HR-649 : Still Just a Bill

Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019

This bill directs various U.S. government bodies to prepare reports on China's treatment of the Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim Turkic ethnic group.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence shall report to Congress on issues including the security threats caused by the Chinese government's reported crackdown on the Uyghur population in Xinjiang province, the frequency with which other governments are forcibly returning Turkic Muslim refugees and asylum seekers to China, and the development or transfer of technology that facilitates mass internment and surveillance.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation shall report on topics such as its efforts to protect ethnic Uyghurs and Chinese nationals in the United States from Chinese government intimidation.

The U.S. Agency for Global Media shall report on media-related matters, including the reach of U.S. media into Xinjiang, assessments of Chinese propaganda strategies, and U.S. actions to counter such efforts to downplay the crackdown.

The Department of State shall report on the scope of the reported crackdown in Xinjiang, including the number of detained individuals, the use of forced labor in the region, an assessment of government surveillance in the province, and U.S. diplomatic efforts to address the crackdown.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2019-03-04CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.House committee actions
2019-03-04CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.House committee actions
2019-01-17IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2019-01-17IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2019-01-17IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2019-01-17IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Sponsor :

Christopher H. Smith [R] (NJ-4)
See Cosponsors

Policy Area :

International Affairs
See Subjects
  • Alliances
  • Business ethics
  • Congressional oversight
  • Congressional tributes
  • Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
  • Detention of persons
  • Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
  • Executive agency funding and structure
  • Federal officials
  • Foreign and international corporations
  • Government information and archives
  • Human rights
  • Human trafficking
  • Industrial facilities
  • Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
  • International exchange and broadcasting
  • International organizations and cooperation
  • Labor standards
  • News media and reporting
  • Racial and ethnic relations
  • Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
  • Religion
  • Sanctions
  • Technology transfer and commercialization
  • Terrorism
  • Trade restrictions
  • Visas and passports
  • Wages and earnings
  • Asia
  • China
  • Department of State
  • United Nations

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