Christians and other genocide survivors across Iraq and Syria will receive long needed relief if bipartisan legislation, introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) Chairman of a House panel on Global Human rights, becomes law when Congress returns in November. Without compromising security screening to protect the United States, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2016 (H.R. 5961) will give Christians, Yazidis and members of other persecuted religious and ethnic groups a new route into the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

     “The Genocide Relief and Accountability Act would enable victims of genocide—Christians and other survivors of the murderous crimes perpetrated by ISIS—to receive an overseas interview and apply for refugee status, but would not guarantee acceptance and admission,” said Smith, who has chaired seven hearings focusing on genocide and other atrocities committed in Iraq and Syria. He said “These genocide survivors would have to clear the same important security screening as they would under U.S. law.” The refugees would fall under the provisions of the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act (H.R. 4038), which Smith voted for in November of 2015 and is currently pending in the Senate.

     H.R. 5961 draws from existing law by requiring the administration to add a Priority Two, or “P-2,” designation for Christians, Yazidis, and other genocide survivors from other persecuted religious and ethnic groups. There are currently 10 existing P-2 groups in the refugee program. H.R. 5961 will also ensure the risk of being in a persecuted group is recognized and properly considered.

     All of the former U.S. Ambassadors-at-Large for War Crimes support the legislation: David Scheffer (1997-2001), Pierre-Richard Prosper (2001-2005), Clint Williamson (2006-2009), and Stephen Rapp (2009-2015). In March, the House overwhelmingly passed H. Con. Res. 121, legislation from Smith that calls for the formation of an ad hoc tribunal for perpetrators in the Syrian conflict.

     In addition to the above, the bill will direct the U.S. Administration to:

· Support entities that are investigating, documenting, and prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Iraq and Syria;

· Close gaps in U.S. law so that the American justice system can prosecute foreign perpetrators present in the U.S., as well as any Americans who commit such crimes;

· Encourage foreign countries to add identifying information about suspected perpetrators of such crimes in their security databases and security screening;

· Identify warning signs of deadly violence against genocide survivors and other vulnerable religious and ethnic communities in Iraq or Syria;

· Assess and address the humanitarian vulnerabilities, needs, and triggers that might force survivors to flee their homes;

· Support entities that are effectively serving genocide survivors in-country, including faith-based entities.

     This legislation has received the support of numerous prominent groups including Knights of Columbus, In Defense of Christians, Yazidi Human Rights Organization International, Shia Rights Watch, Commission for International Justice and Accountability, Religious Freedom Institute, Simon Wiesenthal Center and others.

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