| Congressman Gary Peters introduces Resolution supporting Iraqi Refugees |
| Tuesday, 08 December 2009 11:16 |
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Resolution Calls for Investigation of Human Rights Violations and Protection for Iraqis Displaced and Persecuted in the Wake of War Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gary Peters today introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to provide support for Iraqi refugees and religious minorities displaced and persecuted in the aftermath of the Iraq war and subsequent ethnic and sectarian violence. Rep. Peters’ resolution (H. Res 944) seeks an investigation into human rights violations, and calls for an end to the abuse of Iraqi religious minorities. It also calls on the United States and United Nations to ask the Iraqi government to protect religious minorities by encouraging free and fair elections, training Iraqi security forces and providing safe places to worship. Finally, the resolution calls for the U.S. to work with the Iraqi government to ensure the physical and economic safety of those wishing to return to Iraq. In his official record statement on H. Res. 944, Congressman Peters said, “Many who have escaped Iraq to seek refuge in neighboring countries are forced to live in poverty, unable to legally work and lacking sufficient support from their host government. Those who remain in Iraq live a life of constant fear…. Iraqi religious minorities lack the resources and sturdy community foundation necessary to defend themselves, and thus remain underrepresented politically, legally, and economically…. It is no longer possible to stand by and watch as millions of religious minorities are subjected to torture, abuse, and discrimination.” The resolution already has 40 cosponsors from both parties, including four Michigan Members: Rep. John Dingell, Rep. Sander Levin, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter and Rep. Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick. Rep. Peters’ resolution may come before the full House sometime after the first of the year. Congressman Peters is working closely on this issue with Senator Carl Levin, who has introduced a companion resolution in the Senate. Click here to view the text of H. Res. 944. Congressman Peters’ full statement and a list of the resolution’s cosponsors are below. Congressional Record Statement of Congressman Gary C. Peters on H. Res 944 Today I am introducing a resolution designed to raise awareness and express support for Iraqi religious minorities. The war in Iraq and the subsequent ethnic and sectarian violence has created a massive humanitarian crisis, and led to the displacement of millions of people. Iraqi religious minorities are particularly vulnerable, and are often specifically targeted in gruesome and random acts of violence, such as murder, rape, and abductions. Many who have escaped Iraq to seek refuge in neighboring countries are forced to live in poverty, unable to legally work and lacking sufficient support from their host government. Those who remain in Iraq live a life of constant fear. They are forced into hiding and are vulnerable to emotional and physical attacks. Iraqi religious minorities lack the resources and sturdy community foundation necessary to defend themselves, and thus remain underrepresented politically, legally, and economically. Muslims and non-Muslims alike are exposed to such attacks, but the smaller religious sects remain more vulnerable, including Chaldeans, Syriacs, Assyrians, and other Christians, Sabean Mandeans, and Yazidis. Catholic Christians have witnessed the killing of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho and the ancient Iraqi Jewish community has seen itself diminish to a population of only ten members. This resolution calls upon the combined efforts of the United States Government and United Nations to ask the Iraqi Government to protect religious minorities by encouraging free and fair elections, training Iraqi security forces and providing safe places to worship. It also seeks an investigation into human rights violations, and calls for an end to the abuse of Iraqi religious minorities. Finally, the resolution calls for United States to work with the Iraqi government to ensure the physical and economic safety of those wishing to return to Iraq. It is no longer possible to stand by and watch as millions of religious minorities are subjected to torture, abuse, and discrimination, which is why I ask my colleagues to support this important resolution.
Cosponsors of H. Res. 944: 1) Rep. Frank Wolf 21) Rep. Keith Ellison |