[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 17 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 17

    Concerning the extradition to the United States of Salvadorans.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 6, 1999

  Mr. Moran of Virginia submitted the following resolution; which was 
          referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Concerning the extradition to the United States of Salvadorans.

Whereas 24 Salvadorans who have been accused of murder in the District of 
        Columbia have fled to El Salvador to avoid prosecution in the United 
        States;
Whereas these 24 individuals represent approximately two-thirds of the 
        outstanding homicide warrants in the District of Columbia;
Whereas other jurisdictions, such as Arlington, Virginia, seek Salvadorans who 
        have fled to El Salvador for serious crimes, including homicide;
Whereas since 1911, El Salvador has maintained a treaty with the United States 
        that provides for the extradition of suspects charged with certain 
        criminal offenses;
Whereas the United States-El Salvador extradition treaty does not compel the 
        extradition of either nation's citizens;
Whereas the United States has no constitutional prohibition against extraditing 
        its own citizens;
Whereas El Salvador's constitution prohibits the extradition of Salvadoran 
        citizens;
Whereas the El Salvadoran legislature, in April 1997, voted to amend its 
        constitution to allow extradition of its citizens;
Whereas the constitutional amendment permitting extradition of Salvadoran 
        nationals requires approval by two-thirds of El Salvador's unicameral 
        legislature in a second vote before it can be enacted; and
Whereas the vast majority of Salvadoran immigrants to the United States have 
        contributed much to the communities in which they live: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) the return to the United States of all individuals who 
        have fled the United States to avoid prosecution or confinement 
        for criminal offenses and who are currently living in El 
        Salvador should be a top priority for the United States 
        Government;
            (2) the legislature of El Salvador is to be commended for 
        its April 1997, passage of legislation which may lead to 
        enactment of a constitutional amendment permitting extradition 
        of Salvadoran nationals; and
            (3) the Government of El Salvador is urged to take all 
        steps necessary to ensure enactment of a constitutional 
        amendment permitting extradition of Salvadoran nationals during 
        its current legislative session.
                                 <all>