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

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 221 Reaffirming the importance of upholding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in United States foreign policy. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 13, 2019 Mr. ENGEL (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 foreign govern- ments 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 are consistent with our national character and founding values; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:56 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR221.IH HR221 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •HRES 221 IH Whereas the promotion, protection, and advancement of de- mocracy, 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, 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 it is longstanding United States policy to work alongside like-minded democratic governments, legisla- tures, civil society leaders and organizations, academic in- stitutions and scholars, independent media and journal- ists, anti-corruption activists, and international organiza- tions worldwide to promote, protect and advance the cause of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; Whereas human rights defenders and journalists play a crit- ical role in promoting human rights, transparency, ac- countability, and good governance, and around the world often face smear campaigns, criminalization, or other governmental constraints on their work, including intimi- dation, death threats, arbitrary detention, physical at- tacks, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and mur- der; Whereas support for democracy around the world enhances regional peace and stability, opens doors for economic op- portunity, and provides a counterweight to violent and VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:56 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR221.IH HR221 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •HRES 221 IH radical extremism—all of which is in the national secu- rity interests of the United States and its allies; Whereas democratic systems of government enshrine the indi- vidual human rights of all citizens, so that every indi- vidual can contribute to and enjoy the benefits of peace- ful, prosperous societies; Whereas the United States supports the existence of and has often worked in partnership with independent and multi- lateral human rights organizations, both at local and international levels, and has used their reporting for pol- icy development and referred to their findings in the an- nual Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and other United States policy docu- ments; 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 be- come weaker as a country and undermine our standing around the world; Whereas some countries are actively promoting an authori- tarian model of government as an alternative to the model long advanced by the United States based on de- mocracy, human rights, and the rule of law, with the au- thoritarian 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:56 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR221.IH HR221 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 4 •HRES 221 IH 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 de- mocracy, human rights, and the rule of law: Now, there- fore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) reaffirms the bipartisan commitment of the 2 United States to upholding democracy, human 3 rights, and the rule of law, at home and in the 4 world; 5 (2) recognizes that United States national secu- 6 rity is enhanced in a world in which countries share 7 a commitment to universal rights and freedoms and 8 observe the democratic rule of law, and in which 9 prosperity and justice create the conditions for 10 peace; 11 (3) promotes, supports, and encourages greater 12 respect for democracy, human rights, and the rule of 13 law throughout the world for all people; 14 (4) encourages the United States Government 15 to work constructively with all countries that seek to 16 advance the cause of freedom, peace, and security, 17 which can be achieved only through democracy, re- 18 spect for human rights, and the rule of law; 19 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:56 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR221.IH HR221 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 5 •HRES 221 IH (5) calls on the United States Government to 1 continue its longstanding support for organizations 2 dedicated to promoting, protecting, and advancing 3 democracy, human rights, and the rule of law world- 4 wide; 5 (6) calls on the United States Government to 6 continue its strong support for human rights defend- 7 ers, civil society activists, scholars, and independent 8 journalists working to promote, protect, and advance 9 democracy, human rights, and the rule of law world- 10 wide; 11 (7) calls on the United States Government to 12 set an example for countries around the world by 13 showing the highest level of respect for democracy, 14 human rights, and the rule of law at home; and 15 (8) calls on all branches of the Federal Govern- 16 ment to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human 17 Rights, the Refugee Convention Protocol of 1967, 18 the International Covenant on Civil and Political 19 Rights, and other relevant international human 20 rights agreements ratified by the United States. 21 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:56 Mar 13, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR221.IH HR221 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS