[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 223 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 223

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the 
ongoing conflict in Syria and the urgent need for the Syrian Opposition 
  Coalition and local coordinating committees in Syria to assume the 
     responsibilities of governance including the establishment of 
 institutions of transitional justice, and to guarantee the rights of 
   all Syria's people, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 17, 2013

Mr. Moran submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the 
ongoing conflict in Syria and the urgent need for the Syrian Opposition 
  Coalition and local coordinating committees in Syria to assume the 
     responsibilities of governance including the establishment of 
 institutions of transitional justice, and to guarantee the rights of 
   all Syria's people, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation.

Whereas the civil war in Syria, which exploded when the dictatorial regime of 
        Bashar al Assad violently suppressed peaceful demonstrations by Syria's 
        citizens, has killed more than 70,000 Syrians, created as many as 
        4,000,000 internally displaced, and driven some 1,200,000 to seek refuge 
        in neighboring countries, mobilizing an international response 
        encompassing pledges of assistance totaling over $1,000,000,000;
Whereas the 40-year history of undemocratic, repressive leadership under the 
        regime of Bashar al Assad and his father Hafez al Assad has eroded civil 
        society, debilitated the capacity for self government, and undermined 
        confidence in the rule of law in Syria;
Whereas the Syrian opposition, though lacking comprehensive and coordinated 
        assistance from the international community, and suffering constant 
        attacks by the Assad regime, has succeeded in establishing effective 
        self-government in significant sections of the country and is developing 
        a capacity to exercise responsible authority and deliver essential 
        services;
Whereas the United States Government recognizes the Syrian Opposition Coalition 
        as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people and is assisting 
        the Council and its affiliated local coordinating bodies to establish 
        structures of governance, including mechanisms for the provision of 
        security and justice;
Whereas the Syrian population is about 70 percent Sunni and also includes large 
        minorities of Alawites and Christians (including Greek Orthodox, Syriac 
        Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Eastern Rite Catholics), as well as 
        smaller numbers of Shia (including Ismailis), Druze, Ezidi, Mandaean, 
        and Jewish communities with longstanding ancient and indigenous ties to 
        the area;
Whereas according to the February 5, 2013, Report of the Independent 
        International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, the 
        conflict is becoming increasingly sectarian;
Whereas the Syrian Government has sought to exacerbate ethnic and religious 
        tensions by employing paramilitary forces, known as shabiha, to 
        terrorize communities suspected of sympathizing with the opposition, and 
        has thus sown the seeds of unbridled sectarian conflict;
Whereas elements of the opposition have reportedly engaged in isolated instances 
        of attacks on religious shrines in areas of mixed ethnicity, which if 
        they become more widespread jeopardize a transition to a post-conflict, 
        democratic, and pluralistic Syria; and
Whereas members of the international community, notably Iran, Russia, and China, 
        have undermined international consensus for a peaceful resolution of the 
        conflict, stymied efforts to halt the Syrian Government's atrocities, 
        maintained military support for Bashar al Assad's onslaught against 
        civilians, or blocked action at the United Nations Security Council: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) calls on the Syrian Opposition Coalition to publicly 
        outline a detailed vision of inclusion for all of Syria's 
        people, including a guarantee of full citizenship and equality 
        under the law;
            (2) calls on the Obama Administration, in close cooperation 
        with international and regional partners, to continue to 
        support the Syrian Opposition Coalition as it develops 
        mechanisms of transitional justice guaranteeing the rights of 
        all citizens under the law, and to support the Syrian 
        Opposition Coalition as it forms an inclusive and democratic 
        provisional government; and
            (3) urges all parties in the conflict to respect 
        international humanitarian law, protect minorities, preserve 
        minority cultural and religious sites, and hold accountable 
        those who violate these norms.
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