On March 31, the House International Relations Committee approved, by unanimous consent, the North Korea Human Rights Act (H.R. 4011).
Sponsored by Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA), H.R. 4011 would authorize $100 million annually through FY2008 for grants to private, nonprofit organizations promoting human rights in North Korea and for expanding the World Food Program into the country. The measure also would provide $2 million through FY2008 for nongovernmental organizations promoting democracy in North Korea.
According to the bill, “North Korean women and girls, particularly those who have fled into China, are at risk of being kidnapped, trafficked, and sexually exploited inside China, where many are sold as brides or concubines, or forced to work as prostitutes.” The measure would authorize the president to provide humanitarian and legal assistance to North Korean women outside of North Korea who are victims of trafficking. H.R. 4011 also would set guidelines for determining refugee status and asylum eligibility for North Koreans.
In the same mark-up session, the committee approved, by unanimous consent, a bill (H.R. 4061) to provide assistance for orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries. Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), the measure would authorize such sums as necessary to provide grants for programs providing basic care, HIV/AIDS treatment, social and psychological support, educational opportunities, and inheritance rights assistance for children in developing countries.
