As the United States prepares to lead the G20 in 2026, Co-Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ) addressed the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on March 5, emphasizing the importance of human rights during the U.S. presidency of the forum. The hearing was titled “U.S. Presidency of the G20–An Opportunity to Champion Human Rights” and included recognition of Romanian parliamentary deputies present at the session.
Smith noted that while the G20 traditionally focuses on economic priorities such as macroeconomic stability, financial regulation, energy policy, and trade, there is an opportunity for human rights issues to be elevated within this context. He said, “This emphasis is essential—focus on the core issues of growth and stability, rather than endless expansion into peripheral bureaucratic issues, is what the world needs and wants from the G20 right now.”
He argued that economic prosperity cannot be separated from respect for fundamental rights and freedoms. “The economy exists to promote human flourishing, and people do not flourish apart from certain respect for fundamental rights and freedoms,” Smith stated.
A central theme of his remarks was religious freedom. Citing data from Open Doors, Smith highlighted that approximately 25,000 Christians have been killed globally for their faith over the past five years, often with government complicity or connivance. He pointed out ongoing threats faced by Christian communities in regions including Syria, Iraq, Nagorno-Karabakh, Turkey, Egypt, and other parts of the Middle East and Africa.
Smith expressed gratitude toward President Trump for supporting Nigerians facing jihadist violence: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria… The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria…” he quoted Trump as saying.
He also observed that dialogue on religion has not featured prominently on recent G20 agendas but pointed to a development under Indonesia’s 2022 presidency: “In 2022…the first R20 International Summit of Religious Leaders was incorporated into the official program of G20 Main Events.” Smith credited Nahdlatul Ulama—a large Muslim organization led by Yahya Staquf—for organizing this summit and promoting pluralism within Islam.
Smith urged formal recognition of R20 as a permanent engagement group within the G20 structure: “The R20 would strengthen the cause of human dignity…and help counter religious extremism and defend persecuted minorities.”
He further discussed freedom of speech as another critical right with economic implications. Smith warned against increasing censorship around media and online expression worldwide: “Around the world—including in several G20 countries—regulatory pressures on media and online expression are intensifying…” He criticized what he called a “censorship-industrial complex” involving governments, technology platforms, NGOs, and international bodies suppressing lawful speech.
Quoting President Trump again: “If we don’t have Free Speech, then we just don’t have a Free Country. It’s as simple as that.” Smith described actions taken under Trump’s leadership to protect free speech domestically and internationally.
Smith advocated using diplomatic channels during America’s G20 presidency to promote transparency in content moderation and accountability for government pressure on private platforms. He suggested these efforts could be advanced through existing groups like the Digital Economy Working Group within G20 discussions.
He concluded by calling for clarity in civil society participation funding and governance: “By encouraging Engagement Groups to prioritize principles of sovereignty, transparency, accountability, religious freedom, and free expression—and by insisting on clarity in funding and governance for civil society participants—the United States can help shape a Leaders’ Declaration that delivers not only technocratic consensus but genuine moral clarity on defending open discourse as essential to global economic vitality and human flourishing.”
Chris Smith has represented New Jersey’s 4th district in Congress since 1981 after succeeding Frank Thompson. Born in Rahway in 1953,Smith currently resides in Manchester Township.He graduated from The College of New Jersey with a BS degree.
