I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1025 
To counter the mass arbitrary detention of Turkic Muslims, including 
Uighurs, within the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of the People’s 
Republic of China, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 6, 2019 
Mr. SHERMAN (for himself, Mr. YOHO, Mr. CONNOLLY, Mrs. WAGNER, Mr. 
MCGOVERN, Mr. WITTMAN, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. COHEN, Mr. LYNCH, and 
Ms. WEXTON) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on 
Oversight and Reform, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To counter the mass arbitrary detention of Turkic Muslims, 
including Uighurs, within the Xinjiang Uighur Autono-
mous Region of the People’s Republic of China, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Uighur Intervention 
and Global Humanitarian Unified Response Act of 2019’’ 
or the ‘‘UIGHUR Act of 2019’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:51 Feb 20, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1025.IH
H1025
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF POLICY. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The continued commitment of the United 
States to the international promotion of fundamental 
rights and freedoms is critical to global stability and 
the security and prosperity of the American people. 
(2) The relationship between the United States 
and the People’s Republic of China is of immense 
geopolitical and economic importance, and it is im-
perative that bilateral engagement encompass the 
full spectrum of contested issues, including human 
rights matters such as freedom of speech and free-
dom of religion. 
(3) The United Nations Committee on the 
Elimination of Racial Discrimination has cited esti-
mates that approximately 1,000,000 ethnic or reli-
gious minorities within the Xinjiang Uighur Autono-
mous Region of the People’s Republic of China are 
currently being arbitrarily detained in ‘‘political re- 
education camps’’, including members of the Uighur, 
Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and Tartar communities, among 
others. 
(4) The mass arbitrary detention of persons on 
the basis of their religious or ethnic background, 
without due process of law or individualized credible 
allegations of wrongdoing against each detained indi-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:51 Feb 20, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1025.IH
H1025
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
vidual, is not a credible or effective counterterrorism 
strategy and constitutes a severe violation of inter-
national norms and standards. 
(5) Turkic Muslims within the Xinjiang Uighur 
Autonomous Region, and elsewhere within the Peo-
ple’s Republic of China and globally, have further 
been subjected to discriminatory policies and prac-
tices that seek to limit or otherwise restrict their ex-
ercise of universal rights. 
(b) STATEMENT OF POLICY.—It is the policy of the 
United States to— 
(1) oppose the mass arbitrary detention of 
Turkic Muslims within the People’s Republic of 
China on the basis of their religion, ethnicity, or ac-
tual or perceived political views and without due 
process protections; 
(2) support efforts to combat governmental dis-
crimination against ethnic minorities within the Peo-
ple’s Republic of China, including against policies 
which seek to suppress or otherwise constrain the re-
ligious, cultural, or linguistic practices of Turkic 
Muslim communities or to limit the ability of mem-
bers of such communities to travel domestically or 
internationally; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:51 Feb 20, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1025.IH
H1025
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(3) hold senior regional officials in the Xinjiang 
Uighur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic 
of China accountable for gross human rights viola-
tions within the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Re-
gion, including through the application of United 
States sanctions authorities, and voice concerns re-
garding such violations in interactions with the Gov-
ernment of the People’s Republic of China; 
(4) seek the immediate cessation of all efforts 
by the Government of the People’s Republic of 
China to intimidate, harass, or intrusively surveil 
members of the Chinese diaspora community, includ-
ing Turkic Muslims, present within the United 
States; 
(5) pursue a lifting of all improper restrictions 
upon journalists, nongovernmental organizations, 
and American officials operating within, or seeking 
to operate within, the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous 
Region; 
(6) recognize that the actions of the Govern-
ment of the People’s Republic of China in the 
Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region are inherently 
linked with its One Belt One Road Initiative, as well 
as its Strike Hard Campaign; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:51 Feb 20, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1025.IH
H1025
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(7) engage all appropriate instruments of 
United States influence to combat gross violations of 
human rights in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous 
Region, penalize entities and persons that facilitate 
such violations within the Xinjiang Uighur Autono-
mous Region, including the mass arbitrary detention 
of Turkic Muslims, and deter policies or activities of 
the People’s Republic of China, or agents thereof, 
that seek to constrain the freedom of speech or reli-
gion of members of Turkic Muslim communities 
globally. 
