Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HCR31

Introduced
3/30/23  

Caption

Highlighting the risks that environmental defenders face around the world and commending their role in defending human rights, combating climate chaos, and supporting a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

Impact

The resolution calls for several actions by the United States government to enhance the safety and support for environmental defenders. It urges the government to engage in good faith consultations with Indigenous communities, ensuring their rights are respected during project approvals that affect their lands and resources. Additionally, it requests the establishment of focused positions within government agencies to advocate for and safeguard the rights of environmental defenders, particularly in areas vulnerable to persecution. This could lead to heightened diplomatic discussions around human rights and environmental protections on a global scale.

Summary

HCR31 is a concurrent resolution that highlights the risks faced by environmental defenders worldwide and commends their critical roles in defending human rights, combating climate change, and supporting a clean and sustainable environment. The resolution acknowledges the challenges environmental defenders encounter, including persecution from government entities, private sectors, and criminal actors, which manifest as harassment, intimidation, and in some cases, violence. It emphasizes that the need for protection of these individuals is crucial as they strive to safeguard the environment and advocate for the rights of their communities, many of whom are Indigenous Peoples.

Contention

HCR31 addresses a range of global issues surrounding environmental defenders, notably the alarming statistics of their treatment, including over 1,700 reported killings since 2012. The resolution especially highlights the situation in Latin America and the Caribbean, where environmental defenders face the highest rates of violence and persecution. It encourages the U.S. to take a leadership role internationally in safeguarding these defenders' rights and ensuring that taxpayer dollars do not support adverse actions against them. However, the global response to these issues may be complicated by political and economic ties to countries where such violations are prevalent.

Companion Bills

US SR138

Same As A resolution highlighting the risks that environmental defenders face around the world and commending their role in defending human rights, combating climate chaos, and supporting a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

Previously Filed As

US SR138

A resolution highlighting the risks that environmental defenders face around the world and commending their role in defending human rights, combating climate chaos, and supporting a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

US SR142

A resolution expressing concern about environmental crimes and attacks on the human rights of environmental and land defenders in Latin America and the Caribbean.

US HR595

Recognizing the significant impact and legacy of Cecil Corbin-Mark in the environmental justice community and further recognizing that climate change most severely impacts vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in the United States and around the world, and that it is the responsibility of the United States Government to work with its global partners to promote environmental justice.

US HB4759

Environmentally Sustainable Growth Act of 2023

US HR357

Responding to growing threats to freedom of the press and expression around the world, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States Government in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance on World Press Freedom Day.

US HR347

Recognizing the significant impact and legacy of Cecil Corbin-Mark in the environmental justice community and further recognizing that climate change most severely impacts vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in the United States and around the world, and that it is the responsibility of the United States Government to work with its global partners to promote environmental justice.

US SB5306

Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2024

US HB10117

Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2024

US SCR2

A concurrent resolution commending the bravery, courage, and resolve of the women and men of Iran demonstrating in more than 133 cities and risking their safety to speak out against the Iranian regime's human rights abuses.

US HCR32

Supporting the goals and ideals of International Transgender Day of Visibility.

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