Bill Summary
The "Global Criminal Justice Act" establishes an Office of Global Criminal Justice within the U.S. Department of State. This office is tasked with advising senior officials on issues related to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Its responsibilities include shaping U.S. policies for preventing and responding to such atrocities, coordinating government positions on international criminal prosecutions, and collaborating with foreign governments and organizations to support investigations and prosecutions of atrocities. The office will also facilitate the use of various tools—diplomatic, legal, economic, and military—to address these issues, assist victims, promote reconciliation, and uphold the rule of law. It will be led by an Ambassador-at-Large appointed by the President with Senate approval.
Possible Impacts
The establishment of the Office of Global Criminal Justice as outlined in the proposed legislation can have several significant effects on individuals and communities. Here are three examples:
1. **Victims of Atrocities**: The creation of the Office is intended to enhance the protection and assistance provided to victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. This could lead to better support systems, including legal aid, psychological counseling, and advocacy for victims' rights. Victims may experience an increased sense of justice and support as the U.S. government improves its efforts to document and prosecute perpetrators of such crimes.
2. **International Cooperation and Accountability**: The Office's role in coordinating with international organizations and other governments can lead to strengthened global efforts to hold accountable those responsible for atrocities. This might result in more effective international tribunals and fact-finding missions, which could contribute to a more robust global stance against impunity. Individuals in conflict areas may feel more secure knowing that there is a concerted effort to address and prosecute human rights abuses.
3. **Policy Impact on U.S. Foreign Relations**: By advising the Secretary of State and formulating U.S. policy related to atrocities, the Office may influence how the U.S. engages with other nations, particularly those involved in or accused of committing human rights violations. Changes in U.S. foreign policy could affect how governments respond to internal conflicts and human rights abuses, potentially impacting the lives of individuals in those regions either positively (through increased support for human rights) or negatively (through backlash from authoritarian regimes).
These examples illustrate the potential implications of the Global Criminal Justice Act on individuals, communities, and international relations.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2009 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2009
To encourage the establishment in the Department of State of an Office
of Global Criminal Justice, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 10, 2025
Ms. Omar (for herself, Ms. Jacobs, and Mr. Castro of Texas) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To encourage the establishment in the Department of State of an Office
of Global Criminal Justice, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Global Criminal Justice Act''.
SEC. 2. OFFICE OF GLOBAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
(a) In General.--There is established within the Department of
State an Office of Global Criminal Justice (referred to in this section
as the ``Office''), which may be placed within the organizational
structure of the Department at the discretion of the Secretary of
State.
(b) Duties.--The duties of the Office are the following:
(1) Advise the Secretary of State and other relevant senior
Federal officials on issues related to atrocities, including
war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
(2) Assist in formulating United States policy on the
prevention of, responses to, and accountability for atrocities.
(3) Coordinate, as appropriate and with other relevant
Federal departments and agencies, United States Government
positions relating to the international and hybrid courts
currently prosecuting persons suspected of atrocities around
the world.
(4) Work with other governments, international
organizations, and nongovernmental organizations, as
appropriate, to establish and assist international and domestic
commissions of inquiry, fact-finding missions, and tribunals to
investigate, document, and prosecute atrocities around the
world.
(5) Coordinate, as appropriate and with other relevant
Federal departments and agencies, the deployment of diplomatic,
legal, economic, military, and other tools to help collect
evidence of atrocities, judge those responsible, protect and
assist victims, enable reconciliation, prevent and deter
atrocities, and promote the rule of law.
(6) Provide advice and expertise on transitional justice
mechanisms to United States personnel operating in conflict and
post-conflict environments.
(7) Act as a point of contact for international, hybrid,
and domestic tribunals exercising jurisdiction over atrocities
committed around the world.
(8) Represent the Department of State on any interagency
whole-of-government coordinating entities addressing genocide
and other atrocities.
(9) Perform any additional duties and exercise such powers
as the Secretary of State may prescribe.
(c) Supervision.--The Office shall be led by an Ambassador-at-Large
for Global Criminal Justice, who shall be nominated by the President
and appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
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