US Senators Propose Legislation Against China's Organ Harvesting Practices
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Washington, March 12 (NationPress) Two US senators have put forth a new bill aimed at imposing sanctions on individuals implicated in the purported forced organ harvesting in China.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz from Texas and Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon, both of whom serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act. This legislation seeks to penalize those responsible for forced organ harvesting and mandates that the US administration report to Congress regarding China’s organ transplant system.
During the announcement of the bill, Cruz accused the Chinese government of running a systematic program that targets individuals based on their religious beliefs.
“The Chinese Communist Party is running a harsh, state-sponsored organ harvesting operation that specifically targets individuals for their faith,” Cruz stated. “In particular, the CCP has focused on Falun Gong practitioners, violating their religious freedoms and basic human rights.”
He emphasized the necessity for the United States to hold these perpetrators accountable.
“The United States must ensure that those who commit these heinous acts face justice,” Cruz asserted.
Merkley highlighted that the bill reflects a bipartisan concern regarding reports of human rights violations affecting vulnerable populations in China.
“China's ongoing campaign of repression and human rights violations results in dreadful outcomes, including allegations of forced organ harvesting from at-risk groups throughout the PRC,” Merkley remarked. “We must advocate for the victims of these atrocities, and our bipartisan initiative aims to hold the Chinese government responsible for its misconduct.”
The proposed legislation stipulates that the President must impose sanctions on foreign nationals found to have knowingly participated in or aided in forced organ harvesting within China. Such sanctions could encompass freezing assets and prohibiting financial transactions.
Additionally, the bill requires the President to provide Congress with a list of those implicated in such activities within 180 days of the law's implementation, with annual updates following.
Furthermore, the legislation mandates that the US Secretary of State, in collaboration with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the National Institutes of Health, deliver a comprehensive report on China's organ transplant policies and practices within one year.