December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7217 emotional health and reduces the risk of sub- largest annual multinational military exer- elected government, political reforms, long- stance misuse and suicide for teens and cise in the Indo-Pacific region, which is term peace, and respect for established inter- young adults; hosted by ; national human rights standards; Whereas the Jed Foundation, through the Whereas the Government of Thailand con- (3) urges the Government of Thailand to Satow’s vision and commitment, works to tinues to be a partner on humanitarian and protect and uphold democracy, human equip all teens and young adults with the refugee assistance, including support from U- rights, the rule of law, and rights to freedom ability to navigate mental health challenges, Tapao Air Field for multi- of peaceful assembly and freedom of expres- to seek and give help, and to emotionally national relief efforts following the 2004 In- sion, as well as immediately and uncondi- prepare them to enter adulthood and fulfill dian Ocean tsunami and 2015 Nepal earth- tionally release political activists and re- their potential; and quake; frain from harassing, intimidating, or perse- Whereas the Jed Foundation works to have Whereas Thailand ended absolute mon- cuting those engaged in peaceful protests, mental health recognized as part of general archy and transitioned to a constitutional with particular care for the rights and well- health and wellness, and to reduce the monarchy in 1932, and since then has revised being of children and students; shame, secrecy, or prejudice often associated its constitution seventeen times, including a (4) calls on the United States Government with mental health: Now, therefore, be it 1997 constitution that enshrined democrat- to support the right of the people of Thai- Resolved, That the Senate— ically elected representatives in a bicameral land to peacefully and democratically deter- (1) recognizes the 20th anniversary of the national assembly and the prime minister as mine their future; and Jed Foundation; , and a 2007 constitution (5) unequivocally states that a military (2) commends Donna and Phillip Satow for that largely retained that structure; coup to resolve the current political crisis their vision, continued commitment, and Whereas cycles of coups and military rule would be counterproductive and risk further leadership; and have been a recurring feature of governance undermining bilateral relations between the (3) applauds the Jed Foundation for being a in Thailand for almost a century; United States and Thailand. Whereas the Royal Thai military con- leading organization promoting the well- f being of students, families, and schools and ducted a coup in 2014, abolished the 2007 con- paving the way for more young people to find stitution, declared martial law, and replaced SENATE RESOLUTION 790—SUP- the resources and the support they need. the civilian government with a junta under PORTING EFFORTS TO the leadership of Army Commander Prayuth STRENGTHEN PROTECTION, AS- f Chan-ocha; SISTANCE, AND SOLUTIONS FOR SENATE RESOLUTION 789—URGING Whereas the junta’s National Council for VENEZUELAN WOMEN AND CHIL- THE GOVERNMENT OF THAILAND Peace and Order drafted a new constitution DREN TO PROTECT AND UPHOLD DE- which was promulgated in 2017, and served to MOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, THE erode Thailand’s democracy and constitu- Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. tional protection of rights; RULE OF LAW, AND RIGHTS TO RUBIO, and Mr. DURBIN) submitted the Whereas, in March 2019, Thailand held elec- following resolution; which was re- FREEDOM OF PEACEFUL ASSEM- tions that several independent monitoring BLY AND FREEDOM OF EXPRES- groups declared as deeply flawed and heavily ferred to the Committee on Foreign SION, AND FOR OTHER PUR- tilted to favor the military junta, whose Relations: POSES party, headed by Prayuth, formed a new gov- S. RES. 790 ernment with the support of the military-ap- Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Whereas over 5,400,000 Venezuelans have pointed and unelected Senate; been displaced across Latin America and the DURBIN, Mr. CARDIN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Whereas, in January 2020, the opposition Caribbean—the world’s second largest dis- Mr. COONS, Mr. MARKEY, Mrs. SHAHEEN, political party Future Forward was dissolved placement crisis—and at least 7,000,000 peo- Ms. DUCKWORTH, and Mr. MURPHY) sub- and banned on order of the Constitutional ple inside Venezuela are in need of humani- mitted the following resolution; which Court following a flawed legal process pre- tarian assistance as a result of the country’s was referred to the Committee on For- mised on spurious charges; ongoing political and economic crisis; eign Relations: Whereas the Government of Thailand has Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic