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Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act

USA116th CongressS-3819| Senate 
| Updated: 5/21/2020
Edward J. Markey

Edward J. Markey

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (9)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Kelly Loeffler (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act This bill establishes strategies and reporting requirements related to internationally recognized human rights and COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill requires the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to submit (1) a strategy for carrying out programs to support democratic institutions, freedom of the press, civil society, and human rights defenders in countries where government measures in response to COVID-19 violated or undermined internationally recognized human rights; and (2) a five-year strategic plan outlining the steps to address persistent human rights issues in the aftermath of COVID-19. The bill also conditions the provision of security assistance to a foreign government on consideration of whether the foreign government used emergency laws, policies, or administrative procedures in violation of internationally recognized human rights. Further, the bill requires the State Department to author initial, monthly, and final reports describing, among other things (1) specified countries' adherence to certain human rights principles in responding to COVID-19, (2) the actions of the U.S. government to address foreign governments' violations of human rights in responding to COVID-19, (3) the impact of such violations on things such as access to health care and the efforts and ability to control the pandemic, and (4) the U.S government's global efforts to counter disinformation and disseminate accurate information about the pandemic. The bill also requires the inclusion of certain information, such as the misuse and abuse of emergency powers, in the annual country reports on human rights practices.
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Timeline
May 21, 2020
Introduced in Senate
May 21, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Oct 1, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-6986
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  • May 21, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 21, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • October 1, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-6986
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • HR 116-6986: Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act
Cardiovascular and respiratory healthComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadElections, voting, political campaign regulationEmergency medical services and trauma careForeign aid and international reliefGovernment information and archivesHealth care coverage and accessHuman rightsInfectious and parasitic diseasesIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationInternational organizations and cooperationInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaMilitary assistance, sales, and agreementsMinority healthNews media and reportingRacial and ethnic relationsReligionRight of privacySex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusWomen's rights

Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act

USA116th CongressS-3819| Senate 
| Updated: 5/21/2020
Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act This bill establishes strategies and reporting requirements related to internationally recognized human rights and COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill requires the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to submit (1) a strategy for carrying out programs to support democratic institutions, freedom of the press, civil society, and human rights defenders in countries where government measures in response to COVID-19 violated or undermined internationally recognized human rights; and (2) a five-year strategic plan outlining the steps to address persistent human rights issues in the aftermath of COVID-19. The bill also conditions the provision of security assistance to a foreign government on consideration of whether the foreign government used emergency laws, policies, or administrative procedures in violation of internationally recognized human rights. Further, the bill requires the State Department to author initial, monthly, and final reports describing, among other things (1) specified countries' adherence to certain human rights principles in responding to COVID-19, (2) the actions of the U.S. government to address foreign governments' violations of human rights in responding to COVID-19, (3) the impact of such violations on things such as access to health care and the efforts and ability to control the pandemic, and (4) the U.S government's global efforts to counter disinformation and disseminate accurate information about the pandemic. The bill also requires the inclusion of certain information, such as the misuse and abuse of emergency powers, in the annual country reports on human rights practices.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 21, 2020
Introduced in Senate
May 21, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Oct 1, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-6986
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  • May 21, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 21, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • October 1, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-6986
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Edward J. Markey

Edward J. Markey

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Cosponsors (9)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Kelly Loeffler (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Foreign Relations Committee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • HR 116-6986: Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Cardiovascular and respiratory healthComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadElections, voting, political campaign regulationEmergency medical services and trauma careForeign aid and international reliefGovernment information and archivesHealth care coverage and accessHuman rightsInfectious and parasitic diseasesIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationInternational organizations and cooperationInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaMilitary assistance, sales, and agreementsMinority healthNews media and reportingRacial and ethnic relationsReligionRight of privacySex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusWomen's rights