Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act

Bill: 116-hr-6986
Sponsor: Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
Introduced: 2020-05-22 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Foreign aid and international relief
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Human rights
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Minority health
News media and reporting
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
Right of privacy
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-22
text: 

Protecting Human Rights During Pandemic Act

 
This bill establishes strategies and reporting requirements related to internationally recognized human rights and COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to submit (1) a strategy for carrying out programs to support democratic institutions, freedom of the press, civil society, and human rights defenders in countries where government measures in response to COVID-19 violated or undermined internationally recognized human rights; and (2) a five-year strategic plan outlining the steps to address persistent human rights issues in the aftermath of COVID-19.
 
The bill also conditions the provision of security assistance to a foreign government on consideration of whether the foreign government used emergency laws, policies, or administrative procedures in violation of internationally recognized human rights.
 
Further, the bill requires the State Department to author initial, monthly, and final reports describing, among other things (1) specified countries' adherence to certain human rights principles in responding to COVID-19, (2) the actions of the U.S. government to address foreign governments' violations of human rights in responding to COVID-19, (3) the impact of such violations on things such as access to health care and the efforts and ability to control the pandemic, and (4) the U.S government's global efforts to counter disinformation and disseminate accurate information about the pandemic.
 
The bill also requires the inclusion of certain information, such as the misuse and abuse of emergency powers, in the annual country reports on human rights practices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organization Discharged.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2020-06-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations.
action_date: 2020-05-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2020-05-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-05-22
text: Introduced in House