is exacer- failed to properly investigate issues with re- S. RES. 789 bating the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, spect to violent assaults against democracy given the country’s weak health infrastruc- Whereas the Kingdom of Thailand and the activists and government critics within ture, and posing particular risks for Ven- United States of America first established Thailand, as well as enforced disappearances ezuelan refugees and migrants such as evic- relations in 1818 and entered into the Treaty and killings of exiled Thai political dis- tion, loss of livelihoods, border closures and of Amity and Commerce in 1833, formalizing sidents across Asia; other travel restrictions, lack of access to diplomatic relations; Whereas, since February 2020, tens of thou- health care for those without documenta- Whereas Thailand was the first treaty ally sands of protesters across Thailand, largely tion, and gender-based violence; of the United States in the Asia-Pacific re- students and youth, have peacefully called Whereas it is well-recognized that displace- gion and remains a steadfast friend of the for democratically elected government, con- ment crises— United States with shared values of democ- stitutional reform, and respect for human (1) exacerbate pre-existing violence against racy, rule of law, universal human rights, rights; women and girls; and a free market; Whereas the Government of Thailand has (2) interrupt children’s education and in- Whereas the United States and Thailand in responded to these peaceful protests with re- crease their exposure to violence and exploi- 1954 signed the Southeast Asia Collective De- pressive measures, including intimidation tation; fense Treaty (Manila Pact), pledging to tactics, surveillance, harassment, arrests, vi- (3) cause major stress and trauma on indi- ‘‘strengthen the fabric of peace and freedom olence and imprisonment; viduals and families that can have profound and to uphold the principles of democracy, Whereas Prayuth declared a state of emer- effects on mental health and result in sig- individual liberty and the rule of law’’; gency on October 15, 2020, and characterized nificant needs for psychological and social Whereas, through the Treaty of Amity and the growing pro-democracy protests as support; and Economic Relations of 1966, along with a di- threats to national security and public safe- (4) disrupt family and community connec- verse and growing trading relationship, the ty; tions that mitigate against such violence United States and Thailand have developed Whereas more than 170 peaceful protesters and trauma; strong economic ties; have been arrested since February 2020, Whereas, between 2015 and 2016, maternal Whereas the United States recognizes many of them charged with serious crimes, mortality rates in Venezuela increased by 65 Thailand as a founding member of the Asso- including sedition, that carry potentially percent and infant mortality within the first ciation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) long prison sentences; and week of life increased by 53 percent, and the and host of the 35th ASEAN Summit in 2019, Whereas UNICEF has expressed concern dire state of Venezuela’s public health sys- which reaffirmed that body’s commitment to about the potential harm that children face tem has compelled women to flee the coun- ‘‘a region of lasting peace, security and sta- amidst the ongoing protests in Thailand and try in order to give birth; bility, sustained economic growth, shared called on all parties to uphold children and Whereas one-third of Venezuelan house- prosperity and social progress’’; young people’s right to freedom of expression holds are food insecure, with the greatest Whereas Thailand was designated a major and peaceful assembly, and to protect them risk of adverse nutritional impacts on chil- non-NATO ally in 2003, and is one of the from all forms of violence and intimidation: dren, pregnant and lactating women, and the strongest security partners of the United Now, therefore, be it elderly, according to the World Food Pro- States, a relationship that was recognized Resolved, That the Senate— gram; and expanded upon in the United States- (1) reaffirms the strong relationship be- Whereas the growing prevalence of crimi- Thailand Joint Vision Statement for the tween the United States and Thailand based nal violence, especially intimate partner vio- Thai-United States Defense Alliance in 2012; on shared democratic values and strategic lence, and human trafficking, endemic cor- Whereas the Governments of Thailand and interests; ruption, and impunity in Venezuela has con- the United States hold numerous joint mili- (2) stands in solidarity with the people of tributed to a significant increase in tary exercises, including Cobra Gold, the Thailand in their quest for a democratically femicides;

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