text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Support for Democracy and Human 
  Rights in Zimbabwe Act of 2007''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      Congress makes the following findings:
              (1) When Zimbabwe achieved independence in 1980, its 
          economic and democratic prospects were bright and President 
          Robert Mugabe was hailed as a liberator. However, 27 years 
          later, the economy of Zimbabwe has collapsed as income per 
          capita has fallen below the 1953 level and President Mugabe's 
          Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) 
          government has increasingly and systematically exercised 
          repression of political opposition and engaged in violations of 
          human rights.
              (2) The Department of State's 2006 Country Report on Human 
          Rights Practices states that Zimbabwe's 2002 presidential 
          election and 2005 parliamentary elections were neither free nor 
          fair, and reports that President Mugabe's government interfered 
          with the campaign activities of the opposition, intimidated 
          voters, and distributed food in a partisan manner.
              (3) The Department of State Report also finds that the 
          Government of Zimbabwe continues to--
                      (A) restrict freedom of assembly, movement, and 
                  association;
                      (B) forcibly evict civilians from their land; and
                      (C) harass and abuse members of the opposition, the 
                  media, the religious community, civil society, and 
                  organized labor.
              (4) According to the Freedom House Freedom in the World 
          2007 report, ``In 2006, Zimbabwe suffered from a further 
          deterioration of political rights and civil liberties amid a 
          near-total collapse of the country's economy.''.
              (5) Zimbabwe is a member of the United Nations, the African 
          Union, the Southern African Development Community, the African 
          Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the 
          World Trade Organization, and a party to the Universal 
          Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and 
          Peoples' Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and 
          Political Rights.
              (6) Section 2 of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic 
          Recovery Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-99; 22 U.S.C. 2151 note) 
          states, ``It is the policy of the United States to support the 
          people of Zimbabwe in their struggle to effect peaceful, 
          democratic change, achieve broad-based and equitable economic 
          growth, and restore the rule of law.''.
              (7) In 2002 and 2003, the United States imposed financial 
          and immigration sanctions targeted against selected 
          individuals, a ban on the transfer of defense items and 
          services, and a suspension of nonhumanitarian government-to-
          government assistance, although the United States remains one 
          of the leading providers of humanitarian assistance to the 
          people of Zimbabwe.
              (8) The United Nations, the European Union, the United 
          States, human rights organizations, and many others have 
          condemned the security forces of Zimbabwe for the beating, 
          detention, and arrest of opposition and civil society members 
          attending a prayer meeting on March 11, 2007.
              (9) In March 2007, the heads of state of the Southern 
          African Development Community announced that the President of 
          South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, will mediate between President 
          Mugabe and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change in 
          advance of the 2008 presidential election, but failed to 
          condemn the Government of Zimbabwe for its human rights abuses 
          and restriction of democratic space.
              (10) On March 30, 2007, it was announced that the ZANU-PF 
          central committee had chosen President Mugabe as the party's 
          candidate for the 2008 election and that the parliamentary 
          elections will also be held in 2008, instead of 2010.
              (11) A Human Rights Watch report released in May 2007 
          concluded, ``Arbitrary arrests, detentions, and brutal beatings 
          by police and security forces skyrocketed in March and April, 
          and continue unabated. . . . The Zimbabwean government is 
          violating the human rights of its citizens with impunity.''.
  
  SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
  
      It is the policy of the United States--
              (1) to support the people of Zimbabwe in their efforts to 
          promote democracy and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe; and
              (2) to call on President Mugabe to immediately restore 
          democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe.
  
  SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE CRISIS IN ZIMBABWE.
  
