March 10, 2025
Ms. Omar (for herself, Ms. Jacobs, and Mr. Castro of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
To encourage the establishment in the Department of State of an Office of Global Criminal Justice, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Global Criminal Justice Act
.
Sec. 2. Office of Global Criminal Justice
(a) In general
There is established within the Department of State an Office of Global Criminal Justice (referred to in this section as the Office
), which may be placed within the organizational structure of the Department at the discretion of the Secretary of State.
(b) Duties
The duties of the Office are the following:
(1)
Advise the Secretary of State and other relevant senior Federal officials on issues related to atrocities, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
(2)
Assist in formulating United States policy on the prevention of, responses to, and accountability for atrocities.
(3)
Coordinate, as appropriate and with other relevant Federal departments and agencies, United States Government positions relating to the international and hybrid courts currently prosecuting persons suspected of atrocities around the world.
(4)
Work with other governments, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations, as appropriate, to establish and assist international and domestic commissions of inquiry, fact-finding missions, and tribunals to investigate, document, and prosecute atrocities around the world.
(5)
Coordinate, as appropriate and with other relevant Federal departments and agencies, the deployment of diplomatic, legal, economic, military, and other tools to help collect evidence of atrocities, judge those responsible, protect and assist victims, enable reconciliation, prevent and deter atrocities, and promote the rule of law.
(6)
Provide advice and expertise on transitional justice mechanisms to United States personnel operating in conflict and post-conflict environments.
(7)
Act as a point of contact for international, hybrid, and domestic tribunals exercising jurisdiction over atrocities committed around the world.
(8)
Represent the Department of State on any interagency whole-of-government coordinating entities addressing genocide and other atrocities.
(9)
Perform any additional duties and exercise such powers as the Secretary of State may prescribe.
(c) Supervision
The Office shall be led by an Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, who shall be nominated by the President and appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.