The US House of Representatives on Monday voted on a measure to create an international tribunal to try those associated with atrocities including the Assad regime, ISIS and related groups. The measure passed in a vote of 392 to 3.
The non-binding resolution accused Bashar Assad and his main allies, Russia and Iran, of war crimes. The resolution called on President Barack Obama to support the formation by the United Nations of a war crimes tribunal to investigate and prosecute those responsible.
“Accountability that is aggressive, predictable, transparent and applicable to perpetrators of genocide and crimes against humanity on all sides of the divide must be pursued now,” said Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), who sponsored the resolution.
“The Obama administration must seek accountability for Bashar Assad’s heinous war crimes against his own people,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce said in a statement after the vote. “An international tribunal, like those established following the conflicts in Yugoslavia and Rwanda, is critical to ensuring peace and justice.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)
