article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Zimbabwe Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings: (1) When Zimbabwe achieved independence in 1980, its economic and democratic prospects were bright and President Robert Mugabe was hailed as a liberator. However, 27 years later, the economy of Zimbabwe has collapsed as income per capita has fallen below the 1953 level and President Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) government has increasingly and systematically exercised repression of political opposition and engaged in violations of human rights. (2) The Department of State's 2006 Country Report on Human Rights Practices states that Zimbabwe's 2002 presidential election and 2005 parliamentary elections were neither free nor fair, and reports that President Mugabe's government interfered with the campaign activities of the opposition, intimidated voters, and distributed food in a partisan manner. (3) The Department of State Report also finds that the Government of Zimbabwe continues to-- (A) restrict freedom of assembly, movement, and association; (B) forcibly evict civilians from their land; and (C) harass and abuse members of the opposition, the media, the religious community, civil society, and organized labor. (4) According to the Freedom House Freedom in the World 2007 report, ``In 2006, Zimbabwe suffered from a further deterioration of political rights and civil liberties amid a near-total collapse of the country's economy.''. (5) Zimbabwe is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, the African Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization, and a party to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. (6) Section 2 of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-99; 22 U.S.C. 2151 note) states, ``It is the policy of the United States to support the people of Zimbabwe in their struggle to effect peaceful, democratic change, achieve broad-based and equitable economic growth, and restore the rule of law.''. (7) In 2002 and 2003, the United States imposed financial and immigration sanctions targeted against selected individuals, a ban on the transfer of defense items and services, and a suspension of nonhumanitarian government-to- government assistance, although the United States remains one of the leading providers of humanitarian assistance to the people of Zimbabwe. (8) The United Nations, the European Union, the United States, human rights organizations, and many others have condemned the security forces of Zimbabwe for the beating, detention, and arrest of opposition and civil society members attending a prayer meeting on March 11, 2007. (9) In March 2007, the heads of state of the Southern African Development Community announced that the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, will mediate between President Mugabe and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change in advance of the 2008 presidential election, but failed to condemn the Government of Zimbabwe for its human rights abuses and restriction of democratic space. (10) On March 30, 2007, it was announced that the ZANU-PF central committee had chosen President Mugabe as the party's candidate for the 2008 election and that the parliamentary elections will also be held in 2008, instead of 2010. (11) A Human Rights Watch report released in May 2007 concluded, ``Arbitrary arrests, detentions, and brutal beatings by police and security forces skyrocketed in March and April, and continue unabated. . . . The Zimbabwean government is violating the human rights of its citizens with impunity.''. SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY. It is the policy of the United States-- (1) to support the people of Zimbabwe in their efforts to promote democracy and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe; and (2) to call on President Mugabe to immediately restore democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe. SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE CRISIS IN ZIMBABWE. The following is the sense of Congress: (1) The United States welcomes and commends the announcement by the Southern African Development Community that the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, will lead negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties in Zimbabwe to resolve the political and humanitarian crisis in a way that reflects the will of the people of Zimbabwe and respects international standards. (2) The creation of a level playing field for those who want to participate in the political process in Zimbabwe and the encouragement of transparency in the political process should be priority objectives in the negotiations. (3) All preparations should be made to hold free, fair, and peaceful elections in accordance with international standards, such as the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum Election Norms and Guidelines. (4) Cooperation between the United States, regional players in Africa, and the wider international community is an important component of a proactive strategy to support democratic rule and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe. (5) Normalized relations with the Government of Zimbabwe are desirable, but until the Government of Zimbabwe promotes democracy and the rule of law, the United States will continue to isolate the Government of Zimbabwe and expand financial and travel sanctions targeted against those responsible for repressing the people of Zimbabwe. (6) The United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations should use the voice and vote of the United States in the United Nations Security Council to emphasize the threat to international peace and security posed by the Government of Zimbabwe. SEC. 5. BRIEFING. (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and quarterly thereafter, the Secretary of State shall provide to Congress a briefing on the strategy of the United States for engagement with Zimbabwe. (b) Content.--The briefing required by subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) The details of a comprehensive policy of the United States to support the people of Zimbabwe in their efforts to promote democratic rule and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe, including support for free, fair and peaceful elections. (2) An assessment of the resources necessary to most effectively enable Zimbabwe to return peacefully to a state of democratic governance, with respect for human rights and the rule of law. (3) A diplomatic strategy for engaging and encouraging regional partners in Africa to help facilitate the transition of Zimbabwe to democracy. (4) A review of policy options in the event of further deterioration of the situation in Zimbabwe. (5) A review of policy options in the event of an improvement in the situation in Zimbabwe. (6) Indicators of progress toward democracy and respect for human rights that would allow for the removal of targeted bilateral sanctions on Zimbabwe and strengthened relations with the Government of Zimbabwe. (c) Consultation.--The Secretary of State shall, to the extent possible, develop the strategy described in subsection (a) in consultation with-- (1) the United Nations; (2) the African Union; (3) the Southern African Development Community; (4) other multilateral organizations; and (5) interested States. (d) Sunset.--The requirements of this section shall cease to be effective after the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there are authorized to be appropriated up to $10,000,000 for the purpose described in subsection (b). (b) Purpose.--The purpose described in this subsection is to support democracy and governance activities in Zimbabwe consistent with the provisions of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-99; 22 U.S.C. 2151 note), including through-- (1) support for free, fair, and peaceful national elections in accordance with international standards; (2) support for the capacity of civil society to create nonviolent political space in Zimbabwe; and (3) support for programs to defend and protect the human rights of the people of Zimbabwe.
summary: Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Zimbabwe Act of 2007 - States that is U.S. policy to: (1) support the people of Zimbabwe in their efforts to promote democracy and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe; and (2) call on President Mugabe to restore democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States welcomes the Southern African Development Community's announcement that the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, will lead negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties in Zimbabwe; (2) preparations should be made to hold free elections in accordance with international standards; (3) cooperation among the United States, regional players in Africa, and the international community is an important component of a proactive strategy to support democratic rule and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe; (4) normalized relations with the government of Zimbabwe are desirable but until the government of Zimbabwe promotes democracy and the rule of law the United States will continue to isolate the government of Zimbabwe and expand financial and travel sanctions against those responsible for repressing Zimbabwe's people; and (5) the United States should use its influence in the U.N. Security Council to emphasize the threat to international peace posed by the government of Zimbabwe. Directs the Secretary of State to provide Congress with quarterly briefings on U.S. strategy for engagement with Zimbabwe. (Terminates such requirement three years after the date of the enactment of this Act.) Authorizes appropriations to support democracy and governance activities in Zimbabwe, including support for: (1) free and peaceful national elections; (2) creation of nonviolent political space; and (3) human rights programs.