IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 223 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the ongoing 

conflict in Syria and the urgent need for the Syrian Opposition Coalition 

and local coordinating committees in Syria to assume the responsibilities 

of governance including the establishment of institutions of transitional 

justice, and to guarantee the rights of all Syria’s people, regardless 

of ethnic or religious affiliation. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 17, 2013 

Mr. MORAN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the ongoing conflict in Syria and the urgent 

need for the Syrian Opposition Coalition and local coordinating committees in Syria to assume the responsibilities 

of governance including the establishment of institutions 

of transitional justice, and to guarantee the rights of 

all Syria’s people, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation. 

Whereas the civil war in Syria, which exploded when the dictatorial regime of Bashar al Assad violently suppressed 

peaceful demonstrations by Syria’s citizens, has killed 

more than 70,000 Syrians, created as many as 4,000,000 

internally displaced, and driven some 1,200,000 to seek 

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•HRES 223 IH 

refuge in neighboring countries, mobilizing an international response encompassing pledges of assistance totaling over $1,000,000,000; 

Whereas the 40-year history of undemocratic, repressive leadership under the regime of Bashar al Assad and his father Hafez al Assad has eroded civil society, debilitated 

the capacity for self government, and undermined confidence in the rule of law in Syria; 

Whereas the Syrian opposition, though lacking comprehensive 

and coordinated assistance from the international community, and suffering constant attacks by the Assad regime, has succeeded in establishing effective self-government in significant sections of the country and is developing a capacity to exercise responsible authority and deliver essential services; 

Whereas the United States Government recognizes the Syrian 

Opposition Coalition as the legitimate representative of 

the Syrian people and is assisting the Council and its affiliated local coordinating bodies to establish structures of 

governance, including mechanisms for the provision of security and justice; 

Whereas the Syrian population is about 70 percent Sunni and 

also includes large minorities of Alawites and Christians 

(including Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Armenian 

Apostolic, and Eastern Rite Catholics), as well as smaller 

numbers of Shia (including Ismailis), Druze, Ezidi, 

Mandaean, and Jewish communities with longstanding 

ancient and indigenous ties to the area; 

Whereas according to the February 5, 2013, Report of the 

Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the 

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Syrian Arab Republic, the conflict is becoming increasingly sectarian; 

Whereas the Syrian Government has sought to exacerbate 

ethnic and religious tensions by employing paramilitary 

forces, known as shabiha, to terrorize communities suspected of sympathizing with the opposition, and has thus 

sown the seeds of unbridled sectarian conflict; 

Whereas elements of the opposition have reportedly engaged 

in isolated instances of attacks on religious shrines in 

areas of mixed ethnicity, which if they become more widespread jeopardize a transition to a post-conflict, democratic, and pluralistic Syria; and 

Whereas members of the international community, notably 

Iran, Russia, and China, have undermined international 

consensus for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, stymied efforts to halt the Syrian Government’s atrocities, 

maintained military support for Bashar al Assad’s onslaught against civilians, or blocked action at the United 

Nations Security Council: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) calls on the Syrian Opposition Coalition to 

3 publicly outline a detailed vision of inclusion for all 

4 of Syria’s people, including a guarantee of full citi5 zenship and equality under the law; 

6 (2) calls on the Obama Administration, in close 

7 cooperation with international and regional partners, 

8 to continue to support the Syrian Opposition Coali9 tion as it develops mechanisms of transitional justice 

10 guaranteeing the rights of all citizens under the law, 

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1 and to support the Syrian Opposition Coalition as it 

2 forms an inclusive and democratic provisional gov3 ernment; and 

4 (3) urges all parties in the conflict to respect 

5 international humanitarian law, protect minorities, 

6 preserve minority cultural and religious sites, and 

7 hold accountable those who violate these norms. 

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