September 27, 2023

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118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 735

Requesting information on Azerbaijan’s human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 27, 2023

Mr. Schiff (for himself, Mr. Pallone, and Mr. Costa) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

RESOLUTION

Requesting information on Azerbaijan’s human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Resolved,

SECTION 1. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON AZERBAIJAN’S HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES.

(a) Statement Requested.—The House of Representatives requests that the Secretary of State, not later than 30 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution, transmit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304(c)), a statement, prepared in collaboration with the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and the Office of the Legal Adviser, regarding Azerbaijan’s human rights practices.

(b) Elements.—The statement submitted under subsection (a) shall include the following elements:

1. All available information about the observance and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan, including information concerning alleged violations of internationally recognized human rights by the Government of Azerbaijan, including—
• (A) unlawful or arbitrary killings;
• (B) torture;
• (C) cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of detainees;
• (D) political prisoners;
• (E) arbitrary arrest or detention;
• (F) restrictions on freedom of assembly, association, and movement;
• (G) pervasive problems with the independence of the judiciary;
• (H) forced disappearances;
• (I) serious restrictions on freedom of speech, expression, and the media;
• (J) severe restrictions on political participation;
• (K) discrimination against women and gender-based violence;
• (L) restrictions on religious freedom;
• (M) serious restrictions on internet freedom; and
• (N) existence of the worst forms of child labor.
2. A description of the steps that the United States Government has taken—
• (A) to promote respect for and observance of human rights in Azerbaijan and by the Government of Azerbaijan, including in the context of the conflict with Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh);
• (B) to discourage any practices in Azerbaijan that are inimical to internationally recognized human rights; and
• (C) to publicly or privately call attention to, and disassociate the United States and any security assistance provided for the Government of Azerbaijan from, any practices described in subparagraph (B).
3. An assessment from the Secretary of State, notwithstanding any practices described in paragraph (2)(B), whether extraordinary circumstances exist that necessitate a continuation of security assistance for Azerbaijan.
4. If such circumstances exist, a description of the circumstances and the extent to which security assistance should be continued (subject to such conditions as Congress may impose under section 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304)).
5. Other information, including—
• (A) an assessment from the Secretary of State of the likelihood that United States security assistance (as defined in section 502B(d) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304(d))) will be used in support of Azerbaijani activities related to the conflict with Armenia, aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), and the blockade of the Lachin Corridor;
• (B) a description and assessment of the actions that the United States Government is taking to ensure end use monitoring protocols for all weapons sold or transferred to Azerbaijan;
• (C) an assessment of the impact of United States assistance provided to Azerbaijan over the past 10 years on the balance of power between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and on efforts to negotiate a durable and lasting peace settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan;
• (D) a description of the United States Government’s efforts to implement the Leahy Law in Azerbaijan and ensure that no units implicated in gross violations of human rights receive United States assistance, including information on units that have been rejected in the Leahy vetting process;
• (E) an assessment from the Secretary of State of whether ethnic cleansing or genocidal acts are taking place in Nagorno-Karabakh; and
• (F) a description of any actions that the United States Government is taking to implement sanctions, including sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, to hold accountable Azerbaijani officials responsible for gross violations of human rights or significant corruption.

For more information: www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/735?s=3&r=1&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22h.+res.+735%22%7D