A concurrent resolution condemning the selection of Libya to chair the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and for other purposes.

Bill: 108-sconres-13
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2003-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Air piracy
Armed Forces and National Security
Bombings
Bush (George W.) Administration
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commemorations
Commercial aircraft
Compensation (Law)
Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congressional tributes
Crime and Law Enforcement
Democracy
Europe
European Union
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Government liability (International law)
Human rights
International agencies
International claims
Law
Libya
Middle East and North Africa
Negotiations
Peace
President and foreign policy
Sanctions (International law)
Scotland
State-sponsored terrorism
Terrorism
Transportation and Public Works
United Kingdom
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-05
text: Condemns the selection of Libya to chair the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
Commends the President for the principled position of the United States in objecting to and calling for a vote on Libya's chairmanship of the Commission.
Calls on countries at various stages of democratization to: (1) demonstrate their commitment to human rights, democracy, peace and security; and (2) support efforts to reform the Commission.
Calls on the President to instruct the Secretary of State to consult with the appropriate congressional committees regarding U.S. priorities and strategy for the 59th session of the Commission on Human Rights and its strategy and proposals for reform of the Commission.
Calls on the President to issue an objection to the continued suspension of UN sanctions against Libya until the Government of Libya: (1) publicly accepts responsibility for the bombing of Pan American World Airways Flight 103; (2) provides appropriate compensation to the victims of the bombing; and (3) fully complies with all of the other requirements of the UN sanctions imposed as a result of Libya's orchestration of the bombing.
Calls on the Secretary of State to engage UN Member States to support efforts to ensure that states that are gross violators of human rights, sponsors of terrorist activities, or subjects of United Nations sanctions are not elected to: (1) leadership positions in the UN General Assembly; or (2) membership or leadership positions on the UN Commission on Human Rights, the UN Security Council, or any other UN entity or affiliate.
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Condemns the selection of Libya to chair the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
Commends the President for the principled position of the United States in objecting to and calling for a vote on Libya's chairmanship of the Commission.
Commends countries that joined the United States in objecting to Libya's selection as chair of the Commission.
Expresses the dismay of Congress at the European Union countries' common position of abstention on the critical vote over Libya's chairmanship.
Expresses its shock and dismay over the support provided to Libya in its efforts to lead the Commission.
Highlights its grave concern over the continuing efforts of countries violating human rights and terrorist countries to use international fora to legitimize their regimes and to continue to act with impunity.
Calls on the President to raise U.S. objections to such efforts during bilateral and multilateral discussions and to direct pertinent members of the President's Cabinet to do the same.
Calls on countries at various stages of democratization to: (1) demonstrate their commitment to human rights, democracy, peace and security; and (2) support efforts to reform the Commission.
Calls on the President to instruct the Secretary of State to consult with the appropriate congressional committees regarding U.S. priorities and strategy for the 59th session of the Commission on Human Rights and its strategy and proposals for reform of the Commission.
Objects to the continued suspension of UN sanctions against Libya until the Government of Libya: (1) publicly accepts responsibility for the bombing of Pan American World Airways Flight 103; (2) provides appropriate compensation to the victims of the bombing; and (3) fully complies with all of the other requirements of the UN sanctions imposed as a result of Libya's orchestration of the terrorist attack on Pan American World Airways Flight 103.
Calls on the Secretary of State to engage UN Member States to support efforts to ensure that states that are gross violators of human rights, sponsors of terrorist activities, or subjects of United Nations sanctions are not elected to: (1) leadership positions in the UN General Assembly; or (2) membership or leadership positions on the UN Commission on Human Rights, the UN Security Council, or any other UN entity or affiliate.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-10
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2003-03-10
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2003-03-10
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S3338-3339)
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S3338-3339)
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S3338-3339)
action_date: 2003-03-05
text: Submitted in the Senate and ordered held at desk. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3199-3200)
action_date: 2003-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate