Bill Summary
This resolution is a request for information regarding Turkey's human rights practices in Syria. It is made in accordance with section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which requires the Secretary of State to provide a statement to the Senate and House of Representatives within 30 days of its adoption. This statement must include credible information on human rights violations by the Turkish government, as well as the steps taken by the US government to promote and uphold human rights in Turkey's actions in Syria. The statement must also assess the need for continued security assistance to Turkey, taking into consideration any extraordinary circumstances. Additionally, the Secretary of State must provide information on the use of US security assistance in Syria, the potential strengthening of extremist groups by Turkey's actions, and any efforts to persuade Turkey to cease its activities in Syria. The statement must also address Turkey's purchase of the S-400 missile system from Russia and any forcible repatriation of Syrian refugees by the Turkish government. Lastly, the statement must assess if the Turkish government is blocking humanitarian aid from reaching communities in need in northeast Syria.
Possible Impacts
1. The legislation could affect people by providing them with information about alleged human rights violations by the Government of Turkey, its armed forces, and associated groups and persons in Syria. This could potentially raise awareness and support for the affected individuals and communities.
2. The legislation could potentially impact the United States' relationship with Turkey, as it requires the Secretary of State to assess and publicly or privately call attention to any practices that are inimical to internationally recognized human rights. This could have diplomatic and political implications for both countries.
3. The legislation could also affect people by addressing the issue of the displacement of civilian populations in Syria and the impact of Turkey's activities on the threat of ISIS and other extremist groups. This could potentially impact the safety and security of both Syrian and US citizens.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 409 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 409
Requesting information on Turkey's human rights practices in Syria
pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 6, 2019
Mr. Menendez (for himself and Mr. Murphy) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Requesting information on Turkey's human rights practices in Syria
pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Resolved,
SECTION 1. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES
IN SYRIA.
(a) Statement Required.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, the Secretary of State shall, pursuant
to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2304(c)), transmit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate
and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a
statement, prepared with the assistance of the Assistant Secretary of
State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and the Office of the
Legal Adviser, with respect to Turkey.
(b) Elements.--The statement submitted under subsection (a) shall
include the following elements:
(1) All available credible information concerning alleged
violations of internationally recognized human rights by the
Government of Turkey, its armed forces, and associated groups
and persons, including the denial of the right to life in the
context of their activities in Syria caused by indiscriminate
or disproportionate operations, the infliction of civilian
casualties, and the displacement of civilian populations.
(2) A description of the steps the United States Government
has taken--
(A) to promote respect for and observance of human
rights as part of Turkey's activities in Syria and
discourage any practices that are inimical to
internationally recognized human rights; and
(B) to publicly or privately call attention to, and
disassociate the United States and any security
assistance provided for Turkey from, such practices.
(3) An assessment, notwithstanding any such practices,
whether extraordinary circumstances exist that necessitate a
continuation of security assistance for Turkey and, if so, a
description of the circumstances and the extent to which the
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)).
(4) 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)), has been and will be
used in Syria;
(B) a description of the extent to which the
activities of the Government of Turkey, its armed
forces, and associated groups or persons have--
(i) caused, assisted, or resulted in the
release of ISIS fighters, supporters, and other
extremists from detention; or
(ii) promoted conditions that support,
assist or have resulted or could result in a
strengthening of the military capabilities of
such fighters and extremists within Syria,
including the practical control over territory;
(C) a description of the extent to which such
strengthening of such capabilities of ISIS and other
extremist groups and persons could increase the threat
to the United States, United States citizens, and
United States interests, both in the United States and
abroad;
(D) a description of efforts by the Secretary of
State and other United States officials to persuade the
Government of Turkey to cease its activities in Syria
and commitments to support United States and
multilateral efforts to comprehensively defeat ISIS
within Syria;
(E) a determination whether Turkey's purchase and
acceptance of delivery of the S-400 missile system from
the Russian Federation constitutes a ``significant
transaction'' pursuant to section 231 of the Countering
America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C.
9525);
(F) a description of any actions by the Government
of Turkey to forcibly repatriate Syrian refugees; and
(G) an assessment of whether the Government of
Turkey is blocking humanitarian aid from reaching
communities in need of assistance in northeast Syria.
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