,,ii ,calendar ,no4 #daj #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #dehg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #b1 #bjad,received ,june #e1 #bjad,read twice and placed on the calendar ,,an ,,act ,to impose targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for carrying out or ordering human rights abuses against the citizens of ,venezuela1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,venezuelan ,human ,rights and ,democracy ,protection ,act4 #b4 ,definition ,in this ,act1 the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7#a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs1 the ,committee on ,financial ,services1 the ,committee on the ,judiciary1 and the ,committee on ,ways and ,means of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7#b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations1 the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing and ,urban ,affairs1 and the ,committee on the ,judiciary of the ,senate4 #c4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,on ,february #ab1 #bjad1 also known in ,venezuela as the ,national ,youth ,day1 students began protesting in several cities against ,venezuelan leader ,nicols ,maduro's inability to stem violent crime1 his undemocratic actions1 and a rapidly deteriorating economy marked by high inflation and shortages of consumer goods4 7#b7 ,on ,february #ab1 #bjad1 a judge issued an arrest warrant for ,leopoldo ,lpez1 leader of the opposition party ,voluntad ,popular1 for allegations in connection with the student protests4 7#c7 ,on ,february #ag1 #bjad1 the ,government of ,venezuela notified the ,united ,states ,department of ,state that it had declared #c consular officers at the ,united ,states ,embassy in ,venezuela personae non gratae4 7#d7 ,on ,february #ah1 #bjad1 opposition leader ,leopoldo ,lpez turned himself in to ,venezuelan authorities1 was arrested1 and charged with criminal incitement1 conspiracy1 arson1 and intent to damage property4 7#e7 ,leopoldo ,lpez is currently being held in a prison at a military facility4 7#f7 ,nongovernmental human rights organizations have alleged that the charges brought against ,leopoldo ,lpez appear to be a politically motivated attempt to silence dissent in the country4 7#g7 ,as of ,may #a1 #bjad1 there have been #da people killed1 a reported #fj cases of torture1 over #ajj injured1 and many oppressively detained in relation to pro-democracy demonstrations throughout ,venezuela4 7#h7 ,on ,february #ai1 #bjad1 ,president ,obama criticized the ,government of ,venezuela for arresting protesters1 called for their release1 and urged the government to focus on the legitimate grievances of the ,venezuelan people4 7#i7 ,according to the ,department of ,state's ,country ,reports on ,human ,rights ,practices for #bjac for ,venezuela1 ,the principal human rights abuses reported during the year included corruption1 politicization in the judicial system1 and government actions to impede freedom of expression and restrict freedom of the press4 ,the government did not respect judicial independence or permit judges to act according to the law without fear of retaliation4 ,the government used the judiciary to intimidate and selectively prosecute political1 union1 business1 and civil society leaders who were critical of government policies or actions4 ,the government harassed and intimidated privately owned television stations1 other media outlets1 and journalists throughout the year1 using threats1 fines1 property seizures1 targeted regulations1 arrests1 and criminal investigations and prosecutions44 7#aj7 ,according to the ,department of ,state's ,country ,reports on ,human ,rights ,practices for #bjac for ,venezuela1 ,the following human rights problems were reported by ,n,g,os1 the media1 and in some cases the government itself3 unlawful killings1 including summary killings by police elements2 torture and other cruel1 inhumane1 or degrading treatment2 harsh and life-threatening prison conditions and lack of due process rights that contributed to widespread violence1 riots1 injuries1 and deaths in prisons2 inadequate juvenile detention centers2 arbitrary arrests and detentions2 corruption and impunity in police forces2 political prisoners2 interference with privacy rights2 corruption at all levels of government2 threats against domestic ,n,g,os2 violence against women2 anti-,semitism in the official media2 trafficking in persons2 violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity2 and restrictions on workers' right of association44 7#aa7 ,according to ,freedom ,house's ,freedom in the ,world report of #bjac on ,venezuela1 ,nicols ,maduro1 further weakened the independent media1 reduced the opposition's ability to serve as a check on government policy1 and made threats to civil society groups44 #d4 ,actions at the ,organization of ,american ,states ,the ,secretary of ,state shall direct the ,united ,states ,permanent ,representative to the ,organization of ,american ,states to use the voice1 vote1 and influence of the ,united ,states at the ,organization of ,american ,states to defend and protect the ,inter-,american ,democratic ,charter1 and strengthen efforts by international and multilateral organizations to advance the protection of human rights throughout the ,western ,hemisphere1 especially in ,venezuela4 #e4 ,sanctions on persons responsible for violence in ,venezuela 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall impose the sanctions described in subsection 7b77#a77;,a7 and the ,secretary of ,state or the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security 7or a designee