A resolution concerning the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the need for international efforts supporting long-term peace, stability, and observance of human rights.

Bill: 113-sres-144
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2013-05-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Alternative and renewable resources
Conflicts and wars
Congressional tributes
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Electric power generation and transmission
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Mining
Rwanda
Sanctions
Sex offenses
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
United Nations
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2013-05-16
text: 
Commends United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's commitment and leadership to resolving the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and his appointment of Mary Robinson as United Nations Special Envoy to the Great Lakes.
 
 Supports the commitments agreed to by the signatories of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework and encourages them to work closely with the United Nations (U.N.), the African Union (AU), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, the Southern African Development Community, and relevant international bodies and governments to implement a comprehensive regional peace process. 
 
 Urges the President to appoint a Special Envoy to the Great Lakes to represent the United States in international and regional efforts to end the conflict. States specific efforts to be taken by the Envoy, including: (1) supporting justice for victims of gender and human rights abuses, (2) ending the threat posed by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and other armed groups in the Great Lakes region, (3) expanding efforts to develop conflict-free and responsible mining, and (4) mobilizing support for electoral reforms. 
 
Calls on the President to: (1) support the creation of a World Bank Fund for the Great Lakes Region, and (2) work with DR Congo to improve accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses.
 
 Calls on governments of the Great Lakes region of Africa to prevent support to non-state armed groups.
 
Calls on all relevant nations, including destination and transit countries, to increase cooperation on ending the illicit trade in conflict minerals, wildlife, and wildlife parts.
 
 Calls on DR Congo to engage in electoral reforms and undertake security sector reform.

action_date: 2013-06-25
text: 
Commends United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's commitment and leadership to resolving the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and his appointment of Mary Robinson as United Nations Special Envoy to the Great Lakes.
 
 Supports the commitments agreed to by the signatories of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework and encourages them to work closely with the United Nations (U.N.), the African Union (AU), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, the Southern African Development Community, and relevant international bodies and governments to implement a comprehensive regional peace process. 
 
Urges the Framework signatories and the international community to engage with representatives of the government of DR Congo and civil society representatives engaged in the ongoing effort to convene an inclusive national forum. 
 
Welcomes: (1) the announcement by World Bank President Jim Yong Kim of funding to help DR Congo and other countries in the Great Lakes region provide better health and education services, generate more cross-border trade, and fund hydroelectricity projects; and (2) the appointment of Russ Feingold as the United States Special Envoy for the African Great Lakes region and DR Congo. Urges specific efforts to be taken, including: (1) supporting justice for victims of gender and human rights abuses, (2) ending the threat posed by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and other armed groups in the Great Lakes region, (3) expanding efforts to develop conflict-free and responsible mining, and (4) mobilizing support for electoral reforms.
 
Calls on: (1) the President to work with DR Congo to improve accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses, (2) governments of the Great Lakes region to halt and prevent support to non-state armed groups, (3) relevant nations to increase cooperation on ending the illicit trade in conflict minerals and wildlife, (4) Framework signatories to cooperate in the prosecution of those responsible for violating international humanitarian law and for serious human rights violations, and (5) DR Congo to engage in electoral reforms and undertake security sector reform.
 
Urges DR Congo to improve efforts to protect civilians from armed groups.

action_date: 2013-06-26
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on June 25, 2013. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
 
Commends United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's commitment and leadership to resolving the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and his appointment of Mary Robinson as United Nations Special Envoy to the Great Lakes.
 
 Supports the commitments agreed to by the signatories of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework and encourages them to work closely with the United Nations (U.N.), the African Union (AU), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, the Southern African Development Community, and relevant international bodies and governments to implement a comprehensive regional peace process. 
 
Urges the Framework signatories and the international community to engage with representatives of the government of DR Congo and civil society representatives engaged in the ongoing effort to convene an inclusive national forum. 
 
Welcomes: (1) the announcement by World Bank President Jim Yong Kim of funding to help DR Congo and other countries in the Great Lakes region provide better health and education services, generate more cross-border trade, and fund hydroelectricity projects; and (2) the appointment of Russ Feingold as the United States Special Envoy for the African Great Lakes region and DR Congo. Urges specific efforts to be taken, including: (1) supporting justice for victims of gender and human rights abuses, (2) ending the threat posed by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and other armed groups in the Great Lakes region, (3) expanding efforts to develop conflict-free and responsible mining, and (4) mobilizing support for electoral reforms.
 
Calls on: (1) the President to work with DR Congo to improve accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses, (2) governments of the Great Lakes region to halt and prevent support to non-state armed groups, (3) relevant nations to increase cooperation on ending the illicit trade in conflict minerals and wildlife, (4) Framework signatories to cooperate in the prosecution of those responsible for violating international humanitarian law and for serious human rights violations, and (5) DR Congo to engage in electoral reforms and undertake security sector reform.
 
Urges DR Congo to improve efforts to protect civilians from armed groups.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-26
text: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5302-5304; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S5302-5303; text as passed Senate: CR S5303-5304)
action_date: 2013-06-26
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5302-5304; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S5302-5303; text as passed Senate: CR S5303-5304)
action_date: 2013-06-25
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 93.
action_date: 2013-06-25
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with a preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2013-06-25
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with a preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2013-06-25
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2013-05-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3581-3582)
action_date: 2013-05-16
text: Introduced in Senate