[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 137 (Tuesday, September 22, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H6183-H6185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF UKRAINIAN FIGHTER PILOT NADIYA SAVCHENKO

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
the Committee on Foreign Affairs be discharged from further 
consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 50) calling for the release of 
Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savchenko, who was captured by Russian 
forces in Eastern Ukraine and has been held illegally in a Russian 
prison since July 2014, and ask for its immediate consideration in the 
House.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                               H. Res. 50

       Whereas Nadiya Savchenko is the first-ever female fighter 
     pilot in Ukraine's Armed Forces and is an Iraqi war veteran;
       Whereas in the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine, Nadiya 
     Savchenko volunteered her services to the Ukrainian Aidar 
     battalion;
       Whereas Nadiya Savchenko was elected in absentia from the 
     Batkivshchyna Party to Ukraine's Parliament in October 2014, 
     and appointed to the Parliament Assembly of the Council of 
     Europe (PACE) as a representative from Ukraine;
       Whereas as a member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 
     Lieutenant Nadiya Savchenko was conducting operations in 
     eastern Ukraine against pro-Russian forces in the summer of 
     2014 when she was captured and taken into captivity;
       Whereas during her mission in Eastern Ukraine, she was 
     captured by the Donbas People's Militia, detained on 
     Ukrainian territory, deprived of rights to due process, and 
     illegally transferred to the Russian Federation to stand 
     trial on unsubstantiated charges of terrorism;
       Whereas since July 2014, Nadiya Savchenko has endured 
     involuntary psychiatric evaluations and solitary confinement;
       Whereas Nadiya Savchenko is currently entering her sixth 
     week of a hunger strike as a symbol of her protest;
       Whereas Nadiya Savchenko is denied access to urgently 
     needed medical attention and access to legal counsel;
       Whereas the Minsk Protocol of September 2014, signed by 
     Ukraine and the Russian Federation, calls for the ``immediate 
     release of all hostages and illegally held persons'';
       Whereas appeals have been made to the United Nations Human 
     Rights Council and the International Red Cross to secure 
     Nadiya Savchenko's release;
       Whereas the international community including 
     representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council 
     of Europe (PACE) and of the United States have urged her 
     immediate release;
       Whereas, on January 26, 2015, the opening day of the 
     Parliamentary Assembly, the global community embark on a 
     public campaign to bring attention to the plight of Nadiya 
     Savchenko and demand her immediate release; and
       Whereas the Government of the United States and its people 
     express concern about the deteriorating health of detained 
     pilot Nadiya Savchenko and her continued illegal 
     imprisonment: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) condemns the Russian Federation for its illegal 
     imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko;

[[Page H6184]]

       (2) calls on the Russian Federation to immediately release 
     Nadiya Savchenko;
       (3) calls on the United States, its European allies, and 
     the international community to aggressively support efforts 
     to release Nadiya Savchenko and other illegally detained 
     persons; and
       (4) expresses solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, H. Res. 50, introduced by 
Representative Levin, calls for the release of former Ukrainian fighter 
pilot Nadiya Savchenko, who has been languishing in Russian prisons 
since she was abducted by pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine in 
2014, and illegally transferred across the border in handcuffs and with 
a bag over her head.
  Since she was incarcerated on specious and unsubstantiated charges, 
Nadiya has endured interrogations, involuntary psychiatric evaluations 
and solitary confinement. She spent four months on a hunger strike as a 
symbol of protest, ending it last April. Her trial opened today.
  Nadiya is yet another victim of the Putin regime's brutality. We must 
recognize that this isn't just about her, but also represents a very 
visible manifestation of Russia's aggression towards a Ukraine that 
wishes to remain free, independent, and democratic. Nadiya is a symbol 
for the struggle of Ukraine.
  Madam Speaker, Nadiya Savchenko was elected in absentia to the 
Ukrainian Parliament in October and was named a member of Ukraine's 
delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. As 
such, she enjoys diplomatic immunity.
  With its illegal annexation of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine, 
Russia has made a mockery of its international commitments, including 
all ten core OSCE principles enshrined in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act. 
Nadiya's illegal detention, along with that of other Ukrainian citizens 
held hostage by Moscow, represents yet another in a long list of 
violations of international agreements and the norms of civilized 
behavior.
  According to the Minsk agreements between Russia along with its 
separatist proxies, and Ukraine, hostages are supposed to be released. 
Moscow needs to immediately release Nadiya and the many other hostages, 
including Oleg Sentsov and Oleksander Kolchenko, who were recently 
sentenced in a Russian court on completely baseless charges.
  Madam Speaker, my amendment calls for the imposition of personal 
sanctions against individuals responsible for the kidnapping, arrest, 
and imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko and other Ukrainian citizens 
illegally incarcerated in Russia.
  Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
50, calling on the release of the detained Ukrainian pilot Nadiya 
Savchenko.
  The Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko was captured by Russia-
controlled forces in July 2014 in eastern Ukraine; illegally 
transferred to Russia, and later charged with trumped up charges of 
murder. Since then, she has been kept in Russian custody. There can be 
little doubt that she is being held as a political prisoner, punished 
for her defiance, and used as a bargaining tool in Russia's protracted 
offense against Ukraine.
  Since her capture, Ms. Savchenko has come to represent the spirit of 
an independent Ukraine. A Ukraine that is free from interference and 
eager to embrace the will of its own people, striving towards the rule 
of law and democracy. We all know that the last two years have been 
difficult. Since the start of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, eight 
thousand people have been killed, over a million people have been 
displaced, and Crimea has become occupied. All the while, meaningful 
progress seems elusive as reports of continued fighting make news week 
after week.
  Amidst all the reports of death and violence, Ms. Savchenko's courage 
and spirit have inspired millions of people around the world. Here at 
home, the Ukrainian-American community in my home district has followed 
her case especially closely. Together, we worried for her health when 
she underwent a lengthy hunger strike earlier in the year. And we also 
worried for her well-being, as her case suffered repeated and unfair 
delays. We now call for her release.
  For those of us who have followed human rights issues, it is easy to 
see through the repeated delays, the so-called psychiatric evaluations, 
and the changes in venues to discourage outside observers. These 
tactics are used all too often as tools of intimidation and confusion 
by authoritarian regimes.
  Ms. Savchenko's trial began earlier today, where journalists were 
barred from the courtroom. I have no reason to believe that her trial 
will be fair, given the precedents set thus far.
  I call for her release, and urge my colleagues to rise in support of 
Ms. Savchenko, and in support of the Ukrainian people. Let us send a 
unified message in support of human rights around the world.


