Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

Requesting information on the Kingdom of Eswatini’s human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Summary

This Senate resolution requests the Secretary of State to provide information on the human rights practices of the Kingdom of Eswatini, particularly concerning the treatment of individuals removed to Eswatini by the United States. The request is made pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The resolution seeks detailed information on alleged human rights violations, steps taken by the U.S. government to promote human rights in Eswatini, and assessments regarding the potential misuse of U.S. security assistance.

Expected Effects

If passed, this resolution would compel the Secretary of State to compile and submit a report to Congress detailing Eswatini's human rights record and the U.S. government's actions related to it. This could lead to increased scrutiny of U.S. relations with Eswatini and potentially affect future foreign aid or policy decisions. The report aims to ensure transparency and accountability regarding the treatment of individuals removed to Eswatini by the U.S.

Potential Benefits

  • Increased transparency regarding human rights practices in Eswatini.
  • Potential for improved treatment of individuals removed to Eswatini by the U.S.
  • Enhanced accountability of the U.S. government in its foreign policy decisions.
  • Reinforcement of U.S. commitment to promoting human rights globally.
  • Could inform future policy decisions regarding foreign aid and diplomatic relations with Eswatini.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential strain on diplomatic relations with Eswatini.
  • Resource allocation for compiling the requested report.
  • Possible delays in other important State Department activities.
  • Risk of unintended consequences if the report is perceived as overly critical or biased.
  • The report might not lead to immediate or significant changes in Eswatini's human rights practices.

Constitutional Alignment

The resolution aligns with the U.S. Constitution by exercising Congress's oversight role in foreign affairs, as implied by Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and to declare war. The request for information on human rights practices also indirectly relates to the promotion of general welfare, as stated in the Preamble. However, the Constitution does not explicitly address human rights practices in foreign countries, making the alignment indirect.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).