U.S. lawmakers from both parties have introduced legislation in both the House and Senate to stop the practice of organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience, which is sanctioned by Chinese Communist authorities.
“Organ harvesting is a rather barbaric and inhumane act that our world cannot tolerate.” Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.Y.), the lead sponsor of the House bill, said in a March 9 statement.
Smith added, “We must do more to stop the brutal acts of international human trafficking groups, terrorist organizations, and even some governments, especially the Chinese Communist regime. They kill innocent people and sell their organs for a huge profit.”
He added, “Our legislation would authorize the U.S. Department of State to identify and expose organ harvesters and traffickers around the world, with the goal of punishing perpetrators through effective sanctions and travel restrictions.”
The legislation, known as the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act, would authorize the U.S. government to deny or revoke the passports of those engaged in illegal organ trafficking.
Under Section 301 of the National Organ Transplant Act, the commercialization and private sale of human organs is prohibited.
China has been one of the top destinations for transplant tourism, and Beijing has promoted the claim that organs come from voluntary donors in U.S. newspapers. As of Jan. 1, 2015, Communist authorities stopped removing organs from executed prisoners and claimed a new system of voluntary donations as the source of organs.
In addition, the legislation would require the State Department to report annually on foreign forced organ harvesting and to identify foreign officials and entities responsible for forced organ harvesting and to impose sanctions under the legislation.
The legislation would also prohibit the United States from exporting organ transplant surgical equipment to these foreign responsible entities.
The House bill (H.R. 1592) is co-sponsored by Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-CA) and Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-CA). The Senate bill (S.602) is sponsored by Republican Senator Tom Cotton (R-UT) and Democratic Senator Chris Coons (D-MT).
In a statement, Tom Cotton said, “There is growing evidence that the Chinese Communist Party does and continues to harvest organs from persecuted religious groups, prisoners of conscience, and inmates.”
“This bill would identify and punish members of the Chinese Communist Party who are involved in forced organ harvesting. It is Time to hold Beijing accountable for these heinous acts.”
Similar legislation was introduced last December in the last session of Congress.
This year, four different counties in Virginia have passed resolutions condemning forced organ harvesting by the Chinese Communist Party.
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