Resolution calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to immediately end abuses of the human rights of its citizens, to cease repression of Tibetan and Uighur people, and to end its support for the Governments of Sudan and Burma to ensure that the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games take place in an atmosphere that honors the Olympic traditions of freedom and openness.

Bill: 110-hres-1370
Sponsor: Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28]
Introduced: 2008-07-23 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Asia
Burma
China
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Family planning and birth control
Human rights
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
News media and reporting
Olympic games
Protest and dissent
Religion
Rule of law and government transparency
Sudan
Tibet
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: 
 Calls on the government of the People's Republic of China to perform specified actions, including ending immediately abuses of the human rights of its citizens, ceasing repression of Tibetan and Uighur citizens, and ending its support for the governments of Sudan and Burma, in order to ensure that the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games take place in an atmosphere that honors the Olympic traditions of freedom and openness.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Calls on the President to: (1) make a strong public statement on China's human rights situation prior to his departure to Beijing for the Olympic Games; (2) make a similar statement in Beijing; (3) meet with the families of jailed prisoners of conscience; and (4) seek to visit Tibet and Xinjiang.

action_date: 2008-07-30
text: 
Calls on the government of the People's Republic of China to: (1) end abuses of the human rights of its citizens, cease repression of Tibetan and Uighur people, and end its support for the governments of Sudan and Burma to ensure that the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games take place in an atmosphere that honors the Olympic traditions of freedom and openness; (2) release all those who have been imprisoned, detained, or harassed for nonviolently exercising their political and religious rights and their right to free expression for seeking to hold China accountable to commitments to improve human rights conditions; (3) honor its commitment to freedom of the press for foreign reporters in China before and during the Olympic Games, make those commitments permanent, and publicly guarantee an immediate end to the detention, harassment, and intimidation of foreign and domestic reporters; (4) permit visitors to China for the period surrounding the Olympics, regardless of religious background, belief, or political opinion; (5) guarantee freedom of movement within China, including Tibet, Xinjiang, and China's border regions, during such period for all visitors, participants, and journalists; (6) guarantee access to information by Chinese citizens and foreign visitors, including domestic and overseas broadcasts, print media, and websites that in the past may have been blocked; (7) permit political dissidents, protesters, petitioners, religious activists, minorities, the disabled, the homeless, and others to maintain their homes, usual locations, jobs, freedom of movement, and freedom to engage in peaceful activities during the period; (8) end the exploitative and dangerous conditions faced by Chinese workers in many state enterprises and other commercial entities; (9) begin earnest negotiations with the Dalai Lama on the future of Tibet to provide for a mutually agreeable solution that addresses the grievances of, and provides autonomy for, the Tibetan people; (10) end its support for the government of Sudan until the violent attacks in Darfur have ceased and the Sudanese government has allowed for the full deployment of the United Nations-African Union Mission peacekeeping force in Darfur; (11) end its support for the government of Burma until democracy is restored, human rights abuses have ceased, and political prisoners of conscience are released; (12) abandon its coercive population control policy; and (13) review the political prisoner list published by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China with a view to releasing ill and aged prisoners on humanitarian grounds and to releasing those imprisoned in violation of Chinese law or international human rights law.

Calls on the President to make a strong public statement on China's human rights situation prior to his departure to Beijing for the Olympic Games, to make a similar statement in Beijing, to meet with the families of jailed prisoners of conscience, and to seek to visit Tibet and Xinjiang.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 - 1, 1 Present (Roll no. 539). (text: H7342-7343)
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-07-30
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): 419 - 1, 1 Present (Roll no. 539).(text: H7342-7343)
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7518-7519)
action_date: 2008-07-30
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: 2008-07-30
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1370.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7342-7347)
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Mr. Berman moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
action_date: 2008-07-24
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-07-24
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-23
text: Introduced in House