Calling on the international community to condemn the Laogai, the system of forced labor prison camps in the People's Republic of China, as a tool for suppression maintained by the Chinese Government.

Bill: 109-hconres-294
Sponsor: Rep. Wolf, Frank R. [R-VA-10]
Introduced: 2005-11-09 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Capital punishment
China
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal justice information
East Asia
Forced labor
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Governmental investigations
Health
Human rights
Import restrictions
International agencies
Labor and Employment
Prisoners
Prisons
Trade agreements
Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc.
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2005-11-09
text: 
 Calls on the international community to condemn the Laogai, the system of forced labor prison camps in the People's Republic of China (PRC).
 
 Calls on the U.S. government to: (1) fully implement U.S. laws prohibiting the importation of forced labor products made in the Laogai; and (2) review implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on Prison Labor in 1992 and the Statement of Cooperation in 1994 with respect to the Laogai.
 
Calls on the government of the PRC to release information about the Laogai, including information about the number of executions at the camps, and the extent of the harvesting and transplantation of organs of executed prisoners.
 
Urges the government of the PRC to allow unrestricted visits by international human rights inspectors to Laogai camps.
 
 Urges the Congressional-Executive Commission on China to investigate the Laogai system and to make U.S. policy recommendations to help protect human rights for Chinese citizens.

action_date: 2005-12-16
text: 
Calls on the international community to condemn the Laogai, the system of forced labor prison camps in the People's Republic of China (PRC).
 
 Calls on the U.S. government to: (1) fully implement U.S. laws prohibiting the importation of forced labor products made in the Laogai; and (2) review implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on Prison Labor in 1992 and the Statement of Cooperation in 1994 with respect to the Laogai.
 
Calls on the government of the PRC to release information about the Laogai, including information about: (1) the number and location of camps and prisoners; (2) the types of business production activities; (3) the number of executions at the camps; and (4) the extent of the harvesting and transplantation of organs of executed prisoners.
 
Urges the government of the PRC to allow unrestricted visits by international human rights inspectors to Laogai camps.
 
 Urges the Congressional-Executive Commission on China to investigate the Laogai system and to make U.S. policy recommendations to help protect human rights for Chinese citizens.
 
States that Congress will undertake efforts to join with the European Parliament to urge the introduction of a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Commission condemning the Laogai and the human rights situation in China.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-01-27
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2005-12-16
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2005-12-16
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2005-12-16
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 1 (Roll no. 647). (text: CR 12/14/2005 H11624)
action_date: 2005-12-16
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): 413 - 1 (Roll no. 647).(text: CR 12/14/2005 H11624)
action_date: 2005-12-16
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H11904-11905)
action_date: 2005-12-14
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: 2005-12-14
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 294.
action_date: 2005-12-14
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H11624-11629)
action_date: 2005-12-14
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
action_date: 2005-11-16
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2005-11-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2005-11-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2005-11-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-11-09
text: Introduced in House