H.R. 1848: Houthi Human Rights Accountability Act

The Houthi Human Rights Accountability Act focuses on addressing concerns related to the actions and policies of the Houthi movement in Yemen. It aims to hold individuals within this group accountable for human rights violations and to acknowledge their indoctrination efforts that threaten regional stability. Below are the main components of the bill:

Report on Houthi Indoctrination

The Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is required to submit a report within 180 days of the bill's enactment. This report will detail:

• Efforts by the Houthis to indoctrinate Yemenis into violent, anti-Semitic, or extremist ideologies.
• The potential long-term threats posed by such indoctrination campaigns to regional stability.

Report on Humanitarian Aid Obstacles

Another report is mandated to assess the challenges faced by international and non-governmental organizations in providing humanitarian aid in Houthi-controlled areas. This report should be submitted within 180 days and include:

• Houthi-imposed rules affecting aid distribution and access.
• Interference by Houthis in aid delivery, including manipulation of beneficiary data.
• Violence and intimidation directed at humanitarian workers and diplomats.
• Actions by the U.S. and partners to ensure unhindered humanitarian assistance delivery.

Report on Human Rights Abuses

The bill requires a report on human rights abuses by the Houthis, which must cover violations from March 1, 2015, to a date 90 days after the bill's enactment. This report will highlight abuses such as:

• Gender-based discrimination and violence.
• Recruitment and use of child soldiers.
• Enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions.
• Acts of torture and unlawful killings.

Sanctions Authorization

Under this act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, will determine if members of the Houthis who engage in certain actions should face sanctions. This includes:

• Imposing unlawful restrictions on humanitarian aid delivery.
• Committing the human rights abuses listed in the reports.

These sanctions are authorized under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and the Robert Levinson Hostage Taking and Accountability Act. The Secretary of State must make these determinations within 180 days and annually thereafter.

Duration of the Act

The provisions of this act will remain in effect for five years from the date of its enactment.

Definitions Used in the Act

The act provides definitions for key terms such as "appropriate congressional committees," "foreign person," "Houthis," and "United States person," establishing a framework for how these terms are understood within the legislation.

Relevant Companies

None found.