United States strengthening of coordination on Uyghur issues

(a) In general The Secretary of State, as appropriate, shall— (1) prioritize policies, programs, and projects to support the Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in the XUAR; (2) vigorously promote the policy of seeking to protect the distinct ethnic, religious, cultural, and linguistic identity of the Uyghurs and other minority groups and seek improved protection of human rights in the XUAR; (3) direct the State Department to maintain close contact with Uyghur religious, cultural, and political leaders, including seeking regular travel to the XUAR and to Uyghur populations in Central Asia, Turkey, Albania, Germany, and other parts of Europe; (4) lead coordination efforts for the release of political prisoners in the XUAR who are being detained for exercising their human rights or being relatives of exiled Uyghurs; (5) consult with the United States Congress on policies relevant to the XUAR and the Uyghurs; (6) coordinate with relevant Federal agencies to administer aid to Uyghur rights advocates; (7) make efforts to establish contacts with foreign ministries of other countries, especially in Europe, Central Asia, and members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, to pursue a policy of promoting greater respect for human rights and religious freedom for Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups from the XUAR; (8) utilize the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and United States Strategic Dialogue to address Uyghur rights, working with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation individual member states to develop and implement joint initiatives and programs aimed at promoting awareness of Uyghur rights, and support Uyghur victims of detainment, harassment, and transnational repression; (9) support independent media authorized under PL 111/202 22 U.S.C. 6208 of the 111th Congress that conduct reporting and investigative journalism focused on the XUAR, including in local languages, to ensure that further PRC human rights abuses are reported on; (10) work with international partners to raise awareness concerning acts of transnational repression against Uyghur Americans or Uyghurs exiled in the United States; (11) develop and implement strategies to prevent and respond to the transnational repression of Uyghur Americans and Uyghurs exiled in the United States; (12) establish a reporting mechanism for individuals to report incidents of transnational repression; and (13) submit an annual report, including a classified annex if necessary, to Congress on actions taken by the United States to address and prevent transnational repression against Uyghurs in the United States, and recommendations for further legislative or policy measures. (b) Support The Secretary of State shall ensure the Department of State has adequate resources, staff, and administrative support to carry out this section. (c) Termination This section shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.