United States of America > Human rights

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act, 2009 (P.L. 111-166 [H.R.3714] (124 STAT 1186-1187). -

Adoption: 2010-05-17 | USA-2010-L-86543

An Act to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include in the Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices information about freedom of the press in foreign countries, and for other purposes.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-122 [S. 1472]. -

Adoption: 2009-12-22 | USA-2009-L-85222

Adds a new Section 509A into Chapter 31 of Title 28 USC concerning the Attorney General. Eliminates the Office of Special Investigations within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish, within 90 days after the enactment of this Act, a section within the Criminal Division of DOJ with responsibility for the enforcement of laws against suspected participants in serious human rights offenses; and (2) consult with the Secretaries of Homeland Security and State in taking appropriate legal action against such individuals. Defines "serious human rights offenses" to include genocide, torture, war crimes, and the use or recruitment of child soldiers. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) to punish a conspiracy to commit genocide in the same manner as completed act of genocide; (2) eliminate the limitation period for prosecuting crimes of genocide; and (3) include genocide and recruitment of child soldiers as predicates for the crime of providing material support to terrorists. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act by repealing Section 103(h) to broaden the basis for rendering aliens participating in genocide inadmissible.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Genocide Accountability Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-151 [S. 888] U.S.C. 1).

Adoption: 2007-12-21 | USA-2007-L-78634

Amends section 1091 of title 18 of the USC to allow for the prosecution of genocide in certain circumstances - i.e. the offence has to be committed in whole or in part in the United States and the alleged offender must be either a citizen, a legal resident of the U.S.; a stateless person whose habitual residence is in the U.S.; or if the alleged offender is brought into or found in the U.S. even if the genocide occured outside of the country.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 [United States of America], Public Law 108¿333 (108th Congress). -

Adoption: 2004-10-14 | USA-2004-L-85435

An Act to promote human rights and freedom in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Establishes the position of special envoy for North Korean human rights, and calls for all North Korea¿U.S. negotiations to be tied to the country¿s progress on human rights issues. It authorizes the US President to provide funds for nonprofit groups to advance human rights in the country and requires verification that humanitarian and non-humanitarian aid
is used for nonpolitical purposes. The law also seeks to assure increased protection for North Korean refugees.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Clean Diamond Trade Act (Public Law 108-19). -

Adoption: 2003-04-25 | USA-2003-L-64767

Provides for implementation of measures to stop trade in conflict diamonds. Establishes that the President shall prohibit importation into, or exportation from, the Unites States of any rough diamonds, from whatever source, that have not been controlled through the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Also provides for waiver.

United States of America - Human rights - Miscellaneous (circular, directive, legal notice, instruction, etc.)

Executive Order 13107 on implementation of human rights treaties. -

Adoption: 1998-12-10 | USA-1998-M-57349

Declares that it shall be the policy and practice of the Government of the United States fully to respect and implement its obligations under the international human rights treaties to which it is a party, including the ICCPR, the CAT, and the CERD. Provides for the establishment of a contact officer within all executive deparments and agencies who will be responsible for overall coordination of the implementation of this order.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-320 [H.R. 4309]).

Adoption: 1998-10-30 | USA-1998-L-52826

Amends the Foreign Assistance Act 1961 (22 USC 2151 et seq.) to provide for funding and support for torture victim assistance programmes in the United States and abroad, and for related specialized training for foreign service officers.

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Listening-In to or Recording Telephone Conversations Rules (20 CFR Part 422).

Adoption: 1998-10-13 | Date of entry into force: 1998-11-25 | USA-1998-R-51161

Provides for limited circumstances in which Social Security Administration employees may listen in to or record telephone conversations.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Defense of Marriage Act (Public Law 104-199 [H.R. 3396]).

Adoption: 1996-09-21 | USA-1996-L-45639

No State shall be required to recognize a same-sex marriage performed in another State. The Federal Government will recognize as marriage only the union between one man and one woman and only a spouse of the opposite sex for the purposes of Federal law.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

War Crimes Act 1996 (Public Law 104-192 [H.R. 3680]) (18 U.S.C. § 2441).

Adoption: 1996-08-21 | USA-1996-L-45456

Provides that U.S. citizens, including members of the Armed Forces, may be liable for breaches of the Geneva Conventions, whether committed inside or outside U.S. territory.

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Freedom of Information Act Regulations (22 CFR Part 503)

Adoption: 1994-02-07 | Date of entry into force: 1993-02-08 | USA-1994-R-36207

Revises the United States Information Agency's current regulation implementing the Freedom of Information Act.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. Public Law 103-141 (H.R. 1308).

Adoption: 1993-11-16 | USA-1993-L-37365

Provides that the Government may not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability. However, the Government may substantially burden a person's exercise of religion if it demonstrates that application of the burden to that person is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance; Suspension of Benefits Where Individual is Deported; Exemption From Social Security Because of Religious Beliefs Rule (20 CFR Part 404)

Adoption: 1993-06-17 | Date of entry into force: 1993-12-10 | USA-1993-R-35630

Concerns the suspension of social security benefits if an individual is deported under certain provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, an exemption from Social Security for employees and employer who are both members of certain religious faiths opposed to acceptance of insurance benefits including those provided by Social Security, and an exemption from Social Security for certain employees of churches and church-controlled organisations.

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Aid to Families With Dependent Children and Adult Assistance Programs; Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act Rule (45 CFR Part 205)

Adoption: 1992-05-13 | Date of entry into force: 1992-11-13 | USA-1992-R-31774

Applies to State agencies administering the Aid to Families with Dependant Children Program and the Adult Assistance Programs of the Social Security Act and implements provisions of the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988. The changes modify the requirement of independent verification of computer match findings before imposing any adverse actions.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1990. Public Law 101-645 (H.R.3789).

Adoption: 1990-11-29 | USA-1990-L-22365

Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to extend programs providing urgently needed assistance for the homeless, and for other purposes.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Public Law 101-601 (H.R. 5237).

Adoption: 1990-11-16 | USA-1990-L-22344

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Age Discrimination Claims Assistance Amendments of 1990. Public Law 101-504 (H.R.5794).

Adoption: 1990-11-03 | Date of entry into force: 1988-04-07 | USA-1990-L-22369

Amends the Age Discrimination Claims Assistance Act of 1988 to extend the statute of limitations applicable to certain additional claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by ACTION Rule (45 CFR Part 1214)

Adoption: 1990-11-02 | Date of entry into force: 1991-01-14 | USA-1990-R-22351

Regulation requiring operation of ACTION programs and activities without discrimination against disabled persons, providing definitions and standards, and establishing a detailed complaint mechanism.

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Freedom of Information Act Rules (3 CFR Part 101)

Adoption: 1990-10-31 | Date of entry into force: 1990-12-03 | USA-1990-R-22326

This final rule concerning freedom of information updates the information contained in this part in order to make it consistent with legislative and executive action promulgated since 1973.

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board; Disclosure of Records Rule (5 CFR Part 1631)

Adoption: 1990-09-06 | Date of entry into force: 1990-10-09 | USA-1990-R-22333

Regulations implementing the public information provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, and providing procedures for access to information and records under other authorities.

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Practices and Procedures Rule (5 CFR Part 1201)

Adoption: 1989-12-26 | Date of entry into force: 1989-12-29 | USA-1989-R-9230

Amendments to the Merit System Protection Board's interim rules of practice and procedure. These rules also implements the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (Public Law 101-12).

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Practices and Procedures for Appeals of Personnel Actions Allegedly Based on Whistleblowing and Requests for Stays of Personnel Actions in Such Cases Rule (5 CFR Part 1209)

Adoption: 1989-06-29 | Date of entry into force: 1989-07-09 | USA-1989-R-8171

These amendments of the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board add a new Part to implement the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987 (the Proxmire Act). Public Law 100-606 (S. 1851).

Adoption: 1988-11-05 | USA-1988-L-7474

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Application of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 Rule (29 CFR Part 801)

Adoption: 1988-10-18 | Date of entry into force: 1988-12-27 | USA-1988-R-7478

Adds new Subchapter C to Chapter V of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Contains general provisions and provisions on exemptions, restrictions on polygraph usage under exemptions, recordkeeping and disclosure requirements, enforcement and administrative proceedings under the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988. Public Law 100-347 (H.R. 1212) (29 U.S.C., Chapter 22). -

Adoption: 1988-06-27 | Date of entry into force: 1988-12-27 | USA-1988-L-6478

Prevents most private employers from using lie-dectector tests to screen prospective employees, to test current employees or to subject them to discharge, discipline or discrimination for refusing to take such a test or filing a complaint about the use of lie-detector tests. Job applicants, employees and the Secretary of Labor may file civil suits in federal court asking for legal and equitable relief; the Department of Labor may also seek fines for violators. Under certain conditions, exceptions are provided in cases involving national defence or security and ongoing investigations of economic loss or injury to the employer's business such as theft, embezzlement or sabotage. The Act prescribes procedures to follow in cases in which lie-detector tests are permitted.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987. Public Law 100-259 (S. 557).

Adoption: 1988-03-22 | USA-1988-L-6293

Passed in response to a Supreme Court interpretation, this Act restores the broad scope of coverage and clarifies the application of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (see LS 1967 - USA 1) and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (see LS 1972 - USA 1). It specifies that an institution which receives federal financial assistance is also prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or age in a programme or activity which does not directly benefit from such assistance.

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Executive Order relating to the implentation of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act (No. 12571)

Adoption: 1986-10-27 | USA-1986-R-3037

Defines the functions of various Government departments in implementing this Act (Public Law 99-440).

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986. Public Law 99-440 (H.R. 4868).

Adoption: 1986-10-02 | USA-1986-L-2878

Prohibits loans to, other investments in, and certain other activities with respect to, South Africa. It sets forth United States policy and future policy with respect to ending apartheid (Titles I and V), and calls for measures to assist victims of apartheid (Title II) and measures to undermine apartheid (Titles III and IV). Inter alia, the Act sets forth a Code of Conduct which any US national employing 25 employees or more in South Africa must follow. The Code calls in particular for desegregating places of employment, providing equal employment opportunity for all employees without regard to race or ethnic origin, establishing minimum wages and non-racial pay systems, and recognising the right of all employees to form, join and assist labour organisations (section 208). The Act also appropriates up to $3 million in each fiscal year for training programmes for South African trade unionists (section 551(a)).

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

South Africa and Fair Labor Standards Rule (22 CFR Parts 60 to 65)

Adoption: 1985-12-23 | USA-1986-R-2265

These Regulations, which are in line with the United States policy of "constructive engagement", require United States firms in South Africa to take good faith measures to implement fair labour standards and to report to the Department of State in this regard. Fair labour standards are defined as desegregating the races in each employment facility, providing equal employment opportunity for all employees without regard to race or ethnic origin, assuring that the pay system is applied to all employees without regard to race or ethnic origin, establishing an appropriate minimum living wage and salary structure, increasing by appropriate means the number of persons who are disadvantaged by the apartheid system in managerial, supervisory, administrative, clerical and technical jobs, taking steps to improve the quality of employees' lives outside the work environment with respect to housing, transportation, schooling, recreation and health, and recognising the right of all employees to self-organisation and to form, join or assist labour organisations freely and without penalty or reprisal, as well as the right to refrain from such activity. The Regulations apply to United States nationals who employ at least 25 individuals in South Africa, or who own or control more than 50 percent of the outstanding voting securities of a foreign subsidiary or other entity that employs at least that number, or who controls in fact (as further defined) any other foreign entity employing that number. These United States nationals are required to register, to maintain records regarding fair labour practices, and to report annually to the Department of State regarding the implementation of the principles. Bona fide participants subscribing to the voluntary Sullivan Code and filing reports thereunder are exempt from the requirement of submitting a separate detailed annual report. The Office of Southern African Affairs of the Department of State is to prepare an overall annual report concerning the implementation of the general policies and reporting requirementsection In cases of non-adherence, the Regulations provide that no United States department or agency may intercede with any foreign government regarding export marketing activity (promoting sales, participating in trade fairs, etc.). Failure to comply the reporting and registration requirements (only) is subject to a civil penalty involving a fine of up to $10,000, or up to $50,000 in cases of willful violation (this does not apply to financing of experts by the Export-Import Bank to South Africa). An Appendix contains examples of fair labour practicesection The Regulations implement Executive Order 12532 of 9 Sept. 1985 (Federal Register, p. 36861 et seq.) under the authority of section 203 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 USC 1701).

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Awards Act of 1976 (as amended through October 1, 1981)

Adoption: 1981-10-01 | Date of entry into force: 1981-10-01 | USA-1981-L-31138

Makes rules in respect of proceedings in vindication of civil rights and of attorney's fees. (Abridged version. Not all provisions are included.)

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Discrimination Because of Sex Rule (29 CFR Part 1604)

Adoption: 1980-04-03 | USA-1980-R-11897

Insertion of a new para. 1604.11 (sexual harassment).

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Civil Rights Act of 1964-Pregnancy Discrimination. Public Law 95-555 (S. 995).

Adoption: 1978-10-31 | USA-1978-L-12700

Amends Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [LS 1964-USA 1 (extracts), 1972-USA 1] to prohibit sex discrimination on the basis of pregnancy.

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Ley núm. 134, "Ley del Procurador del Ciudadano (Ombudsman)".

Adoption: 1977-06-30 | USA-1977-L-30862

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Civil Rights Act of 1968 (as amended through October 2, 1976)

Adoption: 1976-10-02 | Date of entry into force: 1968-04-11 | USA-1976-L-31139

Makes provisions in respect of federally protected activites and deprivation of relief benefits. (Abridged version. Not all provisions are included.)

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Non-discrimination in Federal Assisted Programs - Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act Rule (45 CFR Part 1203)

Adoption: 1974-05-31 | USA-1974-R-15310

United States of America - Human rights - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Equal Opportunity Rule (5 CFR Part 713)

Adoption: 1971-05-28 | USA-1971-R-17358

Adds a new subsection (g) to section 713.204 (implementation of agency program: accomodation of the religious needs of employees (grant of leave, etc.)).

United States of America - Human rights - Law, Act

Civil Rights Act of 1866

Adoption: 1866 | Date of entry into force: 1866-04-09 | USA-1866-L-31135

Provides that all citizens of the United States shall have the same right, in every State and Territory, as is enjoyed by white citizens to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal property. (Abridged version. Not all provisions are included.)