Human Rights
US Congress 116th Congress
Recognizing widening threats to freedoms of the press and expression around the world, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2019. [HR-345]
[Human Rights ]
[International ]
[Media and Advertising ]
This resolution condemns threats to freedom of the press around the world. It also remembers the bravery of journalists and media workers around the world and those who have died carrying out their work. It calls on the President and the Department of State to build upon U.S. leadership on press freedom issues.
Sponsored by: Rep. James McGovern
Mr. Engel Moved To Suspend The Rules And Agree To The Resolution, As Amended. on 07/15/2019
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Recognizing the devastating April 21, 2019, terrorist bombings in Sri Lanka and observing 10 years since the end of Sri Lanka's decades-long civil war, which ended on May 18, 2009. [HR-346]
[Human Rights ]
[International ]
[National Security ]
This resolution offers condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the April 21, 2019, terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka and expresses support for efforts to advance reconciliation, religious and ethnic protection, human rights, and security.
Sponsored by: Rep. Dina Titus
Introduced In House on 05/01/2019
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A resolution condemning the terrorist attacks on Christian worshipers in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, and standing with the Government of Sri Lanka to encourage the protection and preservation of religious liberties. [SR-176]
[International ]
[Human Rights ]
[Religion ]
[National Security ]
This resolution condemns the April 21, 2019, terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka and declares that the Senate stands with the government of Sri Lanka in bringing peace and security to the citizens of Sri Lanka, particularly the religious communities of that nation.
Sponsored by: Sen. Marsha Blackburn
Referred To The Committee On Foreign Relations. on 04/30/2019
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United States-Cuba Relations Normalization Act [HB-2404]
[Trade ]
[Telecommunications ]
[International ]
[Human Rights ]
Repeals the trade embargo on Cuba and other provisions restricting trade and travel to Cuba. The bill also (1) removes restrictions on certain transactions related to trademarks used in connection with a confiscated business or asset, (2) extends nondiscriminatory trade treatment to Cuban products, and (3) prohibits and rescinds limits on remittances to Cuba. The President may, in relation to Cuba, impose new export controls and exercise powers related to declared national emergencies. The bill authorizes common carriers to provide telecommunications
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Sponsored by: Rep. Raul Grijalva
Referred To The Subcommittee On Immigration And Citizenship. on 05/20/2019
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Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act [HB-2407]
[Human Rights ]
[International ]
[Children and Youth ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
Prohibits the use of certain foreign-assistance funds to support the military detention, interrogation, abuse, or ill treatment of children in violation of international humanitarian law. The bill also prohibits such funds from being used to support certain practices against children, including torture, sensory deprivation, solitary confinement, and arbitrary detention. The bill also authorizes the Department of State to provide funding to nongovernmental organizations to (1) monitor and assess incidents of Palestinian children being subjected to
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Sponsored by: Rep. Raul Grijalva
Introduced In House on 04/30/2019
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Security Partner Modernization Act [HB-2068]
[International ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Human Rights ]
[National Security ]
[Military ]
[Funding ]
Establishes allows the use of certain foreign assistance funds to provide training and support for foreign-government law-enforcement forces. However, such funds may not be used to (1) provide assistance otherwise prohibited, such as assistance for units that the Department of State believes have committed gross human-rights violations; (2) provide assistance that the State Department believes would aggravate or substantially contribute to corruption, human-rights violations, or suppression of dissent; or (3) support any foreign-government intelligence
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Sponsored by: Rep. Michael Guest
Introduced In House on 04/03/2019
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Burma Political Prisoners Assistance Act [HB-2327]
[Human Rights ]
[International ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[National Security ]
Directs the Department of State to continue assisting civil society organizations in Burma (Myanmar) working to release political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. Such assistance may include support for (1) documenting human rights violations against such prisoners, (2) raising awareness of prisoner issues, and (3) helping former prisoners resume a normal life.
Sponsored by: Rep. Janice Schakowsky
Received In The Senate And Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Foreign Relations. on 09/25/2019
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Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019 [HB-2037]
[Human Rights ]
[International ]
[National Security ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Crime ]
Requires the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to report to Congress about the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and imposes related sanctions. The report shall present evidence about whether any current or former government official of Saudi Arabia had advanced knowledge of the killing, ordered the killing, or was involved in tampering with related evidence. It shall also list foreign persons that the ODNI has high confidence were responsible for Khashoggi's death, materially assisted in causing the death,
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Sponsored by: Rep. James McGovern
Received In The Senate And Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Foreign Relations. on 07/16/2019
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Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2019 as "Black Maternal Health Week". [HR-317]
[Healthcare ]
[Public Health ]
[Race and Civil Rights ]
[Human Rights ]
[Human Services ]
[Children and Youth ]
This resolution recognizes that (1) Black Maternal Health Week is an opportunity to raise national awareness of the state of black maternal health in the United States; and (2) black women experience high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity.
Sponsored by: Rep. Sean Maloney
Referred To The Subcommittee On Health. on 04/15/2019
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A resolution recognizing the Fifth Anniversary of the Chibok Girls Kidnapping by the Boko Haram Terrorist Organization and calling on the Government of Nigeria to redouble efforts to bring an end to the conflict in northeast and central Nigeria and to provide assistance to the victims. [SR-170]
[Human Rights ]
[International ]
[National Security ]
[Children and Youth ]
This resolution calls for the immediate release of all Boko Haram captives, specifically the remaining Chibok schoolgirls and Leah Sharibu. The resolution also urges both Nigeria and the United States to take certain actions to address the abduction of women by Boko Haram.
Sponsored by: Sen. Susan Collins
Referred To The Committee On Foreign Relations. on 04/11/2019
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A resolution requesting a statement under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to violations of human rights by the Government of Saudi Arabia. [SR-169]
[Human Rights ]
[International ]
[National Security ]
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that (1) the President should issue a determination with respect to the involvement of high-ranking officials of the government of Saudi Arabia, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi; and (2) the United States should call upon Saudi Arabia to release human rights activists, journalists, and religious minorities held in detention and to reverse violations of human rights. The resolution also requests that the Department of State report on specified matters with
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Sponsored by: Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Referred To The Committee On Foreign Relations. on 04/11/2019
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Burma Human Rights and Freedom Act of 2019 [S.1186]
[Human Rights ]
[International ]
[Trade ]
[National Security ]
Authorizes aid to address the humanitarian crisis in Burma (Myanmar). It also calls for sanctions and reports related to the issue. Specifically, the bill authorizes aid for humanitarian assistance and reconciliation activities in Burma and other countries in the region, including assistance to help targeted ethnic minority groups and support voluntary resettlement. The President may not provide security assistance for Burma's armed forces until the Department of State certifies that the Burmese military has made significant progress in abiding
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Sponsored by: Sen. Robert Casey
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Foreign Relations. on 04/11/2019
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Recognizing the 44th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. [HR-309]
[Veterans ]
[Military ]
[Human Rights ]
[International ]
This resolution recognizes the significance of the 44th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. The resolution honors the contributions of Vietnamese Americans and honors the service of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and the South Vietnamese forces who fought in Vietnam, including those who gave their lives.
Sponsored by: Rep. Barbara Lee
Referred To The Subcommittee On Military Personnel. on 04/11/2019
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Stop Iran From Smuggling Weapons to Terrorists Act [HB-2280]
[Defense ]
[International ]
[National Security ]
[Human Rights ]
[Military ]
Authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide training to (1) the national military or other security forces of Israel, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar that have among their functional responsibilities maritime security missions; and (2) ministry-, agency-, and headquarters-level organizations for such forces. Such assistance and training may be referred to as the Counter Iran Maritime Initiative. Such training may include the provision of de minimis equipment, supplies, and small-scale military construction
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Sponsored by: Rep. Raul Ruiz
Introduced In House on 04/10/2019
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A resolution recognizing the week of April 11 through April 17, 2019, as "Black Maternal Health Week" to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis in the Black community and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women. [SR-154]
[Healthcare ]
[Race and Civil Rights ]
[Public Health ]
[Reproductive Rights ]
[Human Rights ]
This resolution recognizes (1) the significance of April 11-17, 2019, as Black Maternal Health Week; (2) that Black Maternal Health Week is an opportunity to raise national awareness of the state of black maternal health in the United States; and (3) that black women experience high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity.
Sponsored by: Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Referred To The Committee On Health, Education, Labor, And Pensions. on 04/10/2019
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VERDAD Act of 2019 Venezuela Emergency Relief, Democracy Assistance, and Development Act of 2019 [S.1025]
[International ]
[Human Rights ]
[Energy ]
[Trade ]
[National Security ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Economic Development ]
Directs the President to take various actions to address the political situation in Venezuela. (The United States does not recognize Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's President due to reports of widespread fraud during his election, recognizing instead National Assembly President Juan Guaido.) The Department of State shall provide humanitarian aid to Venezuela and to Venezuelans in neighboring countries. The bill imposes sanctions on foreign persons responsible for or complicit in corruption or activity undermining Venezuela's democratic institutions.
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Sponsored by: Sen. Tim Kaine
Committee On Foreign Relations. Reported By Senator Risch With An Amendment In The Nature Of A Substitute. Without Written Report. on 06/03/2019
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A resolution supporting efforts by the Government of Colombia to pursue peace and regional stability. [SR-148]
[International ]
[Human Rights ]
[National Security ]
This resolution reaffirms support for the people of Colombia in their pursuit of peace, lauds efforts to bring an end to Colombia's internal armed conflict, and reaffirms the partnership between the governments of the United States and Colombia on issues of mutual interest.
Sponsored by: Sen. Benjamin Cardin
Committee On Foreign Relations. Reported By Senator Risch With An Amendment In The Nature Of A Substitute And With An Amended Preamble. Without Written Report. on 06/03/2020
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A resolution expressing the importance of the United States alliance with the Republic of Korea and the contributions of Korean Americans in the United States. [SR-152]
[International ]
[Human Rights ]
[National Security ]
[Military ]
This resolution recognizes the importance of the U.S.-Korea alliance in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and calls for further strengthening ties between the countries.
Sponsored by: Sen. Edward Markey
Resolution Agreed To In Senate With An Amendment And An Amended Preamble By Unanimous Consent. on 01/08/2020
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Expressing the importance of the United States alliance with the Republic of Korea and the contributions of Korean Americans in the United States. [HR-301]
[International ]
[Human Rights ]
[National Security ]
[Race and Civil Rights ]
This resolution recognizes the importance of the U.S.-Korea alliance in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and calls for further strengthening ties between the countries.
Sponsored by: Rep. Gregory Meeks
Introduced In House on 04/09/2019
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Expressing support for the designation of August 23, 2019, as Black Ribbon Day to recognize the victims of Soviet and Nazi regimes. [HR-300]
[Human Rights ]
[International ]
This resolution recognizes Black Ribbon Day to honor the victims of the Soviet and Nazi regimes.
Sponsored by: Rep. Gus Bilirakis
Introduced In House on 04/09/2019