A resolution calling for democratic change in Syria, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-sres-435
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2012-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Chemical and biological weapons
Conflicts and wars
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Europe
European Union
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Lebanon
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Political movements and philosophies
Protest and dissent
Racial and ethnic relations
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Rule of law and government transparency
Russia
Syria
Terrorism
Turkey
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2012-04-25
text: 
Condemns: (1) Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's ongoing slaughter of his own people, and (2) Russia and Iran for providing the government of Syria with military and security equipment. 
 
 Reaffirms U.S. policy that Bashar al-Assad must relinquish power and step aside. 
 
Recognizes the efforts of the United Nations (U.N.) and the League of Arab States to establish a cease fire in Syria. 
 
Urges: (1) support for the U.N.-administered Emergency Response Fund to ensure the provision of humanitarian and emergency medical support for the population of Syria, and (2) the continued provision of humanitarian assistance to displaced Syrians in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.
 
Calls on the President to engage with the League of Arab States, the European Union (EU), and Turkey to explore protective options for civilians in Syria. 
 
Demands that Syria allow additional U.N. personnel into the country to observe the cease fire and the government of Syria's adherence to the U.N. peace plan. 
 
Urges the Syrian opposition to renew its commitment to a democratic and inclusive society in the post-Assad era.
 
Calls upon the President to support organizations in Syria that: (1) are representative of the Syrian people, (2) protect human rights and religious freedom, (3) cooperate with international counterterrorism and nonproliferation efforts, and (4) abstain from destabilizing neighboring countries. 
 
 Urges the President to identify weapons stockpiles and prevent the proliferation of conventional, biological, and chemical weapons in Syria.

action_date: 2012-05-07
text: 
Condemns: (1) Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's ongoing slaughter of his own people; (2) Russia and Iran for providing the government of Syria with military and security equipment; and (3) President Bashar al-Assad's failure to uphold his March 25, 2012, commitment to the six point plan outlined by Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan and failed compliance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 2042.
 
Reaffirms U.S. policy that Bashar al-Assad must relinquish power and step aside. 
 
Recognizes the efforts of the United Nations and the League of Arab States to establish a cessation of armed violence in Syria. 
 
Urges: (1) support for the U.N.-administered Emergency Response Fund to ensure the provision of humanitarian and emergency medical support for the population of Syria, and (2) the continued provision of humanitarian assistance to displaced Syrians in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.
 
Calls on the President to engage with the League of Arab States, the European Union (EU), and Turkey to explore protective options for civilians in Syria. 
 
Demands that Syria allow: (1) additional U.N. personnel into the country to observe the cease fire with complete freedom of movement and the government of Syria's adherence to the U.N. peace plan; and (2) humanitarian relief organizations, medical workers, and independent and foreign news media to operate freely inside Syria. 
 
Urges the Syrian opposition to renew its commitment to a democratic and inclusive society in the post-Assad era.
 
Supports the President's efforts to provide non-lethal support, including communications equipment, to organizations in Syria that: (1) are representative of the Syrian people, (2) protect human rights and religious freedom, (3) cooperate with international counterterrorism and nonproliferation efforts, and (4) abstain from destabilizing neighboring countries. 
 
Supports the imposition of an EU ban on the sale of luxury goods and products to Syria. 
 
Urges the President to identify weapons stockpiles and prevent the proliferation of conventional, biological, and chemical weapons in Syria.
 
 Urges all governments, including those that have provided military and security assistance to the government of Syria in the past, including the Republic of Belarus and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, to not provide any additional such assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-05-07
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 388.
action_date: 2012-05-07
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2012-05-07
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2012-04-26
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2012-04-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2734-2735)
action_date: 2012-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate