HomeNewsKnights of Columbus CEO Tells Congress US Can Avert Extinction of Christians in Iraq, Syria By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor Saturday, May 28, 2016Get Our Latest News for FREESubscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know.SubscribeThe United States can avert this crisis, Anderson, who heads the Catholic fraternal organization, told the lawmakers at the hearing, titled, "The ISIS Genocide Declaration: What Next?" He urged them to act according to six principles."Increase humanitarian aid and provide oversight to ensure it gets to those targeted for genocide. Support the long-term survival of indigenous religious and ethnic communities by supporting their right to remain in their country. Punish the perpetrators of genocide and crimes against humanity. Assist the victims of genocide to attain refugee status. Prepare now for foreseeable human rights challenges as ISIS-controlled territory is liberated and civilians flee the violence. Condition humanitarian and military assistance to governments in the region on their meaningful commitment to human rights."Anderson said Christian leaders in Iraq and Syria are receiving help only from private charities, and no money from the U.S. Government or the United Nations to respond to the crisis of Internally Displaced Persons and urban refugees."If assistance from outside Church affiliated agencies ends in Erbil [Iraq], Christians, they will face a catastrophic humanitarian tragedy within 30 days," he warned, emphasizing that the assistance of governments and international organizations is necessary.Apart from Anderson, Sarhang Hamasseed of the U.S. Institute of Peace; Johnny Oram, executive director of the Chaldean Assyrian Business Alliance; and David Crane of Syracuse University College of Law, also testified at the hearing.After Kerry's acknowledgement of the genocide, Anderson commended the U.S. State Department for its courage. "By joining its voice to that of the House of Representatives, the American people, and the international community, the United States today makes clear to ISIS that its attempt to stamp out religious minorities must cease," he said at the time."The United States and the world are united on this, and simply will not look the other way," Anderson added.The American Center for Law and Justice has also called on the U.S. to take several steps and advance the case at the U.N."1) Pressing the United Nations to declare that the ongoing atrocities committed by the Islamic State and associate groups constitute genocide; 2) communicating with all appropriate offices of the United Nations to that end; and 3) doing everything in your power to mobilize the international community to take swift and decisive action," the ACLJ said in a letter to Kerry.Earlier in May, the U.N. Secretary-General's Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, Jan Kubis, submitted a briefing to the Security Council condemning "in the strongest possible terms the continued killings, kidnapping, rape and torture of Iraqis by ISIL, which may constitute crimes against humanity, war crimes and even genocide."Was this article helpful?Yes0 VoteNoHelp keep The Christian Post free for everyone.By making a recurring donation or a one-time donation of any amount, you're helping to keep CP's articles free and accessible for everyone.$25/month$50/quarter$100/yearOne-timeNot this timeWe’re sorry to hear that.Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles. Return to homepage. ISIS Executes Failed Leaders by Feeding Them to Ferocious Dogs, Kurdish Leader SaysISIS Suicide Bombs Kill 120; Rescue Workers Step Through 'Puddles of Blood' to Save VictimsThis New Religion Is Causing an Existential Crisis at American Colleges and Universities, NYU Prof SaysSending Weapons to 'Christian Militias' in ISIS War in Iraq Is 'Bad Idea,' Chaldean Patriarch WarnsISIS' Genocide Against Christians Escalates in Iraq and Syria as Demands for UN Action GrowsSponsoredMost PopularMatt Gaetz withdraws from consideration to be Trump’s attorney generalTrans lawmaker Sarah McBride won't use women's bathrooms on Capitol HillSPLC doxxes writers for Babylon Bee's sister site; Elon Musk calls group 'criminal organization'Christian leaders, politicians react to ICC's arrest warrant for Israel PM NetanyahuThere is a better way to lose weight than OzempicMore ArticlesMigrant children trafficked, sent to strip club; Republicans press Xavier Becerra for answersBiden awards Ex-Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards highest civilian honorChristian leaders, politicians react to ICC's arrest warrant for Israel PM NetanyahuTrans lawmaker Sarah McBride won't use women's bathrooms on Capitol HillMatt Gaetz withdraws from consideration to be Trump’s attorney general