Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the continuing gross violations of human rights and civil liberties of the Syrian people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Bill: 108-hconres-363
Sponsor: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-18]
Introduced: 2004-02-11 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Arms control
Arms control verification
Arms sales
Biological warfare
Chemical warfare
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Crime and Law Enforcement
Democracy
Dissenters
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Human rights
Law
Lebanon
Middle East and North Africa
Military occupation
Military research
Nuclear weapons
Opposition (Political science)
Peace
Research and development
Rule of law
Science, Technology, Communications
State-sponsored terrorism
Syria
Terrorism
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2004-02-11
text: 
Declares that Congress: (1) condemns the numerous human rights violations by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic; (2) calls on the international community to adopt a resolution at the upcoming 60th Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights which details the dismal human rights record of Syria and establishes a Special Rapporteur to further investigate these abuses; (3) expresses its support for the Syrian people in their struggle for freedom, respect for human rights and civil liberties, democratic self-governance, and the establishment of the rule of law; (4) encourages the President and the Secretary of State, through the Middle East Partnership Initiative and other avenues, to assist dissidents, human rights activists, and the pro-democracy opposition in Syria; and (5) urges the adoption and pursuit of these and other policies to seek a democratic government in Syria that will restore freedom to the Syrian people, cease the illegal Syrian occupation of the Lebanese Republic, abandon Syrian support for terrorism, and live in peace and security with the international community.

action_date: 2004-09-13
text: 
Declares that Congress condemns the consistent pattern of gross human rights violations by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic. 
 
Calls on the international community to adopt a resolution at the upcoming 60th Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights which details the dismal human rights record of Syria. 
 
 Expresses its support for the Syrian people in their struggle for freedom, respect for human rights and civil liberties, democratic self-governance, and the establishment of the rule of law. 
 
Encourages the President and the Secretary of State to assist dissidents, human rights activists, and the nonviolent pro-democracy opposition in Syria. 
 
Urges the adoption and pursuit of these and other policies to seek a democratic government in Syria that will: (1) bring freedom to the Syrian people; (2) cease the illegal Syrian occupation of the Lebanese Republic; (3) abandon Syrian support for terrorism; (4) not pursue development or transfer of biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons, and permit international observers to verify such assurances; and (5) live in peace and security with the international community.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-09-14
text: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2004-09-13
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-09-13
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 342 - 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 441). (text: CR H7003-7004)
action_date: 2004-09-13
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 342 - 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 441).(text: CR H7003-7004)
action_date: 2004-09-13
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7031-7032)
action_date: 2004-09-13
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2004-09-13
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 363.
action_date: 2004-09-13
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7003-7006)
action_date: 2004-09-13
text: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
action_date: 2004-06-24
text: Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules, (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2004-05-12
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2004-05-12
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2004-05-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia.
action_date: 2004-02-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2004-02-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-02-11
text: Introduced in House