Press Release: Lantos Foundation Announces 2024 Activist Artist Scholarship Winners

Media Contact:

Chelsea Hedquist

press@lantosfoundation.org

Four New Hampshire High School Seniors Receive $15,000 in Scholarship Funds 

CONCORD, NH (May 2, 2024) — The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice today announced that Abhinav Avvaru of Nashua High School and Oliver Andrews of Kearsarge Regional High School will receive the first-place awards for the annual Activist Artist Scholarship competition. Each will receive a $5,000 scholarship to be paid to the college or university they plan to attend in the fall.

The competition encourages students to explore how art can impact the human rights movement. This year’s competition once again offered applicants the chance to submit to two distinct categories: The essay category challenges applicants to examine the influence of a particular “Activist Artist” and show how that artist used their medium to inform and inspire during their lifetime or beyond; in the second category, applicants have the option to submit their own original piece of activist art, along with a “museum plaque” describing their work. This year’s submissions focused on a range of human rights issues, including freedom of speech, oppressive authoritarian regimes, racism, unjust incarceration, the war in Ukraine, gun violence, and more.  

First place essay winner Abhinav Avvaru focused his essay on the art installations of Chinese activist artist Ai WeiWei. He writes, “Within China, where dissent is often met with harsh repression, Ai Weiwei's defiance serves as a symbol of resistance and resilience. His willingness to confront taboo subjects and expose government corruption and human rights abuses inspires others to speak out against injustice, despite the risks. Through his art, Ai Weiwei provides a platform for dissenting voices, amplifying their message and fostering solidarity among those who strive for a more open and just society.”

Oliver Andrews was awarded first place in the original artwork category for his violin composition titled “Against Despair,” which he dedicates to all whose freedom has been crushed by the Putin regime in Russia. He explains that the piece “attempts to express the grief at witnessing Russia’s ongoing oppression and violence as well as concern at the spread of these same oppressive tendencies across other nations.” He goes on to say, “Being willing to name the challenges of our current age and recognize with clear eyes the autocratic aspirations of leaders like Putin is itself a source of hope. Silence is the handmaiden of all human rights abuses; despots cultivate it, depend on it, to tighten their strangleholds on their people. Art, and music in particular, is one of the most powerful ways to shatter this silence.  ‘Against Despair’ is a small attempt to keep the silence from growing.”

Two scholarships of $2,500 each were awarded to the runners-up: Ryder Dutton of Belmont High School, whose essay focuses on quilts created by wrongfully convicted former death row inmate Gary Tyler; and Michaela Horan of Londonderry Senior High School, who composed an original song that explores the power of rising up in peaceful protest.

Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation, congratulated the four scholarship winners and said, “Since we launched the Activist Artist Scholarship competition in 2021, we have been amazed and impressed each year by the skill and sophistication of the submissions. This year is no different. The four scholarship winners have truly grasped the meaning of ‘activist art’ and have demonstrated this understanding beautifully through both the written word and music. We hope the scholarships will allow these talented students to elevate their skills and ideas as they continue their education, as well as inspire them to continue standing up for human rights around the world.” 

Funding for the scholarships is generously provided through a grant from Bank of New Hampshire. “The partnership between Bank of New Hampshire and the Lantos Foundation embodies a shared commitment to nurturing the intersection of art and human rights advocacy,” said Tiffany Baert, VP – Marketing Officer for Bank of New Hampshire. “Through the Activist Artist Scholarship, we are able to support the creative endeavors of young individuals passionate about making a difference in the world. This initiative not only honors the legacy of Congressman Tom Lantos but also empowers a new generation to continue his mission of promoting human rights through artistic expression.” 

The winners were selected by a panel of judges from the New Hampshire arts and education communities, and beyond, with a diverse range of experience and perspectives. This year’s judges included: New Hampshire artist and gallery owner Pam Tarbell, Lantos Foundation Board of Trustees Treasurer Ambassador Richard Swett, retired Lantos Foundation staff member Jill Hadaway, Bank of New Hampshire’s Miranda Augustine, digital media specialist Isaac Campbell, Lantos Foundation President Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, recent Duke University graduate and former Lantos Foundation intern Daniel Wolf, and Tufts University student and former Lantos Foundation intern Leyla Mandel.  

