U.S. lawmakers file bills to help Iraqi, Syrian Christians

As the world watches an international refugee crisis driven by conflict in the Middle East and ISIS persecution, a group of U.S. lawmakers is trying to pass legislation to help the affected minorities.

Rep. Dave Trott, R-Mich., introduced House Resolution 440 on Sept. 24, “calling for urgent international action on behalf of Iraqi and Syrian civilians,” particularly in hard-hit regions of Iraq’s Nineveh Plain and in the Syrian cities of Khabor, Kobane, and Aleppo. The bill, introduced four months after Iraqi Christians pleaded with House lawmakers to do more to stop the “genocide” there, has bipartisan support and seven cosponsors.

“The goal of my resolution is to require the Obama administration and the United Nations to work closer together in an attempt to create a cohesive plan to deliver humanitarian aid more effectively and efficiently, while also requiring the nations in the Middle East to be held more accountable for the security of their own citizens,” Trott said.

In addition to calling for a coordinated humanitarian effort, the bill calls on the U.S. representative to the United Nations to document abuses against Iraqi and Syrian refugees and create a plan to provide for their basic needs, including food, water, shelter and “basic security.”

HR 440 also calls on the U.S. secretaries of state and defense to support training and arming “vetted local Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac Christian security forces.”

“The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations should be taking a leadership role in coordinating efforts with state and non-state actors to ensure that the indigenous religious minorities of the Middle East have the proper security and resources to stand against threats like ISIS and stay in their homelands,” Trott said.

Steve Oshana, executive director for A Demand for Action (ADFA), told Christian Today the Middle East’s minority communities have no way to defend themselves without training and arms. He called the bill a “very strong effort on behalf of Christians in Iraq and Syria.” ADFA is trying to raise awareness and persuade policymakers to help minorities suffering in Iraq and Syria.

International Christian Concern (ICC) also supports the legislation.

“Over the last year and a half we’ve seen the needs transition from immediate relief, like food, water, shelter, medicine, to long-term developments,” said Isaac Six, ICC’s advocacy director. “The biggest needs we’re seeing right now are building employment, providing education, and rebuilding the areas that are being reclaimed from ISIS.”

He called HR 440 “one important part of what needs to be done.”

Six also hopes lawmakers will pass House Concurrent Resolution 75, introduced by Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., on Sept. 9. That bill would formally designate ISIS actions as “genocide,” “war crimes,” and “crimes against humanity.”

Both bills have been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.