Sec. 6531. Support to civil society and independent media
278 words·~1 min read·
/bill/117/hr/7900/pcs/section-6531A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development are authorized to provide support to civil society in Burma, Bangladesh, Thailand, and the surrounding region, including by— ensuring the safety of democracy activists, civil society leaders, independent media, participants in the Civil Disobedience Movement, and government defectors exercising their fundamental rights by— supporting safe houses for those under threat of arbitrary arrest or detention; providing access to secure channels for communication; assisting individuals forced to flee from Burma and take shelter in neighboring countries, including in ensuring protection assistance and non-refoulement; and providing funding to organizations that equip activists, civil society organizations, and independent media with consistent, long-term technical support on physical and digital security in local languages; supporting democracy activists in their efforts to promote freedom, democracy, and human rights in Burma, by— providing aid and training to democracy activists in Burma; providing aid to individuals and groups conducting democracy programming outside of Burma targeted at a peaceful transition to constitutional democracy inside Burma; providing aid and assistance to independent media outlets and journalists and groups working to protect internet freedom and maintain independent media; expanding radio and television broadcasting into Burma; and providing financial support to civil society organizations and nongovernmental organizations led by members of ethnic and religious minority groups within Burma and its cross-border regions; assisting ethnic minority groups and civil society in Burma to further prospects for justice, reconciliation, and sustainable peace; and promoting ethnic minority inclusion and participation in political processes in Burma.
There are authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this section for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.