A bicameral, bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) aims to hold Russia accountable for the human rights abuses and war crimes committed against the people of Ukraine.
“Russia’s egregious human rights abuses must be met with accountability, both today and in the future,” Sen. Young said. “By ensuring strong sanctions are placed on the Russian Federation, this bill marks a step toward justice for the thousands of Ukrainians suffering at the hands of Russia’s barbaric aggression in Ukraine.”
Sen. Young and U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) recently introduced the Ukraine Human Rights Policy Act of 2022. U.S. Reps. Pat Fallon (R-TX) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) on Sept. 22 introduced their version, H.R. 8958, to amend certain authorities related to human rights violations and abuses in Ukraine.
“I have met with the spouses and mothers of Ukrainian soldiers currently imprisoned by Russian thugs who have no idea if their loved ones are alive or dead. I have met with Ukrainians who have suffered in unspeakable ways going back to Russia’s first invasion of Crimea in 2014,” said Sen. Young. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to hold Vladimir Putin accountable and urge its passage by Congress.”
If enacted, the bill would establish a congressional nomination process for human rights sanctions in Sec. 228 of Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA); and amend Sec. 252 of CAATSA to solidify support for Ukraine and to further condemn the Russian Federation and its use of paramilitary organizations, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
Additionally, the bill would update U.S. policy to address individuals involved in or assisting Russia’s forced relocation, detention, and filtration activities within Ukraine and in Russia, and require the annual U.S. State Department human rights report to include details on human rights abuses in Ukraine, the summary says.
A classified report to Congress on the scope of Russia’s war crimes, including abuses to human rights, also would be required under the measure.
“The horrific atrocities committed by Russia in Ukraine — including the recent discovery of mass graves filled with innocent Ukrainian men, women, and children — cannot go unanswered,” Sen. Rosen said.
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies Action has endorsed the bill.