IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 26
Condemning the punishment of execution by stoning as a gross violation 
of human rights, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 29, 2003
Ms. MCCOLLUM (for herself, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. ALLEN, Ms. BERKLEY, 
Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Mr. CAPUANO, Ms. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. CROW-
LEY, Mr. DEFAZIO, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. DICKS, Mr. DOGGETT, Mr. 
ETHERIDGE, Mr. EVANS, Mr. GILCHREST, Ms. NORTON, Ms. KAPTUR, 
Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. LANTOS, 
Ms. LEE, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. MEEHAN, 
Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. OLVER, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. 
RAHALL, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California, 
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. TIERNEY, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Ms. WAT-
SON, Mr. WAXMAN, and Mr. WEINER) submitted the following concurrent 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Rela-
tions 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Condemning the punishment of execution by stoning as a 
gross violation of human rights, and for other purposes.
Whereas death by stoning continues to be imposed as a form 
of punishment in several countries, as documented by the 
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices of the 
United States Department of State;
•HCON 26 IH 
Whereas the brutal sentence of death by stoning is applied 
to women who have been accused of adultery, some of 
whom are coerced into prostitution, or even raped; 
Whereas execution by stoning is an exceptionally cruel form 
of punishment that violates internationally accepted 
standards of human rights, including those set forth in 
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Inter-
national Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the 
United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other 
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; 
Whereas women around the world continue to be dispropor-
tionately targeted for discriminatory, inhuman, and cruel 
punishments by governments who refuse to protect the 
rights of all their citizens equally; 
Whereas in some places stoning has also been invoked as 
punishment for ‘‘blasphemy’’, thereby suppressing reli-
gious freedom and diversity and stifling political dissent; 
Whereas, in July 2002, Amnesty International referred to 
execution by stoning as ‘‘a method specifically designed 
to increase the victim’s suffering’’; 
Whereas, in 2002, the European Union, the Secretary Gen-
eral of the Council of Europe, the Australian Govern-
ment, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New 
Zealand, the President of Mexico, the Congress of the 
Deputies of Spain, and other world leaders each con-
demned stoning and called for clemency for individuals 
sentenced to stoning; and 
Whereas, in 2002 there were acquittals or dismissals of sen-
tences to death by stoning: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress—
•HCON 26 IH 
(1) condemns the practice of execution by ston-
ing, and calls upon the international community to 
recognize this practice as a gross violation of human 
rights; 
(2) requests that the President formally com-
municate this resolution to governments imposing 
this cruel punishment and urge the suspension of 
sentences of death by stoning; and 
(3) requests that the President direct the Sec-
retary of State to work with the international com-
munity toward the repeal of stoning laws and adher-
ence to international standards of human rights.
Æ