§ 509B. Section to enforce human rights laws

Statutory text

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009, the Attorney General shall establish a section within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice with responsibility for the enforcement of laws against suspected participants in serious human rights offenses.

The section established under subsection (a) is authorized to—

take appropriate legal action against individuals suspected of participating in serious human rights offenses; and

coordinate any such legal action with the United States Attorney for the relevant jurisdiction.

The Attorney General shall, as appropriate, consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State.

In determining the appropriate legal action to take against individuals who are suspected of committing serious human rights offenses under Federal law, the section shall take into consideration the availability of criminal prosecution under the laws of the United States for such offenses or in a foreign jurisdiction that is prepared to undertake a prosecution for the conduct that forms the basis for such offenses.

The term “serious human rights offenses” includes violations of Federal criminal laws relating to genocide, torture, war crimes, and the use or recruitment of child soldiers under sections 1091, 2340, 2340A, 2441, and 2442 of title 18, United States Code.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

2009
Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009
Pub. L. 111–122 § 2(b) · 123 Stat. 3480
Enacted · 28 U.S.C. § 509B
(Added Pub. L. 111–122, § 2(b), Dec. 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 3480.)
Source evidence
Code source credit
(Added Pub. L. 111–122, § 2(b), Dec. 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 3480.)
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(b) Section To Enforce Human Rights Laws.— Chapter 31 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 509A the following: “§ 509B. Section to enforce human rights laws “(a) Not Deadline. Establishment. later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009, the Attorney General shall establish a section within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice with responsibility for the enforcement of laws against suspected participants in serious human rights offenses. “(b) The section established under subsection (a) is authorized to— “(1) take appropriate legal action against individuals suspected of participating in serious human rights offenses; and “(2) coordinate any such legal action with the United States Attorney for the relevant jurisdiction. “(c) The Attorney Consultation. General shall, as appropriate, consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State. “(d) In determining the appropriate legal action to take against individuals who are suspected of committing serious human rights offenses under Federal law, the section shall take into consideration the availability of criminal prosecution under the laws of the United States for such offenses or in a foreign jurisdiction that is prepared to undertake a prosecution for the conduct that forms the basis for such offenses. “(e) The term ‘serious human rights offenses’ includes violations of Federal criminal laws relating to genocide, torture, war crimes, and the use or recruitment of child soldiers under sections 1091, 2340, 2340A, 2441, and 2442 of title 18, United States Code.” .

1 of 1 references resolved to an enrolled provision

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of the enactment of the Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2009, referred to in subsec. (a), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 111–122, which was approved Dec. 22, 2009.

Credits

(Added Pub. L. 111–122, § 2(b), Dec. 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 3480.)