[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 137 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 137

 Reaffirming the importance of upholding democracy, human rights, and 
            the rule of law in United States foreign policy.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 18, 2021

    Mr. Meeks (for himself and Mr. McCaul) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Reaffirming the importance of upholding democracy, human rights, and 
            the rule of law in United States foreign policy.

Whereas strong democracies make strong partners for the United States in 
        fostering the peace and prosperity that our citizens desire;
Whereas democratic principles and values have come under increasing strain 
        around the world as governments backslide on their commitments to govern 
        justly, transparently, and with respect for the rights of their 
        citizens;
Whereas support for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law is consistent 
        with our national character and founding values;
Whereas the promotion, protection, and advancement of democracy, human rights, 
        and the rule of law around the world have been core, bipartisan 
        components of United States foreign policy essential to the achievement 
        of other United States foreign policy goals, including reducing poverty 
        and racial inequality, promoting peaceful resolution of conflict, 
        strengthening global alliances, ensuring gender equality, expanding 
        prosperity, fostering greater security for all people, and sustaining 
        the global environment;
Whereas the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 states that ``a principal goal of the 
        foreign policy of the United States is to promote the increased 
        observance of internationally recognized human rights by all 
        countries'';
Whereas the United States, as a signatory of the Helsinki Final Act, has joined 
        other like-minded countries in affirming its commitment to respecting 
        ``human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of 
        thought, conscience, religion or belief, for all without distinction as 
        to race, sex, language or religion.'';
Whereas this commitment includes respecting the rights of ``minorities to 
        equality before the law . . . [and] the full opportunity for the actual 
        enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms'';
Whereas it is longstanding United States policy to work alongside like-minded 
        democratic governments, legislatures, civil society leaders and 
        organizations, academic institutions and scholars, independent media and 
        journalists, anti-corruption activists, and international organizations 
        worldwide to promote, protect, and advance the cause of democracy, human 
        rights, and the rule of law;
Whereas civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and journalists 
        play a critical role in promoting human rights, transparency, 
        accountability, and good governance, and around the world often face 
        smear campaigns, criminalization, or other governmental constraints on 
        their work, including intimidation, death threats, arbitrary detention, 
        physical attacks, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and murder;
Whereas racism, anti-Semitism, and other forms of ethnic and religious 
        discrimination threaten the rights, safety, and prosperity of 
        individuals around the world;
Whereas support for democracy around the world enhances regional peace and 
        stability, opens doors for economic opportunity, and provides a 
        counterweight to violent and radical extremism--all of which are in the 
        national security interests of the United States and its allies;
Whereas democratic systems of government enshrine the individual human rights of 
        all citizens, so that every individual can contribute to and enjoy the 
        benefits of peaceful, prosperous societies;
Whereas the United States supports the existence of and has often worked in 
        partnership with independent and multilateral human rights 
        organizations, both at local and international levels, and has used 
        their reporting for policy development and referred to their findings in 
        the annual Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 
        and other United States policy documents;
Whereas the idea of America enshrined in our democratic principles is one of our 
        greatest competitive strengths, such that when we abandon these values 
        and adopt the flawed principles and tactics of our adversaries, we 
        become weaker as a country and undermine our standing around the world;
Whereas some countries are actively promoting an authoritarian model of 
        government as an alternative to the model long advanced by the United 
        States based on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, with the 
        authoritarian model representing a threat to the role and influence of 
        the United States in the world;
Whereas some countries hostile to the democratic principles and values the 
        United States has long promoted are also working to erode international 
        alliances and organizations dedicated to advancing those principles, 
        thereby placing United States security and economic interests at risk; 
        and
Whereas the United States has historically allied most closely and productively 
        with those countries committed to democracy, human rights, and the rule 
        of law: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) reaffirms the bipartisan commitment of the United 
        States to upholding democracy, human rights, and the rule of 
        law, at home and in the world;
            (2) acknowledges that United States national security is 
        enhanced in a world in which countries share a commitment to 
        universal rights and freedoms and observe the democratic rule 
        of law, and in which prosperity and justice create the 
        conditions for peace;
            (3) promotes, supports, and encourages greater respect for 
        democracy, human rights, and the rule of law throughout the 
        world for all people, including women and minorities, whose 
        rights should be afforded equal protection under the law;
            (4) encourages the United States Government to work 
        constructively with all countries and multilateral institutions 
        that seek to advance the cause of freedom, peace, and security, 
        which can be achieved only through democracy, respect for human 
        rights, and the rule of law;
            (5) calls on the United States Government to continue its 
        longstanding support for organizations dedicated to promoting, 
        protecting, and advancing democracy, human rights, and the rule 
        of law worldwide;
            (6) supports the United States Government's crucial role in 
        ending racial injustice and religious persecution as a key 
        priority of U.S. policy and an integral part of its mission to 
        promote, protect, and advance democracy, human rights, and the 
        rule of law around the world;
            (7) urges the United States Government to continue its 
        strong support for human rights defenders, civil society 
        activists, scholars, and independent journalists working to 
        promote, protect, and advance democracy, human rights, and the 
        rule of law worldwide;
            (8) affirms that the United States Government must serve as 
        an example for countries around the world by showing the 
        highest level of respect for democracy, human rights, and the 
        rule of law at home; and
            (9) calls on all branches of the Federal Government to 
        uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Refugee 
        Convention Protocol of 1967, the International Covenant on 
        Civil and Political Rights, the Helsinki Final Act, and other 
        relevant international human rights agreements ratified by the 
        United States.
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