U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), along with Congressmen Pat Fallon (R-Texas) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) have introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Ukraine Human Rights Policy Act of 2022.
This legislation would put in place a robust mechanism to hold the Russian Federation accountable for the countless human rights abuses it has committed against the people of Ukraine.
Young
“I have met with the spouses and mothers of Ukrainian soldiers currently imprisoned by Russian thugs who have no idea if their loved ones are alive or dead,” Sen. Young said. “I have met with Ukrainians who have suffered in unspeakable ways going back to Russia’s first invasion of Crimea in 2014. Russia’s egregious human rights abuses must be met with accountability, both today and in the future. By ensuring strong sanctions are placed on the Russian Federation, this bill marks a step toward justice for the thousands of Ukrainians suffering at the hands of Russia’s barbaric aggression in Ukraine. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to hold Vladimir Putin accountable and urge its passage by Congress.”
Specifically, this bill would:
- Establish a congressional nomination process for human rights sanctions in Sec. 228 of Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA);
- Amend the Sense of Congress in Sec. 252 of CAATSA to solidify support for Ukraine and to further condemn the Russian Federation and its use of paramilitary organizations;
- Update U.S. policy to address individuals involved in/assisting in Russia’s forced relocation, detention, and filtration activities within Ukraine and in Russia;
- Require the annual State Department human rights report include details on human rights abuses in Ukraine and details on forced relocation and detention by Russia; and
- Require a classified report to Congress on the scope of Russia’s war crimes, including abuses to human rights.