of one of such ,secretaries7 shall impose the sanctions described in subsection 7b77#a77;,b7 with respect to any person1 including a current or former official of the ,government of ,venezuela or a person acting on behalf of that ,government1 that the ,president1 or the ,secretary of ,state or the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security 7or a designee of one of such ,secretaries71 as the case may be1 determines-- 7#a7 has perpetrated1 or is responsible for ordering1 controlling1 or otherwise directing1 significant acts of violence or serious human rights abuses in ,venezuela against individuals participating in protests in ,venezuela that began on ,february #ab1 #bjad2 7#b7 has directed or ordered the arrest or prosecution of a person primarily because of the person's legitimate exercise of freedom of expression or assembly in relation to the protests in ,venezuela that began on ,february #ab1 #bjad2 7#c7 has knowingly materially assisted1 sponsored1 or provided significant financial1 material1 or technological support for1 or goods or services in support of1 the commission of acts described in paragraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 in relation to protests in ,venezuela that began on ,february #ab1 #bjad2 or 7#d7 has engaged in censorship against individuals or media outlets disseminating information in relation to protests in ,venezuela that began on ,february #ab1 #bjad4 7b7 ,sanctions described 7#a7 ,in general ,the sanctions described in this subsection are the following3 7,a7 ,asset blocking 7i7 ,in general ,the exercise of all powers granted to the ,president by the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agja et seq47 to the extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property of a person determined by the ,president to be subject to subsection 7a7 if such property and interests in property are in the ,united ,states1 come within the ,united ,states1 or are or come within the possession or control of a ,united ,states person4 7ii7 ,exception 7,i7 ,in general ,the authority to impose sanctions under clause 7i7 shall not include the authority to impose sanctions relating to the importation of goods4 7,,ii7 ,good defined ,in subclause 7,i71 the term good has the meaning given that term in section #af of the ,export ,administration ,act of #aigi 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #bdae7 7as continued in effect pursuant to the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agja et seq4774 7,b7 ,aliens ineligible for visas1 admission1 or parole 7i7 ,visas1 admission1 or parole ,an alien who the ,secretary of ,state or the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security 7or a designee of one of such ,secretaries7 knows or has reasonable grounds to believe meets any of the criteria described in subsection 7a7 is-- 7,i7 inadmissible to the ,united ,states2 7,,ii7 ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the ,united ,states2 and 7,,iii7 otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the ,united ,states or to receive any other benefit under the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja et seq474 7ii7 ,current visas revoked 7,i7 ,in general ,the issuing consular officer1 the ,secretary of ,state1 or the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security 7or a designee of one of such ,secretaries7 shall revoke any visa or other entry documentation issued to an alien who meets any of the criteria described in subsection 7a71 regardless of when issued4 7,,ii7 ,effect of revocation ,a revocation under subclause 7,i7 shall take effect immediately2 and shall automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien's possession4 7#b7 ,penalties ,a person that is subject to sanctions described in paragraph 7#a77;,a7 shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections 7b7 and 7c7 of section #bjf of the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agje7 to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection 7a7 of that section4 7#c7 ,exception to comply with united nations headquarters agreement ,sanctions under paragraph 7#a77;,b7 shall not apply to an alien if admitting the alien into the ,united ,states is necessary to permit the ,united ,states to comply with the ,agreement regarding the ,headquarters of the ,united ,nations1 signed at ,lake ,success ,june #bf1 #aidg1 and entered into force ,november #ba1 #aidg1 between the ,united ,nations and the ,united ,states1 or other applicable international obligations4 7c7 ,waiver ,the ,president may waive the application of sanctions under subsection 7b7 with respect to a person if the ,president-- 7#a7 determines that such a waiver is in the national interests of the ,united ,states and on or before the date on which the waiver takes effect1 submits to the appropriate congressional committees a notice of and justification for the waiver2 or 7#b7 determines that the conditions in ,venezuela have improved with regard to respect for peaceful protest and basic human rights and on or before the date on which the waiver takes effect1 submits to the appropriate congressional committees a notice of and justification for the waiver4 7d7 ,implementation authority 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,president may exercise all authorities provided to the ,president under sections #bjc and #bje of the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agjb and #agjd7 for purposes of carrying out this section4 7#b7 ,exception 7,a7 ,in general ,the authority to impose sanctions under paragraph 7#a7 shall not include the authority to impose