House Passes Fortenberry-Led Resolution Condemning Persecution of Iraqi Christians, Religious Minorities

Statement

Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) along with colleagues Juan Vargas (D-CA) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) led passage of a bipartisan resolution (H. Res. 683) late last week condemning the severe persecution that Christians and other ethnic and religious minority communities are suffering in Iraq. The resolution also calls for an international humanitarian intervention to aid these innocent civilian groups.

"The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, commonly called ISIS, is waging an ongoing genocide against Christians, Yezidis, and other religious minorities in Iraq," Fortenberry said. "All Christians have been expelled from Mosul, the second largest city in the country. These crimes against humanity have inspired worldwide outrage and demand a swift international humanitarian response."

"The House of Representatives has united to speak with one voice for Iraq's desperate refugees and suffering religious communities," Fortenberry said. "We must stand in solidarity with members of ancient faith traditions that face annihilation in their ancestral homelands."

A follow-up letter urging swift action in the Ninevah Plain region was sent to President Obama by Fortenberry, Eshoo, and Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA).

Fortenberry serves on the House Appropriations Committee and is a member of the House Caucus on Religious Minorities in the Middle East.

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