Legis Daily

Uyghur Policy Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-1542| Senate 
| Updated: 4/30/2025
John R. Curtis

John R. Curtis

Republican Senator

Utah

Cosponsors (1)
Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill aims to support the human rights of Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) by countering the People's Republic of China's (PRC) repression of their distinct identity. Congress finds that the PRC engages in arbitrary detentions, "political reeducation" centers, and transnational repression, with credible evidence indicating genocide and crimes against humanity. It is the Sense of Congress that the PRC should immediately open the XUAR to international visits, cease all government-sponsored crackdowns, and unconditionally release political prisoners, while urging other countries to condemn these actions and facilitate humanitarian access. The Secretary of State is mandated to prioritize policies and programs supporting Uyghurs, promote human rights, and coordinate efforts for the release of political prisoners. This includes maintaining close contact with Uyghur leaders, engaging foreign ministries, working with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, supporting independent media, and addressing transnational repression against Uyghurs in exile, with an annual report to Congress. The bill allocates $250,000 annually for three fiscal years to support human rights advocates for public diplomacy, particularly in Muslim-majority countries. It also requires a strategy to pressure the PRC to close all detention and "political reeducation" camps and allow unhindered access for independent assessment, alongside ensuring Uyghur language training for Foreign Service officers and assigning Uyghur-speaking officers to U.S. posts in China. Additionally, the President should direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to oppose efforts preventing consideration of human rights violations in the XUAR and support a special rapporteur.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4073
Uyghur Policy Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1252
Uyghur Policy Act of 2023
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 30, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Sep 3, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2635
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4073
    Uyghur Policy Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1252
    Uyghur Policy Act of 2023


  • April 30, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 30, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • September 3, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2635
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

International Affairs

Uyghur Policy Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-1542| Senate 
| Updated: 4/30/2025
This bill aims to support the human rights of Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) by countering the People's Republic of China's (PRC) repression of their distinct identity. Congress finds that the PRC engages in arbitrary detentions, "political reeducation" centers, and transnational repression, with credible evidence indicating genocide and crimes against humanity. It is the Sense of Congress that the PRC should immediately open the XUAR to international visits, cease all government-sponsored crackdowns, and unconditionally release political prisoners, while urging other countries to condemn these actions and facilitate humanitarian access. The Secretary of State is mandated to prioritize policies and programs supporting Uyghurs, promote human rights, and coordinate efforts for the release of political prisoners. This includes maintaining close contact with Uyghur leaders, engaging foreign ministries, working with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, supporting independent media, and addressing transnational repression against Uyghurs in exile, with an annual report to Congress. The bill allocates $250,000 annually for three fiscal years to support human rights advocates for public diplomacy, particularly in Muslim-majority countries. It also requires a strategy to pressure the PRC to close all detention and "political reeducation" camps and allow unhindered access for independent assessment, alongside ensuring Uyghur language training for Foreign Service officers and assigning Uyghur-speaking officers to U.S. posts in China. Additionally, the President should direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to oppose efforts preventing consideration of human rights violations in the XUAR and support a special rapporteur.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4073
Uyghur Policy Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1252
Uyghur Policy Act of 2023
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 30, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Sep 3, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2635
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4073
    Uyghur Policy Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1252
    Uyghur Policy Act of 2023


  • April 30, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 30, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


  • September 3, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2635
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
John R. Curtis

John R. Curtis

Republican Senator

Utah

Cosponsors (1)
Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Foreign Relations Committee

International Affairs

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted