Expressing the sense of the Congress condemning the gross violations of international law amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Government of Syria, its allies, and other parties to the conflict in Syria, and asking the President to direct his Ambassador at the United Nations to promote the establishment of a war crimes tribunal where these crimes could be addressed.

Bill: 114-hconres-121
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2016-03-01 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Evidence and witnesses
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
International law and treaties
Middle East
Syria
United Nations
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: 
Condemns the use of unlawful violence against civilian populations by the government of Syria, its allies, and other parties to the conflict, and urges the United States and its partners to work toward the cessation of such attacks. 
 
Urges the Administration to establish additional mechanisms for the protection of civilians and to ensure access to humanitarian aid for vulnerable populations. 
 
Urges the United States to support efforts to collect and analyze documentation related to ongoing violations of human rights in Syria that can be used to support future prosecutions for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the government of Syria, its allies, and other parties to the conflict.
 
Urges: (1) the President to direct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to promote the establishment of a Syrian war crimes tribunal; and (2) other nations to apprehend and deliver into tribunal custody any persons indicted for war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide in Syria.

action_date: 2016-03-14
text: 
Condemns the use of unlawful violence against civilian populations by the government of Syria, its allies, and other parties to the conflict, and urges the United States and its partners to work toward the cessation of such attacks. 
 
Urges the Administration to establish additional mechanisms for the protection of civilians and to ensure access to humanitarian aid for vulnerable populations. 
 
Urges the United States to support efforts to collect and analyze documentation related to ongoing violations of human rights in Syria that can be used to support future prosecutions for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the government of Syria, its allies, and other parties to the conflict.
 
Urges: (1) the President to direct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to promote the establishment of a Syrian war crimes tribunal; and (2) other nations to apprehend and deliver into tribunal custody any persons indicted for war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide in Syria.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-15
text: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 392 - 3 (Roll no. 113). (text: CR H1312)
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 392 - 3 (Roll no. 113).(text: CR H1312)
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1326-1327)
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 121.
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1312-1314)
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
action_date: 2016-03-02
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-03-02
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House