This year, the following students have also been recognized as honorable mentions: Aaralyn Evans of Woodsville High School, Isabella Cannon of Bow High School, Lyra Saults who is homeschooled in Bristol, and Bozen Hrynyk of Manchester Central High School.  

Following graduation, the scholarship winners and honorable mentions will be continuing their studies at a range of impressive colleges and universities, including Belmont University, Columbia University, Amherst college, and Maine College of Art and Design. The scholarship and honorable mention recipients will be honored at a reception hosted by Bank of New Hampshire on May 7 at 5:30pm. Members of the press who wish to attend the event should RSVP to press@lantosfoundation.org.   

The Activist Artist Scholarship program falls within the Lantos Foundation’s “Global Citizenship” area of work. The Foundation recognizes the powerful, yet often overlooked, role that artists play in the human rights movement. Through the Activist Artist Scholarship and other programs, including the Front Line Fund grant program, the Foundation seeks to encourage, support and elevate the work of artists who use their mediums to advocate for important causes. 

To learn more about the Foundation’s Activist Artist work and to stay updated on future awards, visit: https://www.lantosfoundation.org/activist-artist    

###

About the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice: The Lantos Foundation was established in 2008 to carry forward the legacy of Congressman Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to the U.S. Congress and a leading human rights champion. Based in Concord, NH, the Foundation works with a range of partners and often in cooperation with the U.S. Government on issues that span the globe. The Foundation’s key areas of focus include human rights issues related to religious freedom, rule of law, internet freedom and activist art. The Foundation also administers the Lantos Congressional Fellows Program, supports human rights advocates, activists and artists through its Front Line Fund grant program, and awards the annual Lantos Human Rights Prize to honor and bring attention to heroes of the human rights movement. Past recipients of the Prize include His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Professor Elie Wiesel, Iraqi Parliamentarian Vian Dakhil, “Hotel Rwanda” hero Paul Rusesabagina, Hong Kong Democracy activist Joshua Wong, NBA athlete turned activist Enes Kanter Freedom, among others.

Press Release: Members of Congress Urged to Stand in Solidarity with Jewish Community as Jewish American Heritage Month Begins

AJC and Lantos Foundation invite Representatives and Senators to join Solidarity Sabbath initiative 

Media contacts:

Chelsea Hedquist / press@lantosfoundation.org

Jennifer Bell / mediacomms@ajc.org

May 1, 2024, Washington, DC – Today, as Jewish American Heritage Month begins, American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice are launching a special initiative, the Congressional Solidarity Sabbath. This initiative invites all Members of Congress, regardless of political party, religious tradition, or cultural background, to engage with the Jewish community in a meaningful way during the month of May. This could include participating in a Shabbat dinner, attending a service, visiting a synagogue, or hosting a roundtable with local Jewish leaders. These simple but powerful acts will stand as a sign of solidarity with the American Jewish community and with Jews throughout the world. It will also demonstrate Members’ sincere commitment to the continued fight against the scourge of antisemitism.

“Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity for all Americans to get to know and understand the diversity within the Jewish community,” said Ted Deutch, CEO of AJC. “Being Jewish is not just about religion, but also a people, culture, and group that has contributed so much throughout our nation's history. At a moment when the American Jewish community is feeling excluded from and unwelcome in too many spaces, this month and initiative are more important than ever. I’m pleased to partner with the Lantos Foundation to bring this opportunity to Members of Congress. In AJC’s 25 regional offices around the country, we are here to help connect elected officials with local Jewish communities, this month and long into the future.”  

American history is filled with the contributions and service of American Jews, some more well-known than others. Over the past 370 years, Jewish Americans have served in government and the military, won Nobel prizes, headed universities and corporations, advanced medicine, created and performed in enduring works of performing and visual art, written great American novels, and become emblems of justice as members of the Supreme Court, among other contributions. The American Jewish experience, like that of other groups, is about so much more than standing up to hatred and bigotry.

The 2024 Solidarity Sabbath comes at a critical time, with the world experiencing a global surge in antisemitism and American Jews feeling alienated from their broader communities. From targeted attacks on Jewish institutions and local businesses, to the insidious spread of anti-Jewish speech online and on college campuses, antisemitism is causing American Jews to change their behavior out of fear. According to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report:

• 63% of American Jews say the status of Jews in the U.S. is less secure compared to one year ago. In 2022, this number was 41%. In 2021, it was 31%.

