Sec. 401. FINDINGS

300 words·~1 min read·/statute-compilations/comps-15340/sec-401

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## SEC. 401 FINDINGS Congress makes the following findings: ####

(1)The promotion of human rights and respect for democratic values in the Indo-Pacific region is in the United States’ national security interest. ####

(2)Continued support for human rights, democratic values, and good governance is critical to a successful United States diplomatic strategy in the Indo-Pacific. ####

(3)Strong support for human rights and democracy in the Indo-Pacific region is critical to efforts to reduce poverty, build rule of law, combat corruption, reduce the allure of extremism, and promote economic growth. ####

(4)There are serious concerns with the rule of law and civil liberties in Cambodia, China, North Korea, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, which have all been identified by Freedom House as “Not Free”. ####

(5)There have been unacceptable human rights developments in— #####

(A)Burma (Myanmar), which has been identified by Freedom House as “Partly Free”, and the Department of State has declared that the violence against the Rohingya constitutes ethnic cleansing; #####

(B)the Philippines, which has been identified by Freedom House as “Partly Free”, and where there are continued disturbing reports of extra-judicial killings; and #####

(C)China, where forced disappearances, extralegal detentions, invasive and omnipresent surveillance, and lack of due process in judicial proceedings remain troublesome. ####

(6)according to the National Security Strategy, the United States— #####

(A)will “support, with our words and actions, those who live under oppressive regimes and who seek freedom, individual dignity, and the rule of law”; #####

(B)“may use diplomacy, sanctions, and other tools to isolate states and leaders who threaten our interests and whose actions run contrary to our values”; and #####

(C)“will support efforts to advance women’s equality, protect the rights of women and girls, and promote women and youth empowerment programs”.