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HR 2050 108th Congress House

Universal Jurisdiction Rejection Act of 2003

Official title: To prohibit cooperation with or assistance to any investigation or prosecution under a universal jurisdiction statute.

Introduced: May 19, 2003 See on congress.gov
International Affairs AlliancesAmericans in foreign countriesArmed Forces and National SecurityArmed forces abroad
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ArrestBriberyClassified defense informationCongressCongress and foreign policyCongressional reporting requirementsCrime and Law EnforcementCrimes against humanityCriminal justice informationDetention of personsEast AsiaEuropeEvidence (Law)ExtraditionExtraterritorialityFederal employeesForeign agentsForfeitureGenocideGovernment Operations and PoliticsHuman rightsImprisonmentInternational cooperationInternational courtsJurisdictionLawLegal servicesMilitary agreementsMilitary command and controlMilitary operationsMilitary personnelNATO countriesPresident and foreign policyPrisonersProsecutionProtection of officialsSearches and seizuresTaiwanTortureTreatiesUnited NationsWar crimesWarrants (Law)
This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 9, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
May 9, 2003
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 9, 2003

Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Universal Jurisdiction Rejection Act of 2003 - Declares that it is the policy of the United States to reject any foreign government's claim of universal jurisdiction and to refuse to assist any such government pursuing an investigation or prosecution under a universal jurisdiction act. Defines "universal jurisdiction act" as a statute of a foreign country that authorizes the investigation, prosecution, and punishment of genocide and other crimes that were not committed by or against citizens of such country, did not occur on the territory of such country, and are otherwise prosecutable by tribunals established by the United Nations Security Council.

Prohibits Federal, State and local government agencies, including any courts, from providing assistance to any investigation or prosecution by a foreign government under a universal jurisdiction act. Directs the Federal Government to exercise its rights under mutual legal assistance treaties to deny assistance to any investigation or prosecution under a universal jurisdiction act. Prohibits foreign agents from pursuing any investigation or prosecution under a universal jurisdiction act in the United States.

Directs the President to ensure implementation of procedures to prevent the transfer directly or indirectly of classified national security information to foreign governments that is relevant to any investigation or prosecution under a universal jurisdiction act. Allows the President to waive certain prohibitions under this Act.

Authorizes the President to use all means, including legal assistance, but not financial incentives, to secure the release of U.S. citizens and citizens of allies of the United States who are being detained or imprisoned by an investigation or prosecution under a universal jurisdiction act.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2050: Universal Jurisdiction Rejection Act of 2003. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2050/
MLA
"H.R. 2050: Universal Jurisdiction Rejection Act of 2003." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2050/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2050, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2050/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2050: Universal Jurisdiction Rejection Act of 2003](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2050/)
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