SRES 352119th CongressIn Committee

A resolution requesting information on the Republic of South Sudan's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Introduced: Jul 31, 2025

Civil Rights & JusticeDefense & National Security

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This Senate resolution, S. Res. 352, introduces a non-binding request for information concerning the Republic of South Sudan’s human rights practices. It directs the Secretary of State to prepare and submit a comprehensive written statement within 30 days, in collaboration with the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and the Department of State’s Office of the Legal Adviser, pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act. The statement must be provided to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee and cover a broad range of rights-related issues and U.S. government actions related to South Sudan. The request is unusually detailed, requiring not only a description of alleged rights violations by the Government of South Sudan but also extensive information about U.S. actions, policies, and potential implications for U.S. security assistance and the treatment of non-citizens removed to South Sudan by U.S. authorities. It aims to illuminate both abuses and the U.S. policy framework that could affect those topics.

Key Points

1The resolution requires the Secretary of State to submit a 502B(c) rights report within 30 days of adoption, prepared with specific State Department offices, and to deliver it to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
2The report must document all credible information about alleged human rights violations by the Government of South Sudan, including arbitrary detention, torture, due process violations, disappearances, extrajudicial killings, trafficking (including forced labor), and the treatment of non-citizens who have been removed to South Sudan by the United States Government.
3It includes a requirement to describe U.S. actions to promote human rights, discourage abusive practices, publicly or privately dissociate from such practices, and assess whether non-citizens removed to South Sudan have meaningful opportunities to demonstrate they would be harmed if returned.
4A broad set of “other information” must be included, covering: how U.S. security assistance could be used to support abuse, conditions in detention centers or prisons, efforts to ensure the return of non-citizens in compliance with U.S. court orders, protections against unlawful removals, and the status of any U.S.–South Sudan agreements or financial transactions related to removal/trafficking.
5The report must also contain detailed information about individuals sent to South Sudan in 2025, assurances sought or received about treatment, and a summary of 2025 meetings between South Sudan officials and U.S. officials.

Impact Areas

Primary- People in or arriving to South Sudan, particularly non-citizens who were removed or could be subject to removal by U.S. authorities, who may face detention, trafficking, or other human rights concerns.- Government and security officials in the Republic of South Sudan, given the focus on rights practices and U.S. assessments of conditions and treatments in detention centers.Secondary- U.S. government actors, especially the Department of State and U.S. agencies involved in security assistance, removal/remand decisions, and interagency collaboration on human rights.- U.S. Congress, which gains a detailed briefing and a basis for potential oversight or policy consideration.Additional impacts- Civil society and human rights organizations monitoring U.S. foreign policy transparency and accountability regarding South Sudan.- Possible implications for U.S.–South Sudan relations and for future policy decisions about security assistance, visa removals, and arrangements affecting non-citizens present in or removed to South Sudan.- Public disclosure of information about 2025 actions, individuals involved, and government-to-government discussions; could influence diplomatic dynamics and humanitarian considerations.Section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is a statutory mechanism that authorizes Congress to request a formal report on a country’s human rights practices. The resolution leverages this provision to obtain a detailed State Department briefing.“Security assistance” as referenced in the bill relates to U.S. government aid or assistance that could influence security-related activities, including potential effects on human rights. The bill asks for an assessment of how such aid could be used in relation to the topics described.

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