now been held for almost 10 months on a false charge. It is past time to bring Paul Whelan home.”
The House resolution can be found by clicking here.
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