A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the culpability of Hun Sen for violations of international humanitarian law after 1978 in Cambodia (the former People's Republic of Kampuchea and the State of Cambodia).
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (15 Oct 1998): Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
What this bill does
S.Res. 309 is a Senate resolution expressing the "sense of the Senate" regarding Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's alleged responsibility for human rights abuses committed after 1978. It does not carry the force of law but states Senate opinion. The resolution recounts allegations against Hun Sen, including his role during the Vietnamese-backed occupation of Cambodia, violence against political opponents before and after the 1993 election, a 1997 coup that reportedly led to civilian deaths and forced displacement, and a 1998 crackdown on demonstrators protesting election irregularities. Based on these allegations, the resolution calls for the United States to compile evidence on Hun Sen's conduct, share existing and future information with an appropriate international tribunal, cooperate with other countries and organizations on gathering such evidence, work with other nations toward holding Hun Sen and those under his authority accountable, and support a tribunal investigating his potential criminal responsibility.
The resolution primarily concerns U.S. foreign policy toward Cambodia and Hun Sen personally, and would affect how the U.S. government approaches information-sharing and cooperation with international bodies regarding possible war crimes or human rights prosecutions. It does not create new legal obligations, sanctions, or programs, but signals a policy stance the Senate wanted the executive branch to adopt.
The bill was introduced on October 15, 1998, by Senator Jesse Helms, with Senator Mitch McConnell as a cosponsor, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. According to the official record, it did not receive a vote and no further action was taken; the resolution did not advance beyond introduction.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should: (1) establish a collection of information that can be supplied to an appropriate international judicial tribunal for use as evidence to support a possible indictment and trial of Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, for violations of international humanitarian law after 1978; (2) provide the tribunal any such information already collected; (3) work with members of interested countries and nongovernmental organizations relating to information any country or organization may hold concerning allegations posed against Hun Sen and any individual under his authority in Cambodia and give all such information to the tribunal; (4) work with other interested countries relating to measures to be taken to bring to justice Hun Sen and individuals under Hun Sen's authority indicted for such violations of international humanitarian law after 1978; and (5) support such a tribunal for the purpose of investigating Hun Sen's possible criminal culpability for conceiving, directing, and sustaining a variety of actions in violation of international humanitarian law after 1978 in any judicial proceeding that may result.
Timeline
15 Oct 1998
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Common questions
- What does S.Res. 309 do?
- S.Res. 309 is a Senate resolution expressing the "sense of the Senate" regarding Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's alleged responsibility for human rights abuses committed after 1978. It does not carry the force of law but states Senate opinion. The resolution recounts allegations against Hun Sen, including his role during the Vietnamese-backed occupation of Cambodia, violence against political opponents before and after the 1993 election, a 1997 coup that reportedly led to civilian deaths and forced displacement, and a 1998 crackdown on demonstrators protesting election irregularities. Based on these allegations, the resolution calls for the United States to compile evidence on Hun Sen's conduct, share existing and future information with an appropriate international tribunal, cooperate with other countries and organizations on gathering such evidence, work with other nations toward holding Hun Sen and those under his authority accountable, and support a tribunal investigating his potential criminal responsibility. The resolution primarily concerns U.S. foreign policy toward Cambodia and Hun Sen personally, and would affect how the U.S. government approaches information-sharing and cooperation with international bodies regarding possible war crimes or human rights prosecutions. It does not create new legal obligations, sanctions, or programs, but signals a policy stance the Senate wanted the executive branch to adopt. The bill was introduced on October 15, 1998, by Senator Jesse Helms, with Senator Mitch McConnell as a cosponsor, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. According to the official record, it did not receive a vote and no further action was taken; the resolution did not advance beyond introduction.
- Has S.Res. 309 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S.Res. 309. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S.Res. 309?
- S.Res. 309 was sponsored by Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC] (R-NC), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S.Res. 309?
- Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (15 Oct 1998).
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