• 46% of American Jews say they altered their behavior out of fear of antisemitism. In 2022, this number was 38% — a significant eight percentage point jump in one year.

“Where antisemitism flourishes, history has shown that other forms of prejudice, discrimination, and hate are never far behind,” said Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation. “As our namesake the late Congressman Tom Lantos famously said, ‘The veneer of civilization is paper thin. We are its guardians, and we can never rest.’ We hope that Members of Congress will answer our call to be such guardians and to stand in solidarity with the Jewish people this month. By taking a stand against antisemitism through the Solidarity Sabbath, each participating Member can help beat back the rising tide of many forms of hate.”

Members of Congress who would like to participate in the initiative have the entire month of May to do so, and many Members have already committed to take part. Any congressional offices seeking to connect with the Jewish community in their district or state can reach out to partnerships@ajc.org for assistance. Members of the media who would like a comprehensive list of representatives and senators who will participate in the initiative can reach out to press@lantosfoundation.org. 

###

About the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice: The Lantos Foundation was established in 2008 to carry forward the legacy of Congressman Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to the U.S. Congress and a leading human rights champion. The Foundation works with a range of partners and often in cooperation with the U.S. Government on issues that span the globe. The Foundation’s key areas of focus include human rights issues related to religious freedom, rule of law, internet freedom and activist art. The Foundation also administers the Lantos Congressional Fellows Program, supports human rights advocates, activists and artists through its Front Line Fund grant program, and awards the annual Lantos Human Rights Prize to honor and bring attention to heroes of the human rights movement. Past recipients of the Prize include His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Professor Elie Wiesel, Israeli President Shimon Peres, Iraqi Parliamentarian Vian Dakhil, Hong Kong Democracy activist Joshua Wong, Bill Browder, the founder of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative Bryan Stevenson, NBA athlete turned activist Enes Kanter Freedom, among others. Visit www.lantosfoundation.org for more information.

About American Jewish Committee:

AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.

Statement by Annette Lantos on the 80th anniversary of the Nazi invasion of Hungary

On this day exactly 80 years ago, my life changed forever. The Nazis invaded my native Hungary in what they referred to as “Operation Margarethe,” but I knew only as the day my childhood abruptly ended. Although I was only 12 years old, I sensed intuitively that my mother and I were in grave danger. We left our home with the clothes on our backs and never returned.   In the following days we learned that indeed our family’s name had been near the top of the list of those to be rounded up for deportation. When the Gestapo did not find us at home on the next day, they were so enraged that they tragically killed the doorman of our building, accusing him of letting us escape, and hurled our possessions out of the 6th floor windows. I would never again return to the home of my childhood.

What followed those early days was a horrifically efficient implementation of the Nazis’ genocide against the Jews. Hungary had the largest remaining Jewish population in Europe. In a matter of mere months, more than half of this population, including members of my own family, were deported, primarily to Auschwitz. The vast majority were then killed in the gas chambers upon arrival. Others, like my beloved father, were murdered in cold blood on the banks of the Danube River. The speed of the Nazis’ “final solution” in Hungary was enabled by its close cooperation with the Hungarian Arrow Cross party.

Thanks to the courage and ingenuity of people like Raoul Wallenberg and Carl Lutz, true heroes of the Holocaust, a significant number of Budapest’s Jewish population was saved. My mother and I were able to escape from Hungary using a passport issued by the Portuguese Embassy, inspired by the “schutzpass” documents that Wallenberg had invented to help save the Jews of Hungary. We were among the lucky ones. Of the more than 800,000 Jews living within Hungary’s borders before the Nazi invasion, only about 250,000 survived.

When I look back on this fateful day in history, I can still feel the fear and the incomprehension at why anyone would want to murder my family – simply because we were Jewish. These experiences of my youth are forever seared into my consciousness. Tragically, I find myself today increasingly recognizing that same fear and disbelief as I watch antisemitism and virulent anti-Jewish hatred surge around the globe. I would never have imagined that I would see the evil of my early years return in such a disturbing and widespread way.