              Amendment Offered by Mr. Smith of New Jersey

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment to the 
text of the resolution at the desk.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the 
     following:
       That the House of Representatives--
       (1) condemns the Government of the Russian Federation for 
     its illegal imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko;
       (2) calls on the Government of the Russian Federation to 
     immediately release Nadiya Savchenko;
       (3) calls on the United States, its European allies, and 
     the international community to aggressively support efforts 
     to release Nadiya Savchenko and other illegally detained 
     persons;
       (4) reiterates that it is the policy of the United States 
     not to recognize the de jure or de facto sovereignty of the 
     Russian Federation over any part of Ukraine, its airspace, or 
     its territorial waters;
       (5) calls upon the United States to impose targeted 
     sanctions against persons responsible for the kidnapping, 
     arrest, and imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko and other 
     illegally detained persons; and
       (6) expresses solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (during the reading). Madam Speaker, I ask 
unanimous consent to dispense with the reading.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The resolution, as amended, was agreed to.


      Amendment to the Preamble Offered by Mr. Smith of New Jersey

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment to the 
preamble at the desk.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Strike the preamble and insert the following:
       Whereas the trial of Nadiya Savchenko is scheduled to begin 
     in Russia on September 22, 2015;
       Whereas Nadiya Savchenko is the first-ever female fighter 
     pilot in Ukraine's Armed Forces and is an Iraqi war veteran;
       Whereas in the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine, 
     Savchenko volunteered her services to the Ukrainian Aidar 
     battalion;
       Whereas Savchenko was elected in absentia from the 
     Batkivshchyna Party to Ukraine's Parliament in October 2014, 
     and appointed to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of 
     Europe (PACE) as a representative from Ukraine;
       Whereas as a member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 
     Savchenko was conducting operations in eastern Ukraine 
     against pro-Russian forces in the summer of 2014 when she was 
     captured and taken into captivity;
       Whereas Savchenko was captured and illegally transferred to 
     the Russian Federation to stand trial on unsubstantiated 
     charges of murder, attempted murder, and illegally entering 
     Russian territory among other allegations;
       Whereas while being kept in Russian custody since July 
     2014, Savchenko's hearing and trial dates have been 
     repeatedly delayed;
       Whereas in protest of her illegal detention, Savchenko 
     conducted a hunger strike lasting over 80 days;
       Whereas her courage and determination have inspired people 
     across the globe;
       Whereas the Minsk Protocol of September 2014, signed by 
     Ukraine and the Russian Federation, calls for the ``immediate 
     release of all hostages and illegally held persons'';
       Whereas appeals have been made to the United Nations Human 
     Rights Council and the International Red Cross to secure 
     Savchenko's release;
       Whereas the international community including 
     representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council 
     of Europe (PACE) and of the United States have urged her 
     immediate release;
       Whereas on January 26, 2015, the opening day of the 
     Parliamentary Assembly, a broad range of individuals and 
     organizations in the United States and Europe dedicated to 
     promoting human rights embarked on a public campaign to bring 
     attention to Savchenko's plight and demanded her immediate 
     release;
       Whereas on February 12, 2015, the United States Senate 
     passed S. Res. 52 by unanimous consent, a Resolution calling 
     for Savchenko's release;
       Whereas on April 22, 2015, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine 
     voted unanimously to pass a resolution ``On the imposing of 
     sanctions on persons responsible for the illegal imprisonment 
     in the Russian Federation of Nadiya Savchenko'', which 
     included the names of 35 individuals believed to be 
     responsible for Nadiya Savchenko's illegal imprisonment; and
       Whereas the Government of the United States and its people 
     express concern about the continued illegal imprisonment of 
     Nadiya Savchenko: Now, therefore, be it


[[Page H6185]]


  

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (during the reading). Madam Speaker, I ask 
unanimous consent to dispense with the reading.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  The amendment to the preamble was agreed to.
  The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``A resolution 
calling for the release of Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savchenko, 
who was captured by pro-Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine and has been 
held illegally in a Russian prison since July 2014.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 days to submit statements and extraneous 
materials for the Record on H. Res. 50.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.

                          ____________________