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[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 344 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 344

     Expressing support for a credible, inclusive, and transparent 
      presidential election in Afghanistan on September 28, 2019.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 26, 2019

   Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Graham, Mr. Coons, Ms. 
 Ernst, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Risch) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                          on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
     Expressing support for a credible, inclusive, and transparent 
      presidential election in Afghanistan on September 28, 2019.

Whereas Afghanistan will hold a presidential election on September 28, 2019, in 
        which the citizens of Afghanistan will have an opportunity to 
        participate;
Whereas, according to the United Nations Population Fund, 63.7 percent of the 
        people of Afghanistan are under 25 years of age, reflecting the need for 
        a fully functioning and transparent government to administer and provide 
        services to the youth of Afghanistan, who are facing significant 
        challenges related to health, education, and employment;
Whereas, in the last parliamentary election in 2018, more than 3,000,000 people 
        in Afghanistan exercised the democratic right to choose the individuals 
        who would represent the people of Afghanistan in parliament;
Whereas Afghanistan has made significant progress on human rights, including the 
        rights of women and minorities, which are enshrined in the constitution 
        of Afghanistan and further protected by the participation of the people 
        of Afghanistan in democratic elections;
Whereas free and fair elections are a fundamental part of a strong democracy and 
        allow the citizens of a country to exercise full civil, political, and 
        human rights;
Whereas a credible electoral process is necessary for citizens of a country to 
        trust in the democratic institutions and political leaders of that 
        country;
Whereas elections should serve as peaceful processes through which the will of 
        the voters is expressed and political power is transferred or 
        reaffirmed;
Whereas the people of Afghanistan will go to the polls to exercise their 
        democratic right to vote amid heightened threats and attacks by the 
        Taliban;
Whereas the Taliban has targeted campaign rallies, candidates, and election 
        events, resulting in 48 deaths on September 17, 2019, alone;
Whereas, since 2001, the United States has invested significantly in efforts to 
        bring security and stability to the region, accounting for more than 
        $800,000,000,000 in efforts that include--

    (1) helping to rebuild Afghanistan, including efforts to rebuild and 
reform the institutions of Afghanistan; and

    (2) helping to defend the rights of the people of Afghanistan;

Whereas, since 2001, more than 775,000 members of the Armed Forces of the United 
        States have been deployed to Afghanistan, of which--

    (1) more than 20,500 have been wounded; and

    (2) more than 2,400 have died while serving;

Whereas the international community has also made critical investments in 
        democratic processes and institutions in Afghanistan;
Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (referred to in this preamble as 
        ``NATO'') invoked Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty for the first 
        time in history in the wake of the attacks on the United States on 
        September 11, 2001;
Whereas, since the date on which NATO invoked Article V of the North Atlantic 
        Treaty, the longest and most challenging mission of NATO has been in 
        commanding the International Security Assistance Force mandated by the 
        United Nations--

    (1) beginning in August 2003 and ending in December 2014; and

    (2) which, at its largest, comprised more than 130,000 troops from 50 
NATO allies and partner countries;

Whereas, in January 2015, NATO launched the Resolute Support Mission, which 
        comprises approximately 17,000 troops from 39 NATO allies and partner 
        countries as of September 2019;
Whereas the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces will have responsibility 
        for providing security for the presidential election in Afghanistan on 
        September 28, 2019;
Whereas, despite threats from the Taliban, people across Afghanistan are risking 
        their lives to support, administer, and secure democratic election 
        operations, including--

    (1) 13,000 women and men who are serving as independent election 
observers;

    (2) 50,000 citizens of Afghanistan who have signed up to be poll 
watchers from the political parties; and

    (3) more than 200 members of the independent media who have been 
accredited to cover and report on the campaigns and election processes; and

Whereas a democratically elected and legitimate government that reflects the 
        will of the people of Afghanistan is in the security interests of 
        Afghanistan and the allies of Afghanistan, including the United States: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) expresses support for a credible, inclusive, and 
        transparent presidential election in Afghanistan on September 
        28, 2019;
            (2) commends the people of Afghanistan for their commitment 
        to democracy, the rule of law, and free and fair elections;
            (3) condemns all threats against the administration of free 
        and fair democratic elections, including all acts of terrorism 
        designed to depress turnout and intimidate voters; and
            (4) reaffirms the commitment of the United States 
        Government to peace and stability in furtherance of a 
        democratic Afghanistan.
                                 <all>
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