[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 26 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 26


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 19, 2003

      Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

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                         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;
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 
        International 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 disproportionately 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 religious 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 General of the Council of 
        Europe, the Australian Government, 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 condemned stoning and 
        called for clemency for individuals sentenced to stoning; and
Whereas, in 2002 there were acquittals or dismissals of sentences to death by 
        stoning: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) condemns the practice of execution by stoning, and 
        calls upon the international community to recognize this 
        practice as a gross violation of human rights;
            (2) requests that the President formally communicate 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 Secretary of 
        State to work with the international community toward the 
        repeal of stoning laws and adherence to international standards 
        of human rights.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 18, 2003.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.