SEC. 3. POLITICAL RE-EDUCATION AND MASS ARBITRARY 
DETENTION. 
(a) ADVOCACY WITH CHINESE AUTHORITIES.—The 
Secretary of State, in meetings with representatives of the 
Government of the People’s Republic of China, should 
urge— 
(1) the release of all persons detained in the 
Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of the People’s 
Republic of China on the basis of their religion, eth-
nicity, or actual or perceived political views; 
(2) an end to the practice of ‘‘political re-edu-
cation’’ or mass arbitrary detention practices deriva-
tive thereof; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:51 Feb 20, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1025.IH
H1025
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(3) the immediate cessation of all governmental 
actions that discriminately deprive members of 
Turkic Muslim communities, including the Uighur 
community, of fundamental rights, such as freedom 
of expression, freedom of religion, and freedom of 
movement, including with respect to domestic or 
international travel. 
(b) DOCUMENTATION STUDY AND REPORT.— 
(1) STUDY.—The Secretary of State, in coordi-
nation with the heads of other relevant Federal 
agencies, shall conduct a study to document the 
mass arbitrary detainment of Turkic Muslims in the 
Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of the People’s 
Republic of China. Such study shall, at a minimum, 
include geographic information regarding the loca-
tion of suspected detainment facilities, estimates of 
the number of people detained in such facilities, a 
timeline of escalatory discrimination against Turkic 
Muslims, 
detailed 
information 
regarding 
the 
refoulement of Turkic Muslims to the People’s Re-
public of China, and, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, information derived from interviews with 
former detainees of such facilities, including with re-
spect to conditions in detention facilities. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:51 Feb 20, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1025.IH
H1025
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
(2) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
State shall prepare and make available to the public 
a report that contains the results of the study con-
ducted under paragraph (1). 
SEC. 4. INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY. 
(a) ADVOCACY
AT
THE UNITED NATIONS.—The 
President should instruct representatives of the United 
States at the United Nations to use the voice and vote 
of the United States to condemn the mass arbitrary de-
tainment of Turkic Muslims within the Xinjiang Uighur 
Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, 
and to encourage United Nations Member States to simi-
larly condemn and advocate against such activities. 
(b) ADVOCACY IN CENTRAL ASIA.—The Secretary of 
State, in meetings with representatives of relevant govern-
ments of Central Asian countries, should urge such gov-
ernments to provide appropriate assistance, including as-
surances of safety, to Turkic Muslims from the Xinjiang 
Uighur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of 
China residing in the respective territories of such coun-
tries. 
(c) ADDITIONAL INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY.—The 
Secretary of State, in appropriate meetings with rep-
resentatives of foreign governments, particularly those af-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:51 Feb 20, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1025.IH
H1025
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
filiated with countries that participate in the Organisation 
of Islamic Cooperation, should urge such governments to 
raise the issue of human rights in the Xinjiang Uighur 
Autonomous Region in their respective interactions with 
officials of the People’s Republic of China. 
(d) ADVOCACY AGAINST REFOULEMENT.—The Sec-
retary of State, in appropriate meetings with representa-
tives of foreign governments identified in the report re-
quired under subsection (g) of section 302 of the U.S.- 
China Relations Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–286; 22 
U.S.C. 6912), pursuant to the information required under 
paragraph (3)(B) of subsection (h) of such section (as 
added by section 14 of this Act), describing those coun-
tries that have refouled Turkic Muslims to the People’s 
Republic of China, should urge such governments to not 
repatriate or extradite Turkic Muslims to the People’s Re-
public of China when such persons may be subject to gross 
violations of basic human rights, including mass arbitrary 
detention, or on the basis of conduct or associations which 
would not constitute offenses under United States law or 
regulation. 
SEC. 5. APPLICATION OF GLOBAL MAGNITSKY HUMAN 
RIGHTS ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the President should consider imposing sanc-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:51 Feb 20, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1025.IH
H1025
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
tions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Account-
ability Act (subtitle F of title XII of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114– 
328; 22 U.S.C. 2656 note)) against senior regional offi-
cials in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region respon-
sible for facilitating the mass arbitrary detention of Turkic 
Muslims within such region, until such time as such senior 
regional officials cease to participate in such activities. 
(b) PUBLIC STATEMENT.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President 
shall release a public statement, to be made available 
prominently on the website of the White House or an ap-
propriate Federal agency, regarding any sanctions against 
senior regional officials in the Xinjiang Uighur Autono-
mous Region. 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In the event sanctions have 
not been imposed against senior regional officials in 
the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region by the date 
that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the President shall transmit to the Com-
mittee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions of the Senate and make available to the public 
a report detailing the deliberations underlying the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:51 Feb 20, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1025.IH
H1025
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
determinations of the President to not impose such 
sanctions. 
(2) FORM.—Any report required under para-
graph (1) shall be transmitted in unclassified form 
but may contain a classified annex. 
SEC. 6. RESTRICTIONS ON FEDERAL PROCUREMENT. 
(a) FOREIGN PROHIBITION.—Except as provided in 
subsection (d), the head of an executive agency may not 
enter into or renew a contract, on or after the date that 
is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
for the procurement of goods or services with a foreign 
person who at any time within the preceding three years 
substantially facilitated or provided substantial knowing 
assistance, as determined by such head in accordance with 
subsection (c), with respect to the mass arbitrary detain-
ment of Turkic Muslims within the Xinjiang Uighur Au-
tonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China on the 
basis of associations or conduct which would not constitute 
offenses under United States law or regulation. 
(b) DOMESTIC CONSIDERATION.—Except as provided 
in subsection (d), the head of an executive agency shall, 
before entering into or renewing a contract, on or after 
the date that is one year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, for the procurement of goods or services with 
a United States person who at any time within the pre-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:51 Feb 20, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1025.IH
H1025
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
ceding three years substantially facilitated or provided 
substantial knowing assistance, as determined by such 
head in accordance with subsection (c), with respect to the 
mass arbitrary detainment of Turkic Muslims within the 
Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of the People’s Re-
public of China on the basis of associations or conduct 
which would not constitute offenses under United States 
law or regulation, take into consideration such facilitation 
or assistance (as the case may be), provide adverse consid-
eration to such proposed contract, and, to the extent prac-
ticable, assess the availability of such goods or services 
from alternative United States persons. 
(c) PROCEDURE.—In making the determinations and 
assessments required under subsections (a) and (b), as the 
case may be, the head of the executive agency at issue 
shall, except in the case of contracts for the procurement 
of routine goods or services in support of United States 
Government activities or operations within the People’s 
Republic of China or any Special Administrative Region 
thereof, consult with the Secretary of Commerce, unless 
such agency has independently determined the contract to 
be entered into or renewed would be denied as a result 
of being entered into or renewed with a— 
(1) foreign person domiciled or having its prin-
cipal place of business within the People’s Republic 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:51 Feb 20, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1025.IH
H1025
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
of China, or United States person such agency has 
reasonable grounds to believe is a corporate affiliate 
thereof; 
(2) foreign or United States person with respect 
to whom such agency has reasonable grounds to be-
lieve the prohibitions or requirements under sub-
sections (a) or (b), as the case may be, likely apply; 
or 
(3) foreign person whom the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives or 
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, 
or any Member thereof, identifies in a written com-
munication to such agency is likely subject to the 
prohibitions or requirements under subsections (a) 
or (b), as the case may be. 
(d) WAIVER.—The President is authorized, upon 30 
days prior written notification to the Committee on For-
eign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, to waive the 
prohibitions and requirements under subsections (a) and 
(b), as the case may be, with respect to a person if the 
President determines that such prohibition or require-
ment, as the case may be, would negatively impact the 
national security or national interests of the United 
States. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:51 Feb 20, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1025.IH
H1025
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS