[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 856 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 856
Opposing kleptocracy around the world and supporting efforts to develop
an effective, independent International Anti-Corruption Court.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 12, 2020
Ms. Speier (for herself and Mr. McGovern) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Opposing kleptocracy around the world and supporting efforts to develop
an effective, independent International Anti-Corruption Court.
Whereas kleptocracy involves a country's leaders at the highest levels illegally
using public power for private gain, including by bribery, nepotism,
fraud, or embezzlement;
Whereas the corrupt actions of leaders may be facilitated and enabled by
professionals who provide those leaders with money management, legal
public relations, and other services;
Whereas kleptocracy has deprived citizens of countries across the world of
billions of dollars;
Whereas an estimated 5 percent of the world's gross domestic product (GDP) is
lost to corruption;
Whereas research by the International Monetary Fund has found that corruption is
responsible for $1,000,000,000,000 in lost tax revenues;
Whereas kleptocracy fosters an environment of criminality in a country, as
leaders make corrupt use of or undermine institutions to allow them to
steal, launder, hide, and store wealth, rather than effectively govern
their countries;
Whereas an environment of criminality creates incentives for human rights
abuses, including restrictions on the freedom of the press, as leaders
stigmatize and silence those who would shed light on their activities;
Whereas kleptocracy also undermines human rights by stealing funds that could
otherwise be invested in health, education, safe drinking water, and the
defense and promotion of other rights;
Whereas the amassing of illicit wealth in the hands of a few is detrimental to
democratic processes and the rule of law;
Whereas the World Bank has found corruption disproportionately harms the poor by
impeding access to social services and the investment necessary for jobs
and economic growth;
Whereas grand corruption fuels the global migration crisis by depriving people
of opportunities and livelihoods and generating criminal violence, thus
pushing thousands around the world to leave their kleptocratic home
countries and threatening international peace and security;
Whereas kleptocracy is a global problem requiring a coordinated international
response;
Whereas the United States has long led the fight against kleptocracy
domestically and internationally;
Whereas the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 allows the United States to
prosecute businesses that engage in corrupt behavior and has served as a
model for the legislation of other countries concerned with good
governance and best practices;
Whereas United States actions under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977
have led to the seizure of millions of dollars in assets from corrupt
foreign governments;
Whereas the United States has used existing criminal money laundering, mail and
wire fraud, and other authorities to investigate and prosecute
kleptocrats for bribery;
Whereas democratic countries are considering the expansion of foreign bribery
laws to address the demand side of bribery;
Whereas the United States is a state party to the Inter-American Convention
Against Corruption, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption,
and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's
Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in
International Business Transactions;
Whereas existing international conventions facilitate interstate cooperation in
the fight against many forms of corruption, but are not sufficient to
eliminate the impunity from which kleptocrats in many countries benefit;
Whereas judicial systems in kleptocracies often fail because they have been
captured or weakened by rulers seeking to protect their ill-gotten
gains;
Whereas an International Anti-Corruption Court (IACC) shows great promise for
combating kleptocracy and corruption by reducing impunity for acts of
grand corruption around the world;
Whereas an IACC would complement efforts to enforce anti-kleptocracy laws in
countries where domestic judicial systems have failed;
Whereas an IACC could offer an alternative avenue for citizens of many countries
to pursue the return of stolen money, property, and other assets;
Whereas an IACC would be structured to fairly and independently investigate and
prosecute kleptocracy as defined by law;
Whereas an IACC would be staffed with expert investigators and internationally
recognized judges with the expertise and experience needed to
effectively pursue kleptocracy cases;
Whereas an IACC would safeguard the rights of the accused in keeping with
internationally recognized due process rights;
Whereas an IACC would even the playing field for United States businesses by
strengthening the enforcement of antikleptocracy laws everywhere in the
world;
Whereas entering into international treaties is an exercise of national
sovereignty;
Whereas international judicial mechanisms already operate only when domestic
mechanisms are unwilling or unable; and
Whereas IACC rulings would be enforced through the exercise of the powers of its
member states: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) opposes kleptocracy and grand corruption and stands in
solidarity with its victims around the world;
(2) applauds the strong United States record in seeking to
counter kleptocracy around the world;
(3) reiterates the deep commitment of the United States to
supporting global efforts to root out corruption and its
corrosive economic, political, and social effects by fostering
accountability and promoting good governance; and
(4) supports United States efforts to engage in the
development of an effective, independent International Anti-
Corruption Court (IACC).
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