Urging the Government of the People's Republic of China to respect the freedom of assembly, expression, and religion and all fundamental human rights and the rule of law for all its citizens and to stop censoring discussion of the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations and their violent suppression.

Bill: 113-hres-599
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2014-05-27 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
China
Congressional tributes
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Human rights
International exchange and broadcasting
International law and treaties
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Lawyers and legal services
News media and reporting
Protest and dissent
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Rule of law and government transparency
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Travel and tourism
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2014-05-27
text: 
Urges the government of China to stop censoring information about the June 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
 
 Expresses sympathy to the families of those killed, tortured, and imprisoned as a result of their participation in the Tiananmen Square democracy protests.
 
 Supports all peaceful advocates for human rights and the rule of law in China for their efforts to advance democratic reforms and human rights during the past. 
 
Condemns the government of China's ongoing human rights abuses. 
 
Calls on the Broadcasting Board of Governors to take appropriate steps to circumvent Chinese Internet censorship and to provide information to the people of China about the Tiananmen Square Massacre. 
 
Calls on the United States to: (1) make human rights, including religious freedom, a priority in bilateral discussions with China; and (2) instruct the U.S. representative at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to introduce a resolution calling for an examination of China's human rights practices. 
 
Calls on China to: (1) end the harassment, detention, and torture of Chinese citizens expressing their freedom of religion, expression, and association, including on the Internet; (2) release all remaining prisoners who continue to be detained because of their participation in the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations; (3) allow protest participants who are living in exile to return to China without risk of retribution; and (4) end Internet, media, and academic censorship of discussions of the Tiananmen protests and related events.
 
Calls on the Administration and Congress to continue to mark the events of Tiananmen Square. 
 
Finds that U.S. relations with China are more likely to further improve once China respects the individual human rights of all its people.

action_date: 2014-05-28
text: 

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

 
Urges the government of China to stop censoring information about the June 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
 
 Expresses sympathy to the families of those killed, tortured, and imprisoned as a result of their participation in the Tiananmen Square democracy protests.
 
 Supports all peaceful advocates for human rights and the rule of law in China for their efforts to advance democratic reforms and human rights during the past. 
 
Condemns the government of China's ongoing human rights abuses. 
 
Calls on the Broadcasting Board of Governors to take appropriate steps to circumvent Chinese Internet censorship and to provide information to the people of China about the Tiananmen Square Massacre. 
 
Calls on the United States to: (1) make human rights, including religious freedom, a priority in bilateral discussions with China; and (2) instruct the U.S. representative at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to introduce a resolution calling for an examination of China's human rights practices. 
 
Calls on China to: (1) end the harassment, detention, and torture of Chinese citizens expressing their freedom of religion, expression, and association, including on the Internet; (2) release all remaining prisoners who continue to be detained because of their participation in the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations; (3) allow protest participants who are living in exile to return to China without risk of retribution; and (4) end Internet, media, and academic censorship of discussions of the Tiananmen protests and related events.
 
Calls on the Administration and Congress to continue to mark the events of Tiananmen Square. 
 
Finds that U.S. relations with China are more likely to further improve once China respects the individual human rights of all its people.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-05-28
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 379 - 1 (Roll no. 241). (text: CR H4851-4852)
action_date: 2014-05-28
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): 379 - 1 (Roll no. 241).(text: CR H4851-4852)
action_date: 2014-05-28
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4866-4867)
action_date: 2014-05-28
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: 2014-05-28
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 599.
action_date: 2014-05-28
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4851-4856)
action_date: 2014-05-28
text: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
action_date: 2014-05-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2014-05-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2014-05-27
text: Introduced in House