[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1169 Engrossed in House (EH)]

<DOC>
H. Res. 1169

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     December 12, 2018.
Whereas Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971 and established a secular 
        democratic state, which is home to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, 
        Christians, and atheists;
Whereas Bangladesh is the eighth most populous country with nearly 160,000,000 
        people;
Whereas according to the United States Agency for International Development 
        maternal and child mortality rates in Bangladesh have declined by more 
        than 60 percent, production of rice has tripled, and growth in gross 
        domestic product has averaged more than 6 percent annually for over a 
        decade;
Whereas Bangladesh has fulfilled the criteria to initiate graduation from the 
        United Nations ``Least Developed Country'' status and could become a 
        middle-income country within the next 3 years;
Whereas in 2017, the generous people of Bangladesh welcomed more than 700,000 
        Rohingya refugees following the Burmese military and security force's 
        crimes against humanity and genocide against the Rohingya in Northern 
        Rakhine State;
Whereas in recent years, Bangladesh's democratic system has faced challenges, 
        including political violence, environmental strain, Islamist militancy, 
        a refugee crisis, and challenges to freedom of speech and press;
Whereas free, fair, transparent, and credible elections are the cornerstone of 
        every democracy;
Whereas legitimate elections that respect fundamental freedoms are characterized 
        by transparency, accountability, security, and accessibility for all 
        voters;
Whereas strong democracies worldwide make for better trading partners, provide 
        new market opportunities, improve global health outcomes, and promote 
        economic freedom and regional security;
Whereas attacks on democracy and democratic institutions undermine the 
        sacrifices of the Bangladeshi people and the country's commitment to 
        human rights and the rule of law;
Whereas one of Bangladesh's main political parties boycotted the 2014 general 
        election due to concerns about the impartiality of the electoral 
        process;
Whereas Bangladesh is scheduled to hold general elections on December 30, 2018;
Whereas democratic stability, regional security, and economic prosperity in 
        Bangladesh and South Asia are vital to the national security interests 
        of the United States;
Whereas the United States-Bangladesh relationship is built on a foundation of 
        shared values and cooperation on issues including economic growth and 
        development, labor rights, peacekeeping, counterterrorism, and the 
        environment and climate;
Whereas the United States should more actively engage with the Government of 
        Bangladesh with respect to their shared interests in safeguarding human 
        rights, religious freedom, and secular democracy in Bangladesh, while 
        preventing the growth of religious extremism and militancy; and
Whereas repeated attacks on religious minorities, expanding religious 
        intolerance, and growing destabilization caused by radical groups 
        undermine United States economic and strategic interests in Bangladesh: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to promote free, 
        fair, transparent and credible elections in Bangladesh;
            (2) calls on the Government of Bangladesh to respect the freedom of 
        speech and of the press and to heed the Bangladesh Election Commission's 
        request to ensure security for minorities and maintain communal harmony 
        for a peaceful election;
            (3) urges political leaders and judicial authorities in Bangladesh 
        to respect the will of voters and ensure that all Bangladeshis will be 
        able to participate freely in the upcoming elections, and that the 
        elections will be impartial and inclusive; and
            (4) commends the government and people of Bangladesh for their 
        generosity in hosting Rohingya refugees despite the hardships associated 
        with responding to this man-made humanitarian disaster created by the 
        Burmese military and security force's crimes against humanity and 
        genocide against the Rohingya in Northern Rakhine State.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.