      The following is the sense of Congress:
              (1) The United States welcomes and commends the 
          announcement by the Southern African Development Community that 
          the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, will lead 
          negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties in 
          Zimbabwe to resolve the political and humanitarian crisis in a 
          way that reflects the will of the people of Zimbabwe and 
          respects international standards.
              (2) The creation of a level playing field for those who 
          want to participate in the political process in Zimbabwe and 
          the encouragement of transparency in the political process 
          should be priority objectives in the negotiations.
              (3) All preparations should be made to hold free, fair, and 
          peaceful elections in accordance with international standards, 
          such as the Southern African Development Community 
          Parliamentary Forum Election Norms and Guidelines.
              (4) Cooperation between the United States, regional players 
          in Africa, and the wider international community is an 
          important component of a proactive strategy to support 
          democratic rule and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe.
              (5) Normalized relations with the Government of Zimbabwe 
          are desirable, but until the Government of Zimbabwe promotes 
          democracy and the rule of law, the United States will continue 
          to isolate the Government of Zimbabwe and expand financial and 
          travel sanctions targeted against those responsible for 
          repressing the people of Zimbabwe.
              (6) The United States Permanent Representative to the 
          United Nations should use the voice and vote of the United 
          States in the United Nations Security Council to emphasize the 
          threat to international peace and security posed by the 
          Government of Zimbabwe.
  
  SEC. 5. BRIEFING.
  
      (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
  enactment of this Act, and quarterly thereafter, the Secretary of State 
  shall provide to Congress a briefing on the strategy of the United 
  States for engagement with Zimbabwe.
      (b) Content.--The briefing required by subsection (a) shall include 
  the following:
              (1) The details of a comprehensive policy of the United 
          States to support the people of Zimbabwe in their efforts to 
          promote democratic rule and respect for human rights in 
          Zimbabwe, including support for free, fair and peaceful 
          elections.
              (2) An assessment of the resources necessary to most 
          effectively enable Zimbabwe to return peacefully to a state of 
          democratic governance, with respect for human rights and the 
          rule of law.
              (3) A diplomatic strategy for engaging and encouraging 
          regional partners in Africa to help facilitate the transition 
          of Zimbabwe to democracy.
              (4) A review of policy options in the event of further 
          deterioration of the situation in Zimbabwe.
              (5) A review of policy options in the event of an 
          improvement in the situation in Zimbabwe.
              (6) Indicators of progress toward democracy and respect for 
          human rights that would allow for the removal of targeted 
          bilateral sanctions on Zimbabwe and strengthened relations with 
          the Government of Zimbabwe.
      (c) Consultation.--The Secretary of State shall, to the extent 
  possible, develop the strategy described in subsection (a) in 
  consultation with--
              (1) the United Nations;
              (2) the African Union;
              (3) the Southern African Development Community;
              (4) other multilateral organizations; and
              (5) interested States.
      (d) Sunset.--The requirements of this section shall cease to be 
  effective after the date that is 3 years after the date of the 
  enactment of this Act.
  
  SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
  
      (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there 
  are authorized to be appropriated up to $10,000,000 for the purpose 
  described in subsection (b).
      (b) Purpose.--The purpose described in this subsection is to 
  support democracy and governance activities in Zimbabwe consistent with 
  the provisions of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 
  2001 (Public Law 107-99; 22 U.S.C. 2151 note), including through--
              (1) support for free, fair, and peaceful national elections 
          in accordance with international standards;
              (2) support for the capacity of civil society to create 
          nonviolent political space in Zimbabwe; and
              (3) support for programs to defend and protect the human 
          rights of the people of Zimbabwe.
target: Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Zimbabwe Act of 2007 - States that is U.S. policy to: (1) support the people of Zimbabwe in their efforts to promote democracy and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe; and (2) call on President Mugabe to restore democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe.
  
  Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States welcomes the Southern African Development Community's announcement that the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, will lead negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties in Zimbabwe; (2) preparations should be made to hold free elections in accordance with international standards; (3) cooperation among the United States, regional players in Africa, and the international community is an important component of a proactive strategy to support democratic rule and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe; (4) normalized relations with the government of Zimbabwe are desirable but until the government of Zimbabwe promotes democracy and the rule of law the United States will continue to isolate the government of Zimbabwe and expand financial and travel sanctions against those responsible for repressing Zimbabwe's people; and (5) the United States should use its influence in the U.N. Security Council to emphasize the threat to international peace posed by the government of Zimbabwe.
  
  Directs the Secretary of State to provide Congress with quarterly briefings on U.S. strategy for engagement with Zimbabwe. (Terminates such requirement three years after the date of the enactment of this Act.)
  
  Authorizes appropriations to support democracy and governance activities in Zimbabwe, including support for: (1) free and peaceful national elections; (2) creation of nonviolent political space; and (3) human rights programs.
feat_title: A bill to support democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe, and for other purposes.