22 USC 7706 - Eligible countries

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 7706.

Eligible countries

(a)

Determination by the Board

(b)

Criteria

A candidate country should be considered to be an eligible country for purposes of this section if the Board determines that the country has demonstrated a commitment to—

(1)

just and democratic governance, including a demonstrated commitment to—

(A)

promote political pluralism, equality, and the rule of law;

(B)

respect human and civil rights, including the rights of people with disabilities;

(C)

protect private property rights;

(D)

encourage transparency and accountability of government;

(E)

combat corruption; and

(F)

the quality of the civil society enabling environment;

(2)

economic freedom, including a demonstrated commitment to economic policies that—

(A)

encourage citizens and firms to participate in global trade and international capital markets;

(B)

promote private sector growth;

(C)

strengthen market forces in the economy; and

(D)

respect worker rights, including the right to form labor unions; and

(3)

investments in the people of such country, particularly women and children, including programs that—

(A)

promote broad-based primary education;

(B)

strengthen and build capacity to provide quality public health and reduce child mortality; and

(C)

promote the protection of biodiversity and the transparent and sustainable management and use of natural resources.

(c)

Selection by the Board

(1)

In general

(2)

Factors

In selecting eligible countries under paragraph (1), the Board shall consider the following factors:

(A)

The extent to which the country clearly meets or exceeds the eligibility criteria.

(B)

The opportunity to reduce poverty and generate economic growth in the country.

(C)

The availability of amounts to carry out this chapter.

(d)

Reporting on treatment of civil society

For the 7-year period beginning on April 23, 2018, before the Board selects an eligible country for a Compact under subsection (c), the Corporation shall provide information to the Board regarding the country’s treatment of civil society, including classified information, as appropriate. The information shall include an assessment and analysis of factors including—

(1)

any relevant laws governing the formation or establishment of a civil society organization, particularly laws intended to curb the activities of foreign civil society organizations;

(2)

any relevant laws governing the operations of a civil society organization, particularly those laws seeking to define or otherwise regulate the actions of foreign civil society organizations;

(3)

laws relating to the legal status of civil society organizations, including laws which effectively discriminate against foreign civil society organizations as compared to similarly situated domestic organizations;

(4)

laws regulating the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly; and

(5)

laws regulating the usage of the Internet, particularly by foreign civil society organizations.

(e)

Establishment of criteria and methodology

(f)

Annual modification of criteria and methodology

(Pub. L. 108–199, div. D, title VI, § 607, Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 216; Pub. L. 110–161, div. J, title VI, § 699I(a), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2372; Pub. L. 115–167, title II, § 203, Apr. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1279.)

cite as: 22 USC 7706