Eshoo Statement on State Department Genocide Designation

March 17th, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Representative Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.) released the following statement after Secretary of State John Kerry determined the persecution of Christians, Yezidis, and Shiite Muslims in Iraq and Syria is genocide.

“Today, the United States has taken decisive and historic action by asserting that the persecution of Christians, Yezidis, and Shiite Muslims by ISIS is genocide.”

“This determination will elevate the incredible suffering of so many in Iraq and Syria and unite the entire international community to end this genocide, a crime which strikes people, cultures, societies and civilization itself.”

Representatives Eshoo and Fortenberry (R-Neb.) co-chair the House Religious Minorities in the Middle East Caucus and together in September 2015 introduced H. Con. Res. 75 which defines the persecution of Christians, Yezidis, and other ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria as genocide. The resolution has 213 bipartisan cosponsors and passed the House by a vote of 393 to 0 on March 14, 2016.

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