3

Whereas on March 8, 2004, Syrian security forces arrested more than 30 human rights dissidents and civilians at a sit-in in front of the parliament;

Whereas a United States diplomat who was watching the peaceful demonstrations was also arrested and held for an hour in what the United States Government called an unacceptable violation of diplomatic practice and which the United States protested "in the strongest terms"; Whereas Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states "All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.";

Whereas the criminal law of Syria provides for reduced sentences in cases of "honor" killings, and spousal rape is not illegal;

Whereas the infringement by Syria on human rights and civil

liberties extends into the Lebanese Republic, which it continues to occupy in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions;

Whereas Human Rights Watch, in its 2003 World Report, stated that "political activists in Lebanon continued to demand the withdrawal of all Syrian forces from the country and organized demonstrations throughout the year, many of which the internal security forces dispersed forcibly";

Whereas hundreds of Lebanese civilians are believed to have been killed or "disappeared" by Syrian occupation forces or its secret police;

Whereas hundreds of Kurdish civilians were injured or killed in clashes with the Syrian authorities that began on March 12, 2004, in Qamishli, a city in northeastern

4

Syria and, according to Syrian Kurdish sources, security forces used live ammunition against unarmed civilians; and

Whereas human rights and democracy groups in Syria have

1

sponsored a petition urging greater freedoms and the release of all political prisoners, which has garnered more than 6,000 signatures: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That Congress

(1) condemns the consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic;

(2) calls on the international community to

adopt a resolution at the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly which details the dismal human rights record of Syria;

(3) expresses its support for the people of Syria in their daily struggle for freedom, respect for human rights and civil liberties, democratic self-governance, and the establishment of the rule of law;

(4) encourages the President and the Secretary of State to reach out to dissidents, human rights activists, and the nonviolent democratic opposition in Syria, and to assist them in their efforts; and

(5) urges the adoption and pursuit of these and other policies to seek a democratic government in Syria that will—

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

5

(A) bring freedom and democracy to the

people of Syria;

(B) cease the illegal occupation by Syria of the Lebanese Republic;

(C) abandon support for terrorism by

Syria;

(D) not pursue research, development, acquisition, production, transfer, or deployment of biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons, will provide credible assurances that such behavior will not be undertaken in the future, and will agree to allow United Nations and other international observers to verify such assurances; and

(E) live in peace and security with the international community.

Amend the title so as to read: "Concurrent resolution expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the continuing gross violations of human rights and civil liberties of the Syrian and Lebanese people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic.".

IV

108TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION

H. CON. RES. 436

Celebrating 10 years of majority rule in the Republic of South Africa and recognizing the momentous social and economic achievements of South Africa since the institution of democracy in that country.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 20, 2004

Mr. PAYNE (for himself, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. ROYCE, and Mr. LANTOS) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Celebrating 10 years of majority rule in the Republic of South Africa and recognizing the momentous social and economic achievements of South Africa since the institution of democracy in that country.

Whereas the Republic of South Africa peacefully and successfully held democratic elections and transitioned to a democratic, nonracial form of government in 1994;

Whereas South Africa helped initiate and frame the New Partnership for Africa's Development and continues to head this partnership for development and responsible leadership in Africa;

Whereas South Africa actively supports the South African Development Community, which promotes regional eco

2

nomic cooperation and higher standards of living in Southern Africa;

Whereas South Africa has made significant advances in housing by constructing 1,600,000 houses for the poor of South Africa;

Whereas, since 1994, 9,000,000 people in South Africa have gained access to clean water;

Whereas, before 1994, 22,000,000 people in South Africa did

not have access to adequate sanitation, but 63 percent of households in South Africa now have access to adequate sanitation;

Whereas, before 1994, 60 percent of people in South Africa did not have electricity, but more than 70 percent of households in South Africa now have electricity;

Whereas, from 1994 to 2004, secondary school enrollment in South Africa increased from 70 percent to 85 percent, and students in South Africa now learn in a racially integrated school system;

Whereas the Government of South Africa has established nutritional and educational programs to benefit the youngest and poorest people in South Africa;

Whereas South Africa is experiencing the longest period of consistent positive growth, as measured by its gross domestic product (GDP), since growth in GDP was properly recorded in the 1940s;

Whereas F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela share a Nobel Peace Prize for their work in ending apartheid in South Africa and establishing a representative government;

Whereas Desmond Tutu led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to repair injustices among South Africans