SENATE RESOLUTION 344--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR A CREDIBLE, INCLUSIVE, AND TRANSPARENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN AFGHANISTAN ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2019; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 156
(Senate - September 26, 2019)
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[Pages S5752-S5753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 344--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR A CREDIBLE, INCLUSIVE,
AND TRANSPARENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN AFGHANISTAN ON SEPTEMBER 28,
2019
Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Graham, Mr. Coons, Ms.
Ernst, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Risch)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Foreign Relations:
S. Res. 344
Whereas Afghanistan will hold a presidential election on
September 28, 2019, in which the citizens of Afghanistan will
have an opportunity to participate;
Whereas, according to the United Nations Population Fund,
63.7 percent of the people of Afghanistan are under 25 years
of age, reflecting the need for a fully functioning and
transparent government to administer and provide services to
the youth of Afghanistan, who are facing significant
challenges related to health, education, and employment;
Whereas, in the last parliamentary election in 2018, more
than 3,000,000 people in Afghanistan exercised the democratic
right to
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choose the individuals who would represent the people of
Afghanistan in parliament;
Whereas Afghanistan has made significant progress on human
rights, including the rights of women and minorities, which
are enshrined in the constitution of Afghanistan and further
protected by the participation of the people of Afghanistan
in democratic elections;
Whereas free and fair elections are a fundamental part of a
strong democracy and allow the citizens of a country to
exercise full civil, political, and human rights;
Whereas a credible electoral process is necessary for
citizens of a country to trust in the democratic institutions
and political leaders of that country;
Whereas elections should serve as peaceful processes
through which the will of the voters is expressed and
political power is transferred or reaffirmed;
Whereas the people of Afghanistan will go to the polls to
exercise their democratic right to vote amid heightened
threats and attacks by the Taliban;
Whereas the Taliban has targeted campaign rallies,
candidates, and election events, resulting in 48 deaths on
September 17, 2019, alone;
Whereas, since 2001, the United States has invested
significantly in efforts to bring security and stability to
the region, accounting for more than $800,000,000,000 in
efforts that include--
(1) helping to rebuild Afghanistan, including efforts to
rebuild and reform the institutions of Afghanistan; and
(2) helping to defend the rights of the people of
Afghanistan;
Whereas, since 2001, more than 775,000 members of the Armed
Forces of the United States have been deployed to
Afghanistan, of which--
(1) more than 20,500 have been wounded; and
(2) more than 2,400 have died while serving;
Whereas the international community has also made critical
investments in democratic processes and institutions in
Afghanistan;
Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (referred to
in this preamble as ``NATO'') invoked Article V of the North
Atlantic Treaty for the first time in history in the wake of
the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001;
Whereas, since the date on which NATO invoked Article V of
the North Atlantic Treaty, the longest and most challenging
mission of NATO has been in commanding the International
Security Assistance Force mandated by the United Nations--
(1) beginning in August 2003 and ending in December 2014;
and
(2) which, at its largest, comprised more than 130,000
troops from 50 NATO allies and partner countries;
Whereas, in January 2015, NATO launched the Resolute
Support Mission, which comprises approximately 17,000 troops
from 39 NATO allies and partner countries as of September
2019;
Whereas the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces
will have responsibility for providing security for the
presidential election in Afghanistan on September 28, 2019;
Whereas, despite threats from the Taliban, people across
Afghanistan are risking their lives to support, administer,
and secure democratic election operations, including--
(1) 13,000 women and men who are serving as independent
election observers;
(2) 50,000 citizens of Afghanistan who have signed up to be
poll watchers from the political parties; and
(3) more than 200 members of the independent media who have
been accredited to cover and report on the campaigns and
election processes; and
Whereas a democratically elected and legitimate government
that reflects the will of the people of Afghanistan is in the
security interests of Afghanistan and the allies of
Afghanistan, including the United States: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) expresses support for a credible, inclusive, and
transparent presidential election in Afghanistan on September
28, 2019;
(2) commends the people of Afghanistan for their commitment
to democracy, the rule of law, and free and fair elections;
(3) condemns all threats against the administration of free
and fair democratic elections, including all acts of
terrorism designed to depress turnout and intimidate voters;
and
(4) reaffirms the commitment of the United States
Government to peace and stability in furtherance of a
democratic Afghanistan.
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