To protect individuals who face reprisals for defending human rights and democracy by enhancing the capacity of the United States Government to prevent, mitigate, and respond in such cases, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · January 31, 2024
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
This bill establishes a comprehensive U.S. government strategy to protect human rights defenders and democracy advocates who face threats and retaliation for their work. The legislation requires the State Department to develop a global strategy within 180 days and submit updated versions every three years, with designated coordinators at each U.S. embassy responsible for monitoring reprisals and assisting at-risk defenders. The bill creates a new visa category allowing up to 500 human rights defenders per year to enter the U.S. with employment authorization if they face credible threats in their home countries, plus their immediate family members. It also mandates increased staffing of human rights officers at diplomatic posts, establishes training requirements for Foreign Service officers on supporting human rights defenders, and expands fellowship programs for at-risk democracy advocates. The legislation authorizes $5 million annually through 2028 for the strategy and training, $10 million annually for human rights officer positions, and $5 million annually for fellowships, totaling $20 million per year in new spending.
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