Yet, as I reflect on the tragic past and shocking present, I also remain hopeful that this time it will be different. This time, I hope and believe there will be many more who will, as Raoul Wallenberg and Carl Lutz did, refuse to stay silent or turn away in the face of evil. I believe there will be many more who recognize antisemitism for the ancient and enduring evil that it is, and who will name and shame those who engage in it. On this day of somber remembrance, I hope people in Hungary, the United States and around the world will commit more firmly to fighting against this hateful prejudice with all their strength and determination. It is impossible to deny the reality of antisemitism as we see it engulf the world, but this is also a moment for men and women of goodwill and courage to show who they are. Let us each pledge to pick up the mantle of courage worn by Raoul Wallenberg, Carl Lutz, Varian Fry, Jozef Walaszczyk, Corrie Ten Boom, Sir Nicholas Winton, Irena Sendler, Tibor Baranski, and others who were willing to put their own lives at risk to save innocent Jews. I will never be able to repay the debt that I owe to my rescuers but each of us must try in our own way to pay it forward.

Statement: 25 Years since Hungary’s accession to NATO, an alliance of democracies matters more than ever

On March 12, 1999 – 25 years ago today – the Lantos Foundation’s namesake Congressman Tom Lantos flew to Independence, Missouri, for a ceremony marking the accession of the Czech Republic, Poland, and his native Hungary to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). On that day, he exultantly told The New York Times, “After a thousand years of desperate craving to be part of the West, it's official – [Hungary is] in, we get the imprimatur of NATO.”  

Congressman Lantos was the only Member of Congress to attend the historic ceremony at the Harry S. Truman Library, but his participation was fitting. He understood better than almost anyone the vital importance of NATO, having lived under both Nazi fascism and the Soviet Union’s communism in Hungary. He witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust first-hand; later, he watched from afar in anguish and helplessness as the Soviets crushed the 1956 Hungarian uprising. To him, NATO represented a commitment to the ideals of freedom and democracy, which he desperately wanted Hungary to embrace. He also knew that NATO was a promise, a guarantee that countries with these shared values would never be left to stand alone against aggressors. He wanted this guarantee for his native land, and he worked with energy and passion behind the scenes to help bring it to pass, including with Democratic Majority Leader Richard Gephardt, then-Senator Joe Biden, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Dante Fascell, and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, among others.  

In the 25 years since Hungary’s accession, and nearly 75 since NATO’s establishment, many other countries have joined the Alliance – most recently, Sweden only a few days ago. We may wish that 75 years down the road, we would no longer have need of such a military alliance, but the reality is that NATO’s importance has only grown. Russian’s bloody war of aggression against Ukraine has shaken the post-Cold War international system that once seemed so stable and has put into stark relief the critical role that NATO plays in bringing western democracies together to stand against the expansionist aims of authoritarian leaders like Putin. In recent years, some have called into question NATO’s value to the world and its strategic importance. If there was ever any doubt, Putin’s criminal war should have laid such ignorant ideas to rest. 

As we reflect on the day that Hungary officially joined NATO, we also remember the words of Tom Lantos the following year, when Hungary marked a millennium since its founding. “As we celebrate this momentous occasion, it is important, however, to hoist a flag of caution,” he said. “Democracy in Hungary is functioning, but certainly not without its imperfections…So while [I congratulate] Hungary for having put an end to its fascist and communist past and having joined the family of democratic and freedom loving nations, I call on all Hungarians to meticulously observe the rules of political democracy and pluralism without which a promising future certainly will not be there.” 

These words of caution have as much relevance today as they did when Congressman Lantos first spoke them. While Hungary remains a member of the democratic community – and an important one – it too often flirts with undemocratic actions and illiberal ideologies. No one loved Hungary more than Tom Lantos, and no one was more invested in seeing it continue to grow and develop as a vibrant democracy. We hope that this day of reflection on and remembrance of Hungary’s historic accession to NATO will also serve as a reminder of the shared values and principles that this accession confirmed – and to which Tom Lantos dedicated so much of his life.

Gulshan Abbas added to Defending Freedoms Project List of Prisoners of Conscience

Retired Uyghur doctor Gulshan Abbas has been detained in Xinjiang, China, since 2018. We are thrilled to share that this week she was added to the list of Prisoners of Conscience as part of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission’s Defending Freedoms Project. We are so grateful to Rep. Ro Khanna for choosing to advocate on behalf of this peaceful, law-abiding grandmother, who has been unjustly targeted due to her sister’s activism against China’s oppression of the Uyghurs. With the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of China coming up next week, this move is another important reminder of China’s abysmal human rights record. It will be an affront to Dr. Abbas and all those held #WithoutJustCause in China if the Council fails to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for its manifold human rights abuses. For now, we are heartened by the fact that Dr. Abbas has a designated congressional advocate who has joined the fight for her freedom.

Faith and Human Rights Leaders Urge United Nations to Stand Against China’s Religious Freedom Violations

Media contact:

Chelsea Hedquist

press@lantosfoundation.org

January 11, 2024 – Ahead of China’s upcoming review before the United Nations Human Rights Council, a group of multi-faith and human rights leaders have written to the Council urging its members to take a principled stand against the Chinese government’s “increasingly severe suppression of religious freedom.”

“As leaders and practitioners of differing faiths, we speak in solidarity with all our brothers and sisters enduring the Chinese government’s oppression,” the more than 35 faith leaders say in their letter to Council President Omar Zniber. “The United Nations Human Rights Council and every nation within that body has an opportunity, and a profound responsibility, to express that freedom of religion is a universal, foundational right. It must be defended vociferously wherever persecution occurs.”

The letter arrives two weeks prior to China’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) before the Human Rights Council, scheduled to take place January 23 in Geneva, Switzerland. The UPR is a mechanism for assessing the human rights record of every UN member state and it occurs every four to five years.

In the letter, the leaders, who represent a variety of faith and belief communities, note with alarm that the situation inside China has only gotten worse since the Chinese government’s last UPR in 2018. For example:

•  China’s efforts to erode Tibetan Buddhism are expanding, with the Chinese government demanding the right to approve Buddhist clergy and plotting to appoint a successor to the 88-year-old Dalai Lama.

• China is systematically destroying mosques in the Uyghur region and even trying to rewrite not just the Quran but other essential religious texts as well.

• The nine-year sentence given to Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Covenant Church on charges of “inciting subversion of state power" and “illegal business activity” is part of an increasing trend to separate influential leaders from their churches.

Unless the international community takes action, it is certain that millions of people from different faiths and belief traditions will suffer hardship, censure, torture, and even death across China, the letter says. 

However, the leaders emphasize that the problem goes beyond China, with religion-based persecution and religious freedom violations rising in many parts of the world. If the Human Rights Council doesn’t hold China accountable, that will signal to other regimes that extreme religious freedom abuses will go unchallenged.

“For this reason,” the letter says, “it is urgent and imperative that our global leaders and the United Nations itself directly confront the Chinese government’s relentless suppression of religious freedom. This must be done not only in the name of reform and progress in China, but also as a call for religious freedom for every faith and every human being everywhere.”

View the full text of the letter and all signatories here. For media inquiries or to request interviews with signatories, contact press@lantosfoundation.org.

 ###

Content Link Block

Select a page and create a visual link to it. Learn more

News

Meet the Lantos Fellows – Vadood Nasir

Named after Tom Lantos, who initially arrived in the United States on a scholarship and later became a professor, the Lantos Congressional Fellows program honors his deep-seated belief in the power of education and the value of life-long learning.

Lantos Fellows are carefully chosen from a select group of post-college and post-graduate level students from Europe and Israel. Through fellowships hosted by U.S. congressional offices, they have the opportunity to work in the United States and gain a better understanding of the role of human rights in American politics and the legislative process.

More than 100 fellows have participated in the program from countries including Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Nearly 50 congressional offices have hosted Lantos Fellows, and the program is fully bipartisan – both Republican and Democratic offices host Lantos Fellows.

Vadood Nasir: Vadood is a UK-based German national who is trained as a barrister and has experience in human rights policy work, advocacy, and campaigning.  Throughout his professional legal career in the public and private sectors, Vadood has been committed to substantial volunteering roles for human rights causes including persecution, modern slavery, and asylum seekers.  Born in Pakistan, Vadood is deeply invested in minority rights and religious freedom. 

City/Country of Origin: Mannheim, Germany

Languages Spoken: English, German, Urdu and Punjabi

University Degrees: Barrister (Called to the Bar of England and Wales), Master of Laws (LLM), Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB Hons.)

Top Professional Experiences/Achievements: Advocacy on behalf of prisoners of conscience and religious minorities at various platforms with international human rights NGOs; volunteering for humanitarian causes; advising All Party Parliamentary Groups (UK) on human rights and foreign policy issues; conducting pro-bono legal advice for the less privileged in society; and work experience in London at top level aw firms in arbitration, corporate, banking, and insurance sectors. 

What motivated you to apply for the Lantos Fellows Program? Tom Lantos has always been an inspirational figure. He passionately believed in human rights and freedom of religion for all. He fought for the oppressed and his legacy continues to live on for generations to come. The Lantos Foundation, set up in his memory, has been a leading voice for the voiceless. I very much align myself with the ethos and values of prioritizing human rights and justice, raising awareness of human rights violations and challenges through campaigns and initiatives, and empowering those at the frontlines of human rights struggles. This motivated me to apply for the fellowship program. The Lantos Foundation provides a unique opportunity for young human rights professionals. Dr. Katrina Lantos -- a strong voice for religious freedom -- as President of the Lantos Foundation has established the foundation as a distinguished voice for the voiceless. 

What do you hope to learn or gain from your time as a Lantos Fellow? I hope to gain hands-on experience in the functioning of Congress. An understanding of the conversations and deliberations on policy making, that lead into the legislative process, which in turn has a global impact. And the role human rights play in the policy framework. As an added benefit, I will make new friends, exchange ideas, and learn from other fellows and human rights professionals. Of course, I can’t miss out on exploring DC, the culture and taking advantage of free museums and the variety of restaurant choices.

If you could have dinner with any human rights figure (living or deceased), who would it be? What would you talk about or what would you ask them? I take inspiration from Chaudhry Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khan (1893-1985) in my career. An eminent jurist, diplomat, and statesman, he is the only person to date to serve as the President of both the UN General Assembly and the International Court of Justice. According to former first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, he was crucial in passing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I would talk about his faith. As a devoted Ahmadi Muslim, he maintained a balance between professional work and religion obligations. The conversation would be about his discipline, what inspired him, the trust placed in him by many countries to advocate for their rights, and his absolute faith in God in every matter.

Tom Lantos always believed that human rights should transcend partisan politics. Do you believe this is still possible, even in a political climate with such deep partisan divisions? If so, how do you believe we can bring people together over key human rights issues? I agree with Tom Lantos. Politics has always been divisive in one form or another. He was successful in bringing them together for a common cause. I believe it is still possible. All human beings are equal, born equal, and deserve to be treated equally with respect and dignity. No child chooses their parents, country, or household. “In God we Trust” reads every institution, and is the motto of the United States of America. In my opinion, the belief in God, faith, and religion can bring people together. 

Meet the Lantos Fellows – Haris Sehovic

Named after Tom Lantos, who initially arrived in the United States on a scholarship and later became a professor, the Lantos Congressional Fellows program honors his deep-seated belief in the power of education and the value of life-long learning.

Lantos Fellows are carefully chosen from a select group of post-college and post-graduate level students from Europe and Israel. Through fellowships hosted by U.S. congressional offices, they have the opportunity to work in the United States and gain a better understanding of the role of human rights in American politics and the legislative process.

More than 100 fellows have participated in the program from countries including Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Nearly 50 congressional offices have hosted Lantos Fellows, and the program is fully bipartisan – both Republican and Democratic offices host Lantos Fellows.

Haris Sehovic. Haris is a native of Bosnia-Herzegovina with a demonstrated commitment to foreign policy and national security. With professional experience in both counter terrorism and higher education and significant volunteer positions with OSCE and democracy building groups, he brings expertise with international cooperative efforts, research and written publications. Haris is also an aspiring filmmaker and a devotee of the American film industry.

City/Country of Origin: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Languages Spoken: English, French

Top Professional Experiences/Achievements: Became a member of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Youth Advisory Group and advanced efforts for cyber security sector reform in the country; advocated for the fight against menstrual poverty in BiH through the Humanity in Action BiH project by calling on the government to ensure that young women and girls have access to free menstrual products.

What motivated you to apply for the Lantos Fellowship program? The main motivation was to follow in the footsteps of late Tom Lantos, to acquire legislative knowledge and experience in the US Congress and apply it upon returning home to Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is a lot of work to be done back home in terms of basic human rights, all of which stem from the flawed Dayton Constitutional foundations. Hopefully I will be able to bring about changes in line with European Court of Human Rights decisions.

What do you hope to learn or gain from your time as a Lantos Fellow? I hope to learn how to negotiate better by observing how US Representatives work across the political aisle in order to pass legislation which will improve the lives of all Americans. That is something that political life in my country needs more of -- constructive political proposals and efforts to find common ground.

If this will be your first time living in DC/the United States, what are you most excited about? I'm most excited about experiencing new food, as the Balkans people are very passionate about food (especially our own). This will be the perfect opportunity to try out new cuisine from every corner of the globe.

What will you miss the most from your native country while you are living in America? My family and friends, but I will be able to manage on my own as this is once in a lifetime opportunity.

What is your dream job? How do you think being a Lantos Fellow will help you on your career path? When talking about my dream job, I always say that it's going to be a position which will allow me to help people who cannot help themselves. Now what that position is going to be exactly, whether in the government sector or in an NGO, remains to be seen.

Meet the Lantos Fellows – Janne Linder

Named after Tom Lantos, who initially arrived in the United States on a scholarship and later became a professor, the Lantos Congressional Fellows program honors his deep-seated belief in the power of education and the value of life-long learning.

Lantos Fellows are carefully chosen from a select group of post-college and post-graduate level students from Europe and Israel. Through fellowships hosted by U.S. congressional offices, they have the opportunity to work in the United States and gain a better understanding of the role of human rights in American politics and the legislative process.

More than 100 fellows have participated in the program from countries including Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Nearly 50 congressional offices have hosted Lantos Fellows, and the program is fully bipartisan – both Republican and Democratic offices host Lantos Fellows.

Janne Linder is a German national who is midway through a Masters Program in International Studies and Peace/Conflict Resolution. He has professional international relations NGO experience in research and has experience in both the German Parliament and Parliamentary elections. Janne spent a gap year in South Africa working on children’s issues and remains committed to education, particularly civic education.

City/Country of Origin: Essen, Germany

Languages Spoken: German, English, Portuguese, French

University Degrees: BA in Political Science and History from the Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat Heidelberg, Masters Program “International Studies/Peace and Conflict Research” from Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt am Main (in progress).

Top Professional Experiences/Achievements: I have been engaged in civic education for six years, giving workshops and hosting political simulation games in schools. I’ve worked in the German Bundestag for a Parliamentarian of the Green Party who was a member of the committee for Human Rights at that time. I have worked for the German television broadcaster ZDF and a federal election campaign for the Green Party. I received a study scholarship from the protestant education institute Villigst Evangelisches Studienwerk.

Tom Lantos always believed that human rights should transcend partisan politics. Do you believe this is still possible, even in a political climate with such deep partisan divisions? If so, how do you believe we can bring people together over key human rights issues? Unfortunately, I believe this is no longer possible in the American context. The GOP has turned out to be a White Supremacist party that has lost its traditional political compass. This development is not solely linked to the person of Trump. The disgust for democratic processes and the American constitution, as well as the general lack of political orientation of the Republican party, unloads itself in a misanthropic mindset. This seems unable to connect with the nonpartisan humanity ideal that Human Rights advocates try to pursue. Two things seem particularly relevant to me for human rights advocacy at the moment: the ability to adopt perspectives that are not your own -- and the realization that no group’s human rights should be given priority to, but that a decent life for all requires a combination of different human rights.

What will you miss the most from your native country while you are living in America? A very German answer to that question would be "bread without sugar.” Apart from that, I enjoy being away from my usual contexts, but I also miss my partner, friends, and family. For the third part, I have to say in advance that a lot of people in DC that I have met presume that a lot of things are somehow better in Germany and that I will feel that the US is somehow dysfunctional. But I don't feel that way! The biggest difference I might feel is that the US lacks a moral consensus on the need to reduce food and packaging waste, as well as to severely change the way we should feed ourselves.

