In the Wake of Alleged Russian War Crimes, Rep. Omar Introduces Legislation to Join International Criminal Court, Strengthen U.S. Support for International Criminal Justice

WASHINGTON -- Today, in the wake of reports of war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced a resolution calling on the United States to become a full member of the International Criminal Court. The United States is one of a few countries that has not joined the International Criminal Court (ICC), which investigates war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocides.

"Like many of us, I have recoiled in horror at reports of massacres, targeting of civilians, mass graves, and rapes by Russian forces. Vladimir Putin and anyone responsible must be held