Urging the Government of China to reinstate all licenses of Gao Zhisheng and his law firm, remove all legal and political obstacles for lawyers attempting to defend criminal cases in China, including politically sensitive cases, and revise law and practice in China so that it conforms to international standards.

Bill: 109-hconres-365
Sponsor: Rep. Kennedy, Mark R. [R-MN-6]
Introduced: 2006-03-28 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arrest
Bush (George W.) Administration
China
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Clergy
Commemorations
Congress
Congressional tributes
Crime and Law Enforcement
Democracy
Detention of persons
East Asia
Education
Fines (Penalties)
Foreign leaders
Government Operations and Politics
Higher education
Human rights
International agencies
International law
Judges
Law
Lawyers
Legal education
Legal services
Licenses
Perjury
Political persecution
Political prisoners
President and foreign policy
Religion
Religious liberty
Right to counsel
Rule of law
Treaties

Summary:
action_date: 2006-03-28
text: 
 Commends &quot;rights defense&quot; lawyers and activists of the People's Republic China (PRC) for their courage and integrity, and expresses moral support for this grass-roots rights defense movement in the PRC. 
 
Urges the government of the PRC to: (1) reinstate all licenses of Gao Zhisheng and his law firm; (2) remove all legal and political obstacles for lawyers attempting to defend criminal and politically sensitive cases in the PRC; (3) revise law and practice in the PRC to conform to international standards; and (4) allow religious believers in China to practice their religion without interference, and release Pastor Cai Zhuohua, his wife, and others imprisoned with him, and allow Pastor Cai to resume religious activities. 
 
 Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. government should support democracy and human rights programs in the PRC that strengthen protection of basic rights and freedoms, and should initiate programs to train lawyers, judges, academics, and students about international human rights law; (2) the U.S. government should seek grant proposals and fund programs to promote legal protections and cultural awareness of the right to freedom of religion or belief; and (3) the President should raise the issue of the PRC's harassment, arrest, and persecution of rights defense lawyers and activists and the need to respect the basic human rights of its citizens and the rule of law during his planned April 2006 meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

action_date: 2006-04-26
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Commends &quot;rights defense&quot; lawyers and activists of the People's Republic China (PRC) for their courage and integrity, and expresses moral support for this grass-roots rights defense movement in the PRC. 
 
Urges the government of the PRC to: (1) reinstate all licenses of Gao Zhisheng and his law firm; (2) remove all legal and political obstacles for lawyers attempting to defend criminal and politically sensitive cases in the PRC; (3) revise law and practice in the PRC to conform to international standards; and (4) allow religious believers in China to practice their religion without interference, and release Pastor Cai Zhuohua, his wife, and others imprisoned with him, and allow Pastor Cai to resume religious activities. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. government should support democracy and human rights programs in the PRC that strengthen protection of basic rights and freedoms, and should initiate programs to train lawyers, judges, academics, and students about international human rights law; (2) the U.S. government should seek grant proposals and fund programs to promote legal protections and cultural awareness of the right to freedom of religion or belief; and (3) the President should raise the issue of the PRC's harassment, arrest, and persecution of rights defense lawyers and activists and the need to respect the basic human rights of its citizens and the rule of law during his planned April 2006 meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-04-27
text: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2006-04-26
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2006-04-26
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 - 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 104). (text: CR H1751-1752)
action_date: 2006-04-26
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 - 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 104).(text: CR H1751-1752)
action_date: 2006-04-26
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1785)
action_date: 2006-04-26
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: 2006-04-26
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 365.
action_date: 2006-04-26
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1751-1754)
action_date: 2006-04-26
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
action_date: 2006-03-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2006-03-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-03-28
text: Introduced in House