If you could have dinner with any human rights figure (living or deceased), who would it be? What would you talk about or what would you ask them? I see it as a life task to keep the memory of the Shoah and the Nazi regime in my country relevant and alive. The far-right party is again at 20% in polls and that scares me and makes me angry. In this somewhat bizarre counterfactual scenario, I would therefore appreciate meeting eyewitnesses of this dark period in German and European history. My father's work as a priest is highly inspired by the writings of the liberal theologist Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was killed in a concentration camp in the last weeks of the Third Reich. To meet him would be fascinating, as well as meeting the most important female philosopher of the 20th century, Hannah Arendt (There is only one human right: the right to have rights), or her companion Walter Benjamin.

What do you hope to learn or gain from your time as a Lantos Fellow? Being in the US for the first time, I hope to gain a sense of the Western transatlantic relationship from the other side. This impacts various things: the understanding of the relevance and nuances of advocacy for Human Rights; the inner functioning of the political system; how to live a life; understanding of core values such as justice, freedom, and equality; and how different Western societies tackle their histories and the injustices and violence that lay within them. I hope to see as much of the US as possible and to never get bored and too accustomed to the exceptional gift to get up every day, to cycle to the Capitol, and to go to work.

Meet the 2023 Lantos Congressional Fellows

The Lantos Foundation is thrilled to present our newest class of Lantos Congressional Fellows. Named after Tom Lantos, who initially arrived in the United States on a scholarship and later became a professor, the Lantos Congressional Fellows Program honors his deep-seated belief in the power of education and the value of life-long learning. The program carries on his commitment to educating the next generation.

Lantos Fellows are carefully chosen from a select group of post-college and post-graduate level students from Europe and Israel. Through fellowships hosted by U.S. congressional offices, they have the opportunity to work in the United States and gain a better understanding of the role of human rights in American politics and the legislative process. The Fellows participate in weekly meetings with leading human rights activists, policy experts and other professionals.

More than 100 fellows have participated in the program from countries including Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Nearly 50 congressional offices have hosted Lantos Fellows, and the program is fully bipartisan – both Republican and Democratic offices host Lantos Fellows.

Learn more about the Lantos Congressional Fellows Program and apply for the class of 2024 here.

This year four outstanding Lantos Fellows have been selected to participate in the program. Over the coming weeks we will introduce you to our 2023 fellows.

Neofytos Sakellaridis Mangouras – “Neo” – Neo holds dual Greek and American citizenship and is currently pursuing his PhD in legal theory in Scotland. With extensive legal and academic teaching backgrounds, Neo brings a wealth of practical and theoretical experience in legal rights, international law, and human rights. His is also a champion cyclist having ridden with the Greek National team.

City/Country of Origin: Athens, Greece

Languages spoken:  English, Greek, basic German, elementary Dutch and Danish

University Degrees: LLB from the University of Athens, LLM from the University of Copenhagen, PhD from the University of Glasgow (in progress).

Top Professional Experiences/Achievements: Lecturer-in-law, Maastricht University;, Research Assistant for the Just Transition Cluster, University of Glasgow.

What motivated you to apply for the Lantos Fellows Program? Seeing how ideas of what is right can be transformed into legislation was the most significant motivating force. The transfer from the world of human rights to tangible protections and all that entails really drew me in.

What are you most looking forward to during your fellowship? To get hands-on experience with human rights issues in the legislative arena. A little bit could go a long way.

What unique experiences and perspectives do you hope to bring to the congressional office where you will be working? There is a thought that John Dewey wrote that big theoretical ideas are necessary and useful to make practice more intelligent. With my background in legal theory, I will try my hardest to bring this view forward.

If you could have dinner with any human rights figure (living or deceased), who would it be? What would you talk about, or what would you ask them? This is a toss up between two pragmatic Nobel Peace Prize winners. One is President Barack Obama and the other is President Martti Ahtisaari. Discussions over dinner would cover concessions and – in question form – would be: “Where do you draw the line between doing what is right and getting something done?”

Tom Lantos always believed that human rights should transcend partisan politics. Do you believe this is still possible, even in a political climate with such deep partisan divisions? If so, how do you believe we can bring people together over vital human rights issues? As in all politics, true progress is made through cooperation, even if it seems to be in vain. While this isn’t exactly transcendence, human rights need constant progress, even if incremental. And jumping over party lines to complete what can be done is the first step.