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Otto Warmbier Countering North Korean Censorship and Surveillance Act of 2021
12/29/2022, 12:33 PM
Summary of Bill HR 8799
The main goal of the bill is to promote freedom of information in North Korea by providing resources and support to individuals and organizations working to counter censorship and surveillance in the country. This includes funding for radio broadcasts, internet access, and other forms of communication that can help North Koreans access uncensored information.
Additionally, the bill seeks to hold the North Korean government accountable for its human rights abuses, including the use of censorship and surveillance to control its population. It calls for the imposition of sanctions on individuals and entities involved in these activities, as well as on those who provide support to the North Korean regime. Overall, the Otto Warmbier Countering North Korean Censorship and Surveillance Act of 2021 is a bipartisan effort to promote freedom of information and human rights in North Korea. It reflects the ongoing concern in Congress about the oppressive tactics used by the North Korean government and seeks to support efforts to counter these practices.
Congressional Summary of HR 8799
Otto Warmbier Countering North Korean Censorship and Surveillance Act of 2021
This bill authorizes sanctions related to censorship in North Korea and addresses related issues.
The President may impose property-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals and entities responsible for implementing or facilitating North Korea's censorship laws and surveillance. For the individuals that meet such criteria, the President may also impose visa-blocking sanctions.
The bill also authorizes the U.S. Agency for Global Media to provide increased broadcasting and grants for various purposes, including the development of internet freedom tools to facilitate information sharing related to North Korea and the restoration of the agency's broadcasting capacity to North Korea.
The President must submit to Congress a strategy to combat North Korea's information environment. The Department of State and the Department of the Treasury must jointly report to Congress each year on U.S. government activities related to the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea.
