Calling on the Government of Sri Lanka to address the human rights and humanitarian needs of its civilian internally displaced Tamil population currently living in government-run camps by working with the United Nations and the international community to implement a process of release and resettlement of such internally displaced persons (IDPs), and allowing foreign aid groups to provide relief and resources throughout the process.

Bill: 111-hres-711
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
Introduced: 2009-07-31 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Political representation
Racial and ethnic relations
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Sri Lanka

Summary:
action_date: 2009-07-31
text: 
Urges the Sri Lankan government to guarantee the safety and release of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps and to ensure the rights of these refugees in the reestablishment of their homes and properties.
 
Calls on the Sri Lankan government to turn the operation of the camps over to civilian authorities and allow international agencies and independent nongovernmental organizations to assist in the care of the IDPs.
 
Urges the Tamil people to continue to be patient while the government reestablishes normalcy and urges the Sri Lankan government to move forward in creating political reforms that will resolve the political concerns of the Tamil people.

action_date: 2009-11-04
text: 
Urges the government of Sri Lanka to allow freedom of movement for civilian internally displaced persons (IDPs) to leave their camps and return in safety to their homes or to live with host families or move to open transit sites.
 
Calls on the Sri Lankan government to turn the operation of the camps over to civilian authorities and allow international agencies and independent nongovernmental organizations to assist in the care of the IDPs.
 
Urges the government of Sri Lanka to promote justice and political reconciliation for all parties and engage in dialogue with all parties, including Tamils inside and outside Sri Lanka, on new mechanisms for devolving power, improving human rights, and increasing accountability.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 421 - 1 (Roll no. 854). (text: CR 11/3/2009 H12252)
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 421 - 1 (Roll no. 854).(text: CR 11/3/2009 H12252)
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H12335-12336)
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Poe (TX) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 711.
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H12252-12254)
action_date: 2009-11-03
text: Mr. Berman moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
action_date: 2009-07-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2009-07-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-07-31
text: Introduced in House