HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST for HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

In relation to the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Proposed Authorization for the Use of Military Forceall sections.S.1197: National Defense Authorization Act for the 2014 Fiscal Year Section 1031 Transfers to Foreign Countries of Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Section 1032: Authority to Temporarily Transfer Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United States for Emergency or Critical Medical Treatment. Section 1033 Limitation on the Transfer or Release of Individuals Detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Disclosure of guidelines, policy and legal rationale for targeted killing program. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence public release of report on United States use of torture in the past 12 years.

Contacted: U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE); Executive Office of the President (EOP); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); State, Dept of (DOS); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS)

Bills named: S. 1197 (113th)

Foreign Relations FOR

S.J.RES.21: Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against the Government of Syria to Respond to Use of Chemical Weapons. Sought to ensure that legislation complied with international law, was designed to protect civilians from further harm, and was part of a broader strategy to end the conflict.S.1933 - A bill to impose sanctions with respect to foreign persons responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, and for other purposes. S.1197: National Defense Authorization Act for the 2014 Fiscal Year SEC. 1233. Prohibition on use of funds to enter into contracts or agreements with Rosoboronexport Access to protection for Syrian refugees. Promoting U.S. role in talks to end conflict in Syria. Suspending military assistance to Egypt following the military removal of President Morsi. Promoting U.S. role in opposing restrictions on foreign funding for NGOs in Egypt. Seeking appointment of U.S. ambassador to Egypt. Promoting U.S. leadership in improving respect for human rights in Egypt, with a focus on freedom of expression and religious freedom. U.S. Policy on Russia specifically sought advocacy for the repeal of the Russian anti-gay law, and the law requiring NGOs receiving foreign funding to register as foreign agents, and to eliminate selective enforcement of anti-extremism laws, and to ensure protection from violence for Russian citizens. To prioritize the protection of human rights defenders in Bahrain, and to advocate for the release of political prisoners, and to promote alternative plans for U.S. security if violence intensifies. Confirmation of Sarah Sewall for Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. Confirmation of Tom Malinowski for Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Confirmation of Jeh Johnson for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas for Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Promoting U.S. role in talks to end conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Implementation of Leahy Law to vet recipients of U.S. foreign military assistance and ban sales to units who have members found to have committed gross human rights abuses.

Contacted: Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); SENATE; State, Dept of (DOS); Executive Office of the President (EOP); U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Defense, Dept of (DOD)

Bills named: S. 1933 (113th), S.J.Res. 21 (113th), S. 1197 (113th)

Immigration IMM

S.744: A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes. Title III; Subtitle D--Asylum and Refugee Provisions Title III provisions related to Detention, Alternatives to Detention, Access to Counsel and Immigration CourtH.R.15: To provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes. Title III; Subtitle D--Asylum and Refugee Provisions Title III provisions related to Detention, Alternatives to Detention, Access to Counsel and Immigration Court H.R.2278: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to improve immigration law enforcement within the interior of the United States, and for other purposes. Refugee and asylum issues Detention issues Reforming the U.S. immigration detention system, including efforts to discontinue use of jails and jail-like facilities, improve custody/release procedures, expand alternatives to detention, increase access to counsel, and eliminate the detention bed mandate. Reforming the current asylum system related to detention, the one year filing deadline, credible fear, and terrorism related grounds of inadmissibility. Changes in FY 2015 appropriations language that would lead to improvements in the detention system, access to counsel, immigration courts, Legal Orientation Programs (LOPs), and related issues. Improved mechanisms to expedite resettlement for refugees who face imminent risks. Increased protections for LGBTI refugees. Increased protections for Syrian refugees.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE); Defense, Dept of (DOD); U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); SENATE; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; State, Dept of (DOS); Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Bills named: S. 744 (113th), H.R. 2278 (113th)