US finally labels ISIS atrocities as 'genocide' against Christians and minorities in Middle East
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has finally declared that ISIS is committing genocide against Christians in the Middle East.
On Thursday, John Kerry made the genocide declaration after being pressured by various rights groups and lawmakers. The U.S. Secretary of State released a statement saying ISIS is committing genocide against Christians and other minority groups in the Middle East, according to Fox News.
"In my judgment, Daeshis responsible for genocide against groups in territory under its control, including Yazidis, Christians and Shia Muslims," Kerry said on Thursday.
In addition, Kerry encouraged others to join the efforts to hold ISIS accountable for the violent acts. He also said an independent investigation and a tribunal should be launched as part of those efforts.
The statement comes in the wake of a House resolution condemning the acts committed by the militant group as genocide. Kerry's decision is a surprising move, considering that just a day before, State Department spokesperson Mark Toner announced that Kerry would not decide on the matter before the Mar. 17 deadline for the genocide declaration.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-California) applauded Kerry's decision, saying it was the right move for the U.S. Secretary of State. He also called on President Barack Obama to step up actions to ultimately destroy the terrorist group, blasting the government's "paralysis" in fighting ISIS, the report relays.
The Knights of Columbus and In Defense of Christians earlier released a report listing down more than 1,100 Christians in Iraq allegedly killed by the radical Islamist group since 2003. The report also narrates how some of the people were kidnapped, raped, driven away from their homes, and sold as slaves.
The Obama administration has been debating on whether the atrocities really constitute genocide. Now that John Kerry has made the genocide declaration, advocates say the U.S. ought to take additional action against ISIS.