sanctions relating to the importation of goods4 7,b7 ,good defined ,in subparagraph 7,a71 the term good has the meaning given that term in section #af of the ,export ,administration ,act of #aigi 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #bdae7 7as continued in effect pursuant to the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agja et seq4774 7e7 ,regulatory authority ,the ,president shall issue such regulations1 licenses1 and orders as are necessary to carry out this section4 7f7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,admitted2 alien ,the terms admitted and alien have meanings given those terms in section #aja of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja74 7#b7 ,materially assisted ,the term materially assisted means the provision of assistance that is significant and of a kind directly relevant to acts described in paragraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 of subsection 7a74 7#c7 ,united states person ,the term ,united ,states person means-- 7,a7 a ,united ,states citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the ,united ,states2 or 7,b7 an entity organized under the laws of the ,united ,states or of any jurisdiction within the ,united ,states1 including a foreign branch of such an entity4 #f4 ,imposition of sanctions with respect to the transfer of goods or technologies to ,venezuela that are likely to be used to commit human rights abuses 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall impose sanctions described in section #e7;b7 with respect to each person on the list required under subsection 7b7 of this section4 7b7 ,list 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a list of persons who the ,president determines have knowingly engaged in an activity described in paragraph 7#b7 on or after such date of enactment4 7#b7 ,activity described 7,a7 ,in general ,a person knowingly engages in an activity described in this paragraph if the person-- 7i7 transfers1 or facilitates the transfer of1 goods or technologies described in subparagraph 7,c7 to ,venezuela1 any person organized under the laws of ,venezuela1 or any national of ,venezuela1 for use in or with respect to ,venezuela2 or 7ii7 provides services 7including services relating to hardware1 software1 and specialized information1 and professional consulting1 engineering1 and support services7 with respect to goods or technologies described in subparagraph 7,c7 after such goods or technologies are transferred to ,venezuela4 7,b7 ,applicability to contracts and other agreements ,a person engages in an activity described in subparagraph 7,a7 without regard to whether the activity is carried out pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered into before1 on1 or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7,c7 ,goods or technologies described 7i7 ,in general ,goods or technologies described in this subparagraph are goods or technologies that the ,president determines are to be used by the ,government of ,venezuela or any of the agencies or instrumentalities of the ,government of ,venezuela 7or by any other person on behalf of the ,government of ,venezuela or any of such agencies or instrumentalities7 to commit serious human rights abuses against the people of ,venezuela1 including-- 7,i7 firearms or ammunition 7as such terms are defined in section #iba of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code71 rubber bullets1 police batons1 pepper or chemical sprays1 stun grenades1 electroshock weapons1 tear gas1 water cannons1 or surveillance technology2 or 7,,ii7 sensitive technology4 7ii7 ,sensitive technology defined 7,i7 ,in general ,for purposes of clause 7i77,,ii71 the term sensitive technology means hardware1 software1 telecommunications equipment1 or any other technology1 that the ,president determines is to be used specifically-- 7aa7 to restrict the free flow of unbiased information in ,venezuela2 or 7bb7 to disrupt1 monitor1 or otherwise restrict speech of the people of ,venezuela4 7,,ii7 ,exception ,the term sensitive technology does not include information or informational materials the exportation of which the ,president does not have the authority to regulate or prohibit pursuant to section #bjc7;b77#c7 of the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agjb7;b77#c774 7#c7 ,special rule to allow for termination of sanctionable activity ,the ,president shall not be required to include a person on the list required under paragraph 7#a7 if-- 7,a7 the ,president determines that the person is no longer engaging in1 or has taken significant credible steps toward stopping 7including winding down contracts or other agreements that were in effect prior to the date of the enactment of this ,act7 the activity described in paragraph 7#b7 for which the ,president would otherwise have included the person on the list2 and 7,b7 the ,president has received reliable assurances that such person will not knowingly engage in any new activity described in such paragraph 7#b74 7#d7 ,updates of list ,the ,president shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees an updated list under paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act2 and 7,b7 as new information becomes available4 7#e7 ,form of list2 public availability 7,a7 ,form ,the list required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex4 7,b7 ,public availability ,the unclassified portion of the list required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be made available to the public and posted on the ,web site of the ,department of ,state4 7c7 ,waiver ,the ,president may waive the application of