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Smith Introduces New Bill on Human Rights Legislation also includes targeted sanctions on |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) – Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe – has introduced the Central Asia Democracy and Human Rights Promotion Act (HR 5382), legislation aimed at advancing human rights and fundamental freedoms in the region. Roughly 15 years after independence, the five countries of Central Asia ( “The The bill provides increased funding for human rights work in the region, while establishing a certification mechanism through the State Department in order for assistance to be distributed to each government. The Secretary of State must determine whether each country has made “significant improvements in the protection of human rights.” This process will have a national security waiver for each of the five countries and is modeled on the current policy established for “One year ago, Uzbek security forces massacred hundreds of demonstrators in the town of
According to eyewitness accounts, on May 12-13, 2005, after the seizure of government buildings in Andijon, Uzbek security forces fired into a large crowd of demonstrators killing hundreds. Uzbek President Islam Karimov rebuffed calls by the
The sanctions established by the bill puts into statute the funding limitations on Original cosponsors include Reps. Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Thaddeus G. McCotter (R-MI), Tom Lantos (D-CA), Joseph R. Pitts (R-PA), Dan Burton (R-IN), and Jo Ann Davis (R-VA). | ||
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For Immediate Release: May 12, 2006 Contact: Brad Dayspring (202) 225-3765 |
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