Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen expressed relief over the release of American citizens Ryan Corbett and William McKenty from Afghanistan. The successful outcome followed extensive negotiations by U.S. officials with assistance from Qatar.
Shaheen emphasized the importance of utilizing all available resources to secure the release of Americans detained abroad. “Any time one of our citizens is wrongfully detained, we must use all levers available to bring them home,” she stated. She credited the government of Qatar for its cooperation in securing their release and highlighted the significance of strong international alliances in ensuring safety.
The senator has been active in addressing cases involving Americans unjustly detained by foreign governments. She was a cosponsor of legislation such as the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, enacted in 2020, which outlines U.S. policy on wrongful detentions and hostage-taking.
In 2023, Shaheen helped pass the bipartisan Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act. This act supports families by covering travel costs to Washington D.C., and encourages mental health support for detainees and their families through the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs at the State Department.
Shaheen has also been involved in securing freedom for individuals like New Hampshire resident Amer Fakhoury, detained in Lebanon, and Pastor Andrew Brunson, imprisoned in Turkey. Her advocacy extends to seeking justice against ISIS terrorists responsible for murdering journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, aid worker Peter Kassig, and Kayla Mueller.
