[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 620 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 620

  A resolution seeking justice for the Japanese citizens abducted by 
                              North Korea.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 26, 2023

  Mr. Williams of New York (for himself and Ms. Tokuda) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  A resolution seeking justice for the Japanese citizens abducted by 
                              North Korea.

Whereas the United States Government recognizes that North Korea was abducting 
        Japanese citizens since the 1970s;
Whereas, in September 2002, North Korea admitted that it had abducted Japanese 
        citizens and promised to prevent further recurrences;
Whereas, in October of 2002, only 5 abductees were returned to Japan after being 
        held prisoner for 24 years, despite the explicit commitment of North 
        Korea to investigate what had happened to all abductees;
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights upholds the basic principles 
        of liberty and freedom enshrined within the United States Constitution 
        and Bill of Rights;
Whereas human rights awareness is essential to the realization of fundamental 
        freedoms and contributes to promoting equality, preventing conflict and 
        human rights violations, and enhancing participation in democratic 
        processes;
Whereas these abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea directly conflict 
        with the basic principle of liberty and freedom; and
Whereas there have been several attempts at dialogue between North Korea and 
        Japanese leaders in an effort to yield stable results: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) calls on North Korea to release any abducted foreign 
        nationals, including those from Japan;
            (2) urges North Korea to return the remains and provide 
        information on any deceased abductees;
            (3) urges North Korea to make such restitution as 
        appropriate regarding abductees; and
            (4) urges North Korea to apologize and permanently cease 
        such activities.
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