Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act of 2021

12/30/2022, 7:04 AM

Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act of 2021

This bill imposes sanctions involving Afghanistan and addresses related issues.

The President must impose, with certain exceptions, visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign individual or entity that (1) provides support to any terrorist group in Afghanistan, (2) is responsible for or complicit in serious human rights abuses in Afghanistan, or (3) plays a significant role in international narcotics trafficking centered in Afghanistan.

The President may also impose such sanctions on any foreign individual or entity that provides certain support for (1) the Taliban or any Taliban member, or (2) any agency of the Taliban-controlled government of Afghanistan.

Additionally, the Department of State must (1) require U.S. representatives to the United Nations to advocate and vote to maintain sanctions against the Taliban, and (2) encourage allies and partner countries to impose sanctions against the Taliban.

The State Department may suspend the sanctions imposed under this bill upon certifying to Congress that the Taliban has taken certain actions, such as breaking all ties with other terrorist groups.

The State Department must establish a task force to (1) implement a strategy relating to the evacuation of Afghanistan, and (2) identify individuals in Afghanistan who have sought admission into the United States as a refugee or humanitarian parolee.

The bill requires various reports, including on (1) a revised strategy for engagement with South and Central Asian countries after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, (2) a counterterrorism strategy for Afghanistan, and (3) the extent of Taliban human rights abuses.

Congress
117

Number
S - 2863

Introduced on
2021-09-27

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

9/27/2021

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act of 2021

This bill imposes sanctions involving Afghanistan and addresses related issues.

The President must impose, with certain exceptions, visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign individual or entity that (1) provides support to any terrorist group in Afghanistan, (2) is responsible for or complicit in serious human rights abuses in Afghanistan, or (3) plays a significant role in international narcotics trafficking centered in Afghanistan.

The President may also impose such sanctions on any foreign individual or entity that provides certain support for (1) the Taliban or any Taliban member, or (2) any agency of the Taliban-controlled government of Afghanistan.

Additionally, the Department of State must (1) require U.S. representatives to the United Nations to advocate and vote to maintain sanctions against the Taliban, and (2) encourage allies and partner countries to impose sanctions against the Taliban.

The State Department may suspend the sanctions imposed under this bill upon certifying to Congress that the Taliban has taken certain actions, such as breaking all ties with other terrorist groups.

The State Department must establish a task force to (1) implement a strategy relating to the evacuation of Afghanistan, and (2) identify individuals in Afghanistan who have sought admission into the United States as a refugee or humanitarian parolee.

The bill requires various reports, including on (1) a revised strategy for engagement with South and Central Asian countries after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, (2) a counterterrorism strategy for Afghanistan, and (3) the extent of Taliban human rights abuses.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to require the imposition of sanctions with respect to the Taliban and persons assisting the Taliban in Afghanistan, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
International Affairs

Potential Impact
Afghanistan•
Alliances•
Asia•
Aviation and airports•
China•
Conflicts and wars•
Congressional oversight•
Department of State•
Detention of persons•
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad•
Drug trafficking and controlled substances•
Emergency planning and evacuation•
Europe•
Executive agency funding and structure•
Food assistance and relief•
Foreign aid and international relief•
Foreign property•
Government studies and investigations•
Human rights•
Immigration status and procedures•
Immunology and vaccination•
India•
Infrastructure development•
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information•
International organizations and cooperation•
Iran•
Kazakhstan•
Kyrgyzstan•
Middle East•
Military assistance, sales, and agreements•
Military education and training•
Military facilities and property•
Military operations and strategy•
Mining•
Multilateral development programs•
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents•
Racial and ethnic relations•
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons•
Religion•
Russia•
Sanctions•
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status•
Tajikistan•
Tariffs•
Terrorism•
Turkmenistan•
U.S. and foreign investments•
United Nations•
Uzbekistan•
Visas and passports•
War and emergency powers•
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity•
Women's rights•
World health

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary5/11/2022

Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act of 2021

This bill imposes sanctions involving Afghanistan and addresses related issues.

The President must impose, with certain exceptions, visa- and p...


Latest Action9/27/2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.