Strongly condemning slave auctions and the exploitation of migrants and refugees as forced laborers in Libya, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-hres-644
Sponsor: Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]
Introduced: 2017-12-04 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Department of State
Detention of persons
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
Human trafficking
International organizations and cooperation
Labor standards
Libya
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Sanctions
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-12-04
text: 
Condemns slave auctions of migrants and refugees in Libya.
 
Calls on the government of Libya to:
 
 
investigate the existence of slave auctions and forced labor involving migrants and refugees; 
 
 hold smugglers, traffickers, detention center guards, and anyone else involved accountable; 
 
 manage migration flows in a humane manner; 
 
 end the violent and inhumane conditions of official migrant detention centers; and 
 
 register asylum seekers swiftly and process their refugee claims fairly.
 
 
Calls on the United Nations (U.N.) to investigate allegations of forced labor in Libya, encourage Libya to allow the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights to regularly monitor and publicly report on the situation of refugees and migrants in Libya, and impose sanctions against Libya if the country fails to end forced labor.
 
Calls on the African Union to conduct its own investigation, work to assist migrants in Libya who wish to return home, and impose sanctions against Libya if the forced labor does not end.
 
Calls on the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to use funds appropriated for: (1) humanitarian assistance for migrants and refugees in detention centers in Libya, and (2) the development of a holistic strategy for Libya to address the political and security situation that includes issues related to migrants and refugees in detention centers.
 
Calls on the President to ensure that the State Department and the USAID are adequately staffed.

action_date: 2018-07-10
text: 
Condemns slave auctions and the forced labor of migrants and refugees in Libya.
 
Calls on all parties to the conflict in Libya, including parties to the Libyan Political Agreement, to eradicate the existence of slave auctions and forced labor and humanely manage migrant flows.
 
Calls on the United Nations to investigate allegations of slave trade and forced labor in Libya.
 
Urges the Department of State to ensure that the country narrative for Libya in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report reflects the scope of trafficking in persons in that country.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H6017)
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 644.
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6017-6019)
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Mr. Royce (CA) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules, by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-12-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2017-12-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-12-04
text: Introduced in House