[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 224 Introduced in House (IH)]







109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 224

 Calling on the Government of Venezuela to uphold the human rights and 
              civil liberties of the people of Venezuela.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 28, 2005

  Mr. Fortuno (for himself, Mr. McCotter, Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of 
Florida, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Mack, 
 and Mr. Souder) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which 
        was referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Calling on the Government of Venezuela to uphold the human rights and 
              civil liberties of the people of Venezuela.

Whereas the United States has traditionally had close relations with Venezuela;
Whereas Venezuela has undergone enormous political changes, including a new 
        constitution, a new unicameral legislature, and even a new name for the 
        country since President Hugo Chavez ascended to power;
Whereas the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) has expressed 
        concern that some of these changes have resulted in a growing 
        concentration of power in the executive branch of government with a 
        tendency to militarize public administration;
Whereas some human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch, have 
        expressed concerns about the independence of Venzuela's judiciary with 
        respect to a May 2004 court packing law that expanded the Supreme Court 
        from 20 to 32 justices;
Whereas the Venezuelan Government enacted legislation placing restrictions on 
        broadcast content affecting the full exercise of freedom of expression;
Whereas the Venezuelan Government amended Venezuela's criminal code by 
        broadening laws that punish disrespect for government authorities;
Whereas the Venezuelan Government has investigated and prosecuted several 
        opposition leaders and brought charges against others; and
Whereas there is growing concern by international human rights organizations 
        regarding the deterioration of democratic institutions, threats and 
        intimidations of human rights defenders, illegal wiretapping of private 
        citizens, intimidation of political opponents, and extrajudicial 
        executions of criminal suspects by police: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That Congress--
            (1) expresses its support for the people of Venezuela in 
        their daily struggle for freedom, respect for human rights and 
        civil liberties, democratic self-governance, and the 
        establishment of the rule of law;
            (2) calls on the Government of Venezuela to abide by its 
        freely undertaken obligations under international human rights 
        treaties and international humanitarian law to respect and 
        ensure the rights of all individuals, irrespective of their 
        political views;
            (3) calls on the Government of Venezuela to put an end to 
        all killings, torture, and ill treatment by police and 
        military;
            (4) encourages the Inter-American Commission of Human 
        Rights (IACHR) to continue to monitor the human rights 
        situation in Venezuela and engage with the Government of 
        Venezuela with respect to the human rights situation in 
        Venezuela;
            (5) encourages the President and the Secretary of State to 
        reach out to democracy and human rights activists, and the 
        nonviolent democratic opposition in Venezuela, and to assist 
        them in their efforts; and
            (6) urges the adoption and pursuit of these and other 
        policies to support political parties, the rule of law, civil 
        society, and independent media, and otherwise promote 
        democratic accountable government in Venezuela.
                                 <all>