Genocide Victims In Iraq, Syria To Receive Aid From ISIS Terror

PALO ALTO, CA -- U.S. Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, has co-sponsored legislation with New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith to provide emergency relief to victims of the ISIS genocide in Iraq and Syria. It has passed the House of Representatives and will now be sent to U.S. President Donald Trump for his signature.

H.R. 390, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act, requires the U.S. government to direct humanitarian aid to entities assisting displaced religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria targeted for genocide by ISIS. The legislation also includes important provisions that will help the international community document the crimes against humanity that have been committed by ISIS, hold the perpetrators accountable and prevent another genocide from occurring.

“Tens of thousands of religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria were targeted for genocide by ISIS between 2014 and 2017,” Rep. Eshoo said. “As survivors return to their homes and begin rebuilding their communities, the United States government must make it a priority to help families in need of assistance now, while ensuring the perpetrators of these crimes against humanity are held accountable.

H.R. 390 is supported by various groups, including the Knights of Columbus, Family Research Council, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (Southern Baptist Convention), In Defense of Christians, 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative, ADF International, Baylor University, Commission for International Justice and Accountability, Aid the Church in Need USA, Open Doors, Chaldean Assyrian Syriac Business Alliance, A Demand for Action, Yezidi Human Rights Organization International, Religious Freedom Institute, Center for Religious Freedom (Hudson Institute), Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Syrian Accountability Project, Genocide Watch, Civitas Maxima, Iraq Foundation, EPIC, Community of Sant’Egidio and International Christian Concern.

--Image courtesy of Rep. Anna Eshoo's Washington, D.C. office