sanctions described in section #e7;b7 with respect to a person on the list required under subsection 7b7 of this section if the ,president-- 7#a7 determines that such a waiver is in the national interests of the ,united ,states and on or before the date on which the waiver takes effect1 submits to the appropriate congressional committees a notice of and justification for the waiver2 or 7#b7 determines that the conditions in ,venezuela have improved with regard to respect for peaceful protest and basic human rights and on or before the date on which the waiver takes effect1 submits to the appropriate congressional committees a notice of and justification for the waiver4 7d7 ,implementation authority 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,president may exercise all authorities provided under sections #bjc and #bje of the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agjb and #agjd7 to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,exception 7,a7 ,in general ,the authority to impose sanctions under paragraph 7#a7 shall not include the authority to impose sanctions relating to the importation of goods4 7,b7 ,good defined ,in subparagraph 7,a71 the term good has the meaning given that term in section #af of the ,export ,administration ,act of #aigi 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #bdae7 7as continued in effect pursuant to the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agja et seq4774 #g4 ,comprehensive strategy to promote ,internet freedom and access to information ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with heads of other ,federal departments and agencies1 as appropriate1 shall submit to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate a comprehensive strategy that is classified to the extent necessary to-- 7#a7 assist the people of ,venezuela to produce1 access1 and share information freely and safely via the ,internet2 7#b7 increase the capabilities and availability of secure mobile and other communications through connective technology among human rights and democracy advocates in ,venezuela2 7#c7 provide resources for digital training for media and academic and civil society organizations in ,venezuela2 7#d7 increase emergency resources for the most vulnerable human rights advocates seeking to organize1 share information1 and support human rights in ,venezuela2 7#e7 expand access to uncensored sources of local news and information using all available and effective mediums of communication1 especially through platforms that leverage public-private partnerships2 7#f7 expand activities to safely assist and train human rights1 civil society1 and democracy activists in ,venezuela to operate effectively and securely2 7#g7 expand access to proxy servers for democracy activists in ,venezuela2 and 7#h7 discourage telecommunications and software companies from facilitating ,internet censorship by the ,government of ,venezuela4 #h4 ,comprehensive strategy to encourage ,venezuela to abide by the principles enshrined in the ,inter-,american ,democratic ,charter ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate a comprehensive strategy outlining how the ,united ,states is supporting the citizens of ,venezuela in seeking-- 7#a7 free1 fair1 and transparent elections-- 7,a7 conducted with the presence of internationally recognized observers2 and 7,b7 in which-- 7i7 all parties are permitted ample time to organize and campaign for such elections2 and 7ii7 all candidates are permitted equitable access to the media2 7#b7 basic civil liberties and human rights1 including access to and support for nongovernmental organizations in such activities2 7#c7 establishment of independent judiciaries and electoral councils2 and 7#d7 development of an independent civil society with the capacity to advocate on behalf of constituents4 #i4 ,statement of policy on political prisoners ,it shall be the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to support efforts to research and identify prisoners of conscience and cases of human rights abuses in ,venezuela2 7#b7 to offer refugee status or political asylum in the ,united ,states to political dissidents in ,venezuela if requested and consistent with the laws and national security interests of the ,united ,states2 7#c7 to offer to assist1 through the ,united ,nations ,high ,commissioner for ,refugees1 with the relocation of such political prisoners to other countries if requested1 as appropriate and with appropriate consideration for the national security interests of the ,united ,states2 and 7#d7 to publicly call for the release of ,venezuelan country dissidents by name and raise awareness with respect to individual cases of ,venezuelan country dissidents and prisoners of conscience1 as appropriate and if requested by the dissidents or prisoners themselves or their families4 #aj4 ,authorization of appropriations for assistance to support civil society in ,venezuela ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development for fiscal year #bjae not less than #e1jjj1jjj to provide assistance to civil society in ,venezuela4 #aa4 ,offset ,section #ajb7;a7 of the ,enhanced ,partnership with ,pakistan ,act of #bjji 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #hdab7;a72 ,public ,law #aaa-gc2 #abc ,stat4 #bjfh7 is amended by striking #a1ejj1jjj1jjj and inserting #a1dic1jjj1jjj4 #ab4 ,sunset ,this ,act shall cease to be effective beginning on the date that is #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,passed the ,house of ,representatives ,may #bh1 #bjad4,karen ,l4 ,haas1,clerk ,june #e1 #bjad,read twice and placed on the calendar