FREEDOM for Gao Zhisheng and All Political Prisoners Act

Summary

Directs the U.S. Government to expand diplomatic, reporting, and accountability efforts for political prisoners worldwide, with particular emphasis on unjustly detained Americans and named Chinese political prisoners (including Gao Zhisheng). It requires the State Department to develop a cross-government strategy and briefing within 120 days, broadens an existing China-only political prisoner registry into a Global Political Prisoner Registry, authorizes the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) to produce issue briefs and receive funding for FY2026–FY2029, and directs use of diplomatic, multilateral, and sanctions tools to press for releases, proof of life, counsel access, and an end to exit bans.

• Expands a China-only political prisoner registry into a Global Political Prisoner Registry and provides a statutory definition of "political prisoner."
• Directs the State Department to make political-prisoner advocacy a core component of U.S. foreign policy and to brief Congress on a cross-government strategy within 120 days.
• Specifically prioritizes unjustly detained Americans and named Chinese political prisoners (including Gao Zhisheng) for diplomatic advocacy and accountability.
• Authorizes the CECC to prepare and publish issue briefs for Members of Congress and provides funding authority for FY2026–FY2029.
• Declares a policy to use existing sanctions and accountability tools (e.g., Global Magnitsky and related authorities) against individuals responsible for arbitrary detention or torture.
• Requires timely unclassified reporting to Congress on advocacy, diplomatic responses, coordination, and use of sanctions, with classified annexes as needed.
• Directs multilateral engagement (including U.N. mechanisms) and coordination with allies to highlight political-prisoner cases and pressure foreign governments.
• Calls for public diplomacy measures and digital circumvention support to amplify advocacy and reach affected communities while protecting sensitive information.