Nigerian Democracy and Civil Society Empowerment Act of 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 19, 1999
Nigerian Democracy and Civil Society Empowerment Act of 1999 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should actively seek to coordinate with other countries to further the U.S. policy of promoting the rule of law and respect for human rights, and the transition to democratic civilian government; and (2) in light of the importance of Nigeria to the region and the severity of successive military regimes, the President should instruct the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) to use the U.S. vote at the UNCHR annual meeting to condemn human rights abuses in Nigeria, as appropriate, while recognizing the progress that has been made, and to press for the continued renewal of the mandate of, and continued access to Nigeria for, the special rapporteur on Nigeria.(Sec. 4) Earmarks specified development assistance funds for FY 2000 through 2002 to: (1) nongovernmental organizations to promote democracy, good governance, and the rule of law in Nigeria; (2) the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) to provide grants to support individuals or nongovernmental organizations that seek to promote, directly or indirectly, the advancement of human rights there; and (3) the U.S. Information Agency, to support its activities in Nigeria, including the promotion of greater awareness among Nigerians of constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Administrator of AID should: (1) increase the number of U.S. personnel at its office in Lagos, Nigeria, from within its current, overall staff resources; and (2) consider placement of personnel elsewhere in Nigeria.(Sec. 5) Prohibits economic and military assistance or arms transfers to the Government of Nigeria.Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of specified international financial institutions to use the U.S. vote to oppose any multilateral assistance to the Government of Nigeria.(Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of the Congress that unless the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees by July 1, 1999, that a democratic transition to civilian rule has taken place in Nigeria, the Secretary of State should deny a visa to any alien who is a senior member of the Nigerian government or a military officer currently in the Nigerian armed forces.(Sec. 7) Authorizes the President to waive any prohibition contained in this Act, provided the President makes a certain determination, and notifies the Congress, regarding Nigeria's human rights record and progress toward democracy.(Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on governmental corruption in Nigeria.(Sec. 10) Sunsets the provisions of this Act on September 30, 2004.
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Source last updated: Aug 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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