The Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, has specifically targeted Christians living in Iraq, making the practice of Christianity punishable by death. Christianity has been in Iraq for 2,000 years, however, those who refuse to convert to Islam are now being slaughtered by ISIS; men, women, and children have all been beheaded. According to The Huffington Post, no Christians are left in the city of Mosul (Read more).
According to Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), "After seizing Iraq’s second largest city of Mosul, the Islamic State spray-painted blood red symbols of the Arabic letter 'n' on Christian property in the city. 'N' is short for 'Nazarene,' a derogatory term for Christians used by some in the region. The Islamic State then issued an ultimatum to all Christians in Mosul: 'leave, convert to Islam, or die by the sword.' Most fled with nothing but the clothes on their backs."
This current violence follows a repeated pattern of persecution against Christians in Iraq, stretching back to when Saddam Hussein was overthrown. Sixty Christian churches were bombed in 2004, while several members of the clergy were killed for not converting to Islam. In 2003, there were 1 million Christians in Iraq; today there are 300,000. Currently, 120,000 Iraqi Christians have fled to Iraqi Kurdistan to avoid massacre, according to Daniel Williams, a former senior researcher at Human Rights Watch and Washington Post correspondent. (Read more).
According to Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA), "There is no doubt about it – religious cleansing is continuing to occur in Iraq. Churches have been seized and some turned into mosques. Every trace of Christianity is being eradicated. The Christians' property has been seized, looted and given to others."
In a statement, President Obama condemned the violence and called for action:
- "As ISIL has marched across Iraq, it has waged a ruthless campaign against innocent Iraqis. And these terrorists have been especially barbaric towards religious minorities, including Christian and Yezidis, a small and ancient religious sect. Countless Iraqis have been displaced. And chilling reports describe ISIL militants rounding up families, conducting mass executions, and enslaving Yezidi women. When we face a situation like we do on that mountain — with innocent people facing the prospect of violence on a horrific scale, when we have a mandate to help — in this case, a request from the Iraqi government — and when we have the unique capabilities to help avert a massacre, then I believe the United States of America cannot turn a blind eye. We can act, carefully and responsibly, to prevent a potential act of genocide. That’s what we’re doing on that mountain. I’ve, therefore, authorized targeted airstrikes, if necessary, to help forces in Iraq as they fight to break the siege of Mount Sinjar and protect the civilians trapped there."
Weigh in on Bills Relating to Religious Freedom Overseas
- HRes 683: House Resolution regarding religious minorities – (And SRes 530 in the Senate) Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the current situation in Iraq and the urgent need to protect religious minorities from persecution from the Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL) as it expands its control over areas in northwestern Iraq. According to the Senate version's sponsor, Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), "We cannot sit idly by as Christians in Iraq suffer. Recently, President Obama declared on Religious Freedom Day that religious liberty 'is not just an American right; it is a universal human right to be protected here at home and across the globe.' We must put action behind those words." –This resolution passed the House on Aug. 1 , and the Senate on Sept. 18–
- HCRes 110: Resolution calling for international intervention on behalf of Iraqi civilians –Bipartisan– Calling for urgent international intervention on behalf of Iraqi civilians facing a dire humanitarian crisis and severe persecution in the Nineveh Plain region of Iraq. According to the bill sponsor, "Mosul is Iraq’s second largest city. For sixteen hundred years, Mosul has been a center of Christian life. Today, not a single Christian remains in the city. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, commonly called ISIS, is advancing a campaign of ruthless and systematic persecution against ethnic and religious minorities in the territory it now rules. We are witnessing an ongoing crime against humanity. This resolution calls for UN Security Council consideration of an urgent international humanitarian intervention to speed assistance to communities facing ferocious ethnic and religious cleansing. The world cannot simply watch as the region’s refugee crisis worsens every day. We must act for the principles of basic human rights and religious freedom that our international endeavors seek to champion."
- S 2675: Supporting religious freedom in foreign countries – According to the bill sponsor, "By amending the International Religious Freedom Act, this legislation encourages the administration to take a firmer stance on religious freedom violators and codifies America’s commitment to advancing religious freedom as a key objective of US foreign policy."
- HRes 106: Resolution calling for the protection of religious minority rights (And SRes 69 in the Senate) Calling for the protection of religious minority rights and freedoms in the Arab world. According to the bill sponsor, "The freedom to worship by minority religious communities has repeatedly come under deadly attack in recent months. I can hardly pick up a newspaper without reading about a religious group being attacked or faith leader being imprisoned…Religious minorities must be protected from violence and guaranteed the freedom to practice their religion."
- HR 5415: Authorization for Use of Military Force against International Terrorism Act — Bipartisan — "Authorizing the use of military force against international terrorist groups, including the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and al Qaeda and its affiliates, like al Nusra, Ansar al Sharia, al Shabaab and Boko Haram, while encouraging close coordination with NATO and regional allies on any action." According to Congressman Wolf, "the motive behind the bill is to end any ambiguity about the President's authority — or the Congress' support — for a US-led international coalition to disrupt and eliminate ISIS and al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist groups from committing genocide."
- HR 301: To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia –Bipartisan– (And S 653 in the Senate) According to the bill sponsor, the Special Envoy would work with foreign governments to address inherently discriminatory laws. HR 301 requires the Special Envoy to give priority to programs, projects and activities for Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. –Passed the House on Sept. 18; Senate version enacted into law on Aug. 8–
- HR 652: To limit assistance to countries that engage in certain discriminatory religious, educational, or freedom of movement practices. –To prohibit assistance (other than humanitarian assistance) to a country that follows any of the following activities: (1) engages in state-sanctioned religious persecution of minority religious groups as evidenced by anti-blasphemy laws or penalties applied to minority religious groups for sharing their faith; (2) prevents equal access to education on the basis of gender, race, or ethnicity; or (3) does not accept the return of its nationals who have been removed from another country following a removal proceeding. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition on a case-by-case basis if in U.S. national security interests to do so.
- S 2711: US Commission on International Religious Freedom Reform and Reauthorization Act – To reauthorize the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.
