Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act

Bill: 117-hr-7818
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
Introduced: 2022-05-18
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Immigration status and procedures

International Affairs

Judicial review and appeals

Jurisdiction and venue

War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity
Latest action: action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-05-18
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act</b></p> <p>This bill broadens the scope of individuals who are subject to federal prosecution for war crime offenses. </p> <p>Currently, the federal war crimes statute provides federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere (i.e., inside or outside the United States) if the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces or a U.S. national. </p> <p>First, this bill extends federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere to offenses where (1) the victim or offender is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; or (2) the offender is present in the United States, regardless of the nationality of the victim or the offender. </p> <p>Second, the bill expands federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses to include offenses that occur in whole or in part within the United States, regardless of whether the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces, a U.S. national, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. </p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7818 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 18, 2022 Mr. Cicilline (for himself and Mrs. Spartz ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend section 2441 of title 18, United States Code, to broaden the scope of individuals subject to prosecution for war crimes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act . 2. War crimes Section 2441 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: (b) Jurisdiction There is jurisdiction over an offense described in subsection (a) if— (1) the offense occurs in whole or in part within the United States; or (2) regardless of where the offense occurs— (A) the victim or offender is— (i) a national of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; or (ii) a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, regardless of nationality; or (B) the offender is present in the United States, regardless of the nationality of the victim or offender. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (e) Nonapplicability of certain limitations In the case of an offense described in subsection (a), an indictment may be found or an information may be instituted at any time without limitation. (f) Certification requirement No prosecution for an offense described in subsection (a) shall be undertaken by the United States except on written certification of the Attorney General or a designee that a prosecution by the United States is in the public interest and necessary to secure substantial justice. .