By US Representative Frank Wolf –
While speaking to the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Pope Francis called for the international community to address “the painful situation of the Middle East, North Africa and other African countries,” where “Christians, together with other cultural or ethnic groups, and even members of the majority religion … have been forced to witness the destruction of their places of worship, their cultural and religious heritage, their houses and property and have faced either fleeing or of paying for their adhesion to good and to peace by their own lives, or by enslavement.”
Pope Francis’ appeal to the international community as a whole is both urgent and necessary. A Congressional Research Service report from August indicates that, so far, the international campaign against ISIS is suffering “from a lack of coherence” that is hampering its efforts. The report states that because coalition members often work with cross-purposes and without cooperating, leading coalition nations might “advance their goals and objectives in ways that might contradict each other.”
Pope Francis recognized the problems inherent with not presenting a united front, telling the General Assembly, “hard evidence is not lacking of the negative effects of military and political interventions which are not coordinated between members of the international communities.” Seeing as there is no end in sight to ISIS’ ongoing genocide, both the Pope and the report have a point. The crisis has now spilled into Syria, causing a massive outpouring of refugees fleeing violence, enslavement and bloodshed.
Back in July, I sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, urging him to acknowledge the ongoing atrocities committed by the Islamic State as genocide. In March, a report from the U.N. High Commissioner on Human Rights urged the Security Council to “remain seized of and to address in the strongest terms, information that points to genocide.” Sadly, months have ticked by with no such acknowledgement or action.
In his remarks, His Holiness said, “These realities should serve as a grave summons to an examination of conscience on the part of those charged with the conduct of international affairs.”
Perhaps the world is starting to listen. After President Obama met with Pope Francis last week, the White House announced a list of initiatives to help those suffering in the Middle East, while over the weekend the Iraqi military announced new collaborative efforts with regional forces to combat ISIS. Then on Monday as the Pope wrapped up his U.S. tour in Philadelphia, the President announced at the U.N. that a coalition of more than 50 countries would join together in strengthening peacekeeping efforts and forces.
It is my sincerest hope that this coalition will quickly, cohesively, and effectively bring an end to the persecution and genocide that has plagued the Middle East for far too long. I wholeheartedly agree with the Pope. Those with the capability to stop the slaughter of the innocent but have not done so must thoroughly examine their consciences in light of the moral and strategic need to prevent and stop atrocities where they occur.
Frank R. Wolf, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Wilberforce
Action Items:
1. Learn more about genocide and what you can do by visiting our genocide page and share it on social media with friends, family and colleagues.
2. Encourage your place of worship and other organizations to which you belong to write to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power, urging them to acknowledge and address the crimes committed by ISIS as genocide.
United States Ambassador Samantha Power
United States Mission to the United Nations
799 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
United Nations Headquarters
1st Ave. and 46th Street
New York, NY 10017
3. Pray for freedom, safety and justice for ISIS’ victims
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