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S.J.Res.3 / 108th Congress

A joint resolution expressing the sense of Congress with respect to human rights in Central Asia.

Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 14, 2003

Calls for the Governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to accelerate democratic reforms and fulfill their human rights obligations. Declares that increased levels of U.S. assistance to the Central Asian governments made possible by their cooperation in the war in Afghanistan can be sustained only if there is substantial and continuing progress towards meeting these goals.Calls for the President, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense to: (1) continue to raise specific cases of political and religious persecution with the Central Asian governments and urge greater respect for human rights and democratic freedoms; (2) consider progress in meeting such goals when determining diplomatic engagement and foreign assistance; (3) ensure that provisions of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act are fully implemented to ensure that no U.S. assistance benefits security forces in Central Asia implicated in human rights violations; (4) follow the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom by designating Turkmenistan a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and by making clear that Uzbekistan risks designation if conditions there do not improve; (5) press the Turkmenistan Government to respect the right of imprisoned opposition leader Boris Shikmuradov to due process and a fair trial and to release democratic activists and their families from prison, and to urge the Russian Government not to extradite to Turkmenistan member of that country's political opposition; (6) work with the Government of Kazakhstan to create a political climate free of intimidation and harassment and to reduce official corruption; and (7) support through U.S. assistance programs those individuals, non-governmental organizations, and media outlets in Central Asia working to build more open societies, support the victims of human rights abuses, and expose official corruption.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ] · R–AZ

Committees

  • Foreign Affairs Committee
  • Foreign Relations Committee
6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

  2. Received in the House.

  3. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  4. Passed Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5690-5691)

  5. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S5690-5691)

  6. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5689-5691)

  7. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 63.

  8. Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Lugar without amendment and with a preamble. Without written report.

  9. Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Lugar without amendment and with a preamble. Without written report.

  10. Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

  11. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S304-305)

  12. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.J.Res.3 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.J.Res.3 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.J.Res.3 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.J.Res.3 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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