[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 73 (Monday, May 1, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 186--SEEKING JUSTICE FOR THE JAPANESE CITIZENS 
                        ABDUCTED BY NORTH KOREA

  Mr. SULLIVAN (for himself and Ms. Hirono) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 186

       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 Senate--
       (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 reparations as are 
     appropriate regarding abductees; and
       (4) urges North Korea to apologize and permanently cease 
     such activities.

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