Global Criminal Justice Act

This bill creates an Office of Global Criminal Justice inside the U.S. State Department. The office would lead U.S. efforts to prevent and respond to mass atrocities like war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. It would advise top U.S. officials, help shape policy, work with other countries and groups to investigate abuses, support courts that try suspects, help collect evidence, and support victims and communities recovering after conflict. The office would be led by an Ambassador-at-Large, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Communities abroad facing mass violence; U.S. diplomats and agencies working on human rights; international and local courts and investigators.
• What changes: A new State Department office coordinates U.S. policy and action on atrocities, works with partners to investigate and prosecute crimes, gathers evidence, supports victims, and represents the U.S. in government-wide efforts on genocide and related crimes.
• Leadership: An Ambassador-at-Large heads the office, subject to Senate confirmation.