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.

Bill: 113-hres-683
Sponsor: Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-51]
Introduced: 2014-07-24 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Human rights
Iraq
Middle East
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2014-07-24
text: 
Reaffirms the commitments of the House of Representatives to promoting and protecting religious freedom around the world and providing relief to minority groups facing persecution.
 
 Calls on the Department of State to work with the Kurdistan Regional Government, the Iraqi central government, neighboring countries, the diaspora community in the United States, the United Nations (U.N.) High Commissioner for Refugees, and other key stakeholders to help secure safe havens for those claiming amnesty in Iraq.
 
 Requests the addition of a Special Representative for Religious Minorities to be included in Prime Minister al-Maliki's newly reconstructed government.

action_date: 2014-08-01
text: 
Condemns the religious bigotry, property destruction, and violent attacks on and intimidation of innocent Iraqi civilians by armed extremists.
 
Calls on the Department of State to work with the Kurdistan Regional government, the Iraqi government, neighboring countries, the diaspora community in the United States, the United Nations (U.N.) High Commissioner for Refugees, and other key stakeholders to help secure safe havens for those claiming amnesty in Iraq. 
 
Calls on the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to document human rights abuses against Iraqi civilians and develop a plan to facilitate safe humanitarian access to potable water, health care, fuel, electricity, and basic security for the most vulnerable civilian populations. 
 
Calls upon the government of Iraq to protect the safety and constitutional rights of all Iraqi citizens. 
 
Requests the addition of a Special Representative for Religious Minorities to be included in Prime Minister al-Maliki's newly reconstructed government.
 
Reaffirms the Senate's commitments to promoting and protecting religious freedom around the world and providing relief to minority groups facing persecution.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-08-01
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2014-08-01
text: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2014-08-01
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2014-08-01
text: Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H7236-7237; text of measure as introduced: CR H7236-7237)
action_date: 2014-08-01
text: Mr. Royce asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
action_date: 2014-08-01
text: Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.
action_date: 2014-08-01
text: Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.
action_date: 2014-07-30
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2014-07-30
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2014-07-24
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2014-07-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2014-07-24
text: Introduced in House