What does Preamble of S 288 do?

This bill, formally titled 'To support and promote the human rights of Southern Mongolians in the People's Republic of China, and for other purposes,' aims to support and promote the human rights of Southern Mongolians within the People's Republic of China. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 29, 2025, by Mr. Merkley and Mr. Sullivan.

What does SHORT TITLE. of S 288 do?

This bill is formally titled the Southern Mongolian Human Rights Policy Act.

What does FINDINGS. of S 288 do?

This section outlines findings related to the policies of the People's Republic of China (PRC) concerning the Southern Mongolian population within the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The PRC has promoted migration of Chinese people into the region, resulting in a significantly reduced percentage of ethnic Mongolians in the population. Recent policies have prioritized Chinese language instruction over Mongolian in schools, restricted Mongolian language media, and suppressed displays of Mongolian culture. The PRC has implemented 'patriotic education' campaigns aimed at assimilating Southern Mongolians into a common Chinese national identity, leading to protests and repression. The PRC exerts full control over the Chinggis Khan Mausoleum, disrupting traditional memorial practices. PRC policies have negatively impacted Southern Mongolian religious practices and restricted their ability to connect with Mongol communities globally. Traditional Southern Mongolian economic livelihoods, particularly pastoralism, have been disrupted through forced resettlement and urbanization. Environmental degradation, including pollution from mining operations like the Bayan Obo rare earth mine, has harmed the health of Southern Mongolians. Southern Mongolian dissidents and activists face detention, imprisonment, and harassment for exercising freedom of expression and defending legal rights. The PRC has engaged in transnational repression, forcibly returning Southern Mongolian dissidents in exile to China. The Congressional-Executive Commission on China has reported that PRC policies limit the freedom of ethnic minority groups to express their cultural and religious identities.

What does STATEMENT OF POLICY. of S 288 do?

This section establishes the policy of the United States to support and promote human rights of Southern Mongolians in the People's Republic of China. The policy includes supporting fundamental freedoms such as expression, peaceful assembly, and religion or belief. It also supports the Southern Mongolian people's aspirations to safeguard their cultural and linguistic heritage and traditional way of life. The United States policy aims to press the Government of the People's Republic of China to allow Southern Mongolians to enjoy promised autonomy.

What does SENSE OF CONGRESS. of S 288 do?

This section expresses the sense of Congress that the United States supports the liberty and legitimate aspirations of the Southern Mongolian people. It directs the President to condemn human rights abuses against Southern Mongolians and call for them to exercise autonomy guaranteed by the People's Republic of China. The Secretary of State is directed to advocate for the human rights of Southern Mongolians through various channels, including the United Nations. The Secretary of State should promote the protection of Southern Mongolian language and religion, and work with UNESCO to protect cultural heritage sites. U.S. companies and individuals operating in Mongolian autonomous areas are urged to avoid contributing to human rights violations or environmental degradation. The U.S. Ambassador to China is directed to meet with Southern Mongolian dissidents and their families.

What does DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR MATTERS. of S 288 do?

This section directs the Secretary of State to consider establishing an Inner Mongolian team within the United States Embassy in Beijing, China. The team would monitor political, economic, and social developments in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and other designated Mongolian autonomous areas. Responsibilities of the team include reporting on human rights issues and access to these areas, gathering information from various sources. The Secretary of State should ensure sufficient Mongolian language proficiency within the Department of State and at the embassy. The Secretary of State must submit a report on the staffing described in this section to the Senate and House Foreign Relations Committees within 180 days of the Act's enactment.

What does RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. of S 288 do?

This section directs the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom to assist the Secretary of State in assessing the impact of restrictions on Tibetan Buddhism by the Government of the People's Republic of China. The assessment should consider the impact on Tibetan Buddhism practitioners within China who are not Tibetan. The assessment should also consider the impact on Tibetan Buddhism practitioners outside of China, including their ability to travel and share information. The Secretary of State, with the Ambassador's assistance, must ensure the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom assesses these impacts as appropriate. These directives are consistent with duties outlined in sections 101(c) and 102(a) and 101(c) and 102(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

What does IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES of S 288 do?

This section requires the President to submit a report to Congress identifying foreign persons responsible for human rights abuses against Southern Mongolians in the People's Republic of China. The report is due within 180 days of the Act's enactment and annually thereafter. The report must identify individuals or entities involved in torture, cruel treatment, arbitrary detention, causing disappearances, or other gross violations of human rights. The report should be submitted in unclassified form, with a possible classified annex. The President is authorized to impose sanctions on identified individuals or entities using authorities including the Global Magnitsky Act and specific appropriations act sections. Sanctions imposed under this section will terminate five years after the Act's enactment. The 'appropriate congressional committees' are defined as the Senate Foreign Relations and Banking Committees, and the House Foreign Affairs and Financial Services Committees. The terms 'foreign person' and 'United States person' are defined for clarity.

What does VOICE OF AMERICA BROADCASTS IN THE MONGOLIAN LANGUAGE. of S 288 do?

This section mandates the establishment of a Voice of America (VOA) service providing Mongolian language programming. The service will target Mongolian language speakers in Mongolia, the People's Republic of China, and the Russian Federation. The Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media must establish the service within 180 days of the Act's enactment. A report detailing the implementation of the service, including programming and broadcast hours, is due to the Senate and House Foreign Affairs Committees within 270 days of enactment. The Act authorizes $2,000,000 in appropriations for VOA for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to carry out this section.

What does SUPPORT FOR SOUTHERN MONGOLIAN CULTURE. of S 288 do?

This section expresses the sense of Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should fund activities to preserve cultures endangered by the policies of the People's Republic of China, specifically mentioning Southern Mongolians, Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Hong Kongers. The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution is directed to submit a report within 180 days of the Act's enactment detailing plans for cultural preservation efforts. The section also expresses the sense of Congress that the Director of the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences should establish or utilize an existing grant program to support diaspora communities in the United States in preserving their cultural heritage threatened by the People's Republic of China. The Director of the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences must submit a report within 180 days of enactment regarding the feasibility of such a grant program, including engagement with diaspora communities.

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Southern Mongolian Human Rights Policy Act — S. 288

Last updated: 1/29/2025 · Introduced: 1/29/2025

Author: Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill expresses U.S. support for the human rights of Southern Mongolians in China, including their fundamental freedoms, cultural heritage, and traditional way of life.
It directs the U.S. government to condemn human rights abuses against Southern Mongolians and advocate for their autonomy, including through international channels like the United Nations.
The bill mandates the creation of a Voice of America (VOA) service broadcasting in Mongolian to reach speakers in Mongolia, China, and Russia, with $2 million in funding for the first two years.
It requires the President to identify and potentially sanction foreign individuals and entities responsible for human rights abuses against Southern Mongolians, using authorities like the Global Magnitsky Act.
The bill encourages the Smithsonian Institution and the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences to support cultural preservation efforts for Southern Mongolians and other diaspora communities facing threats from the People's Republic of China.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 6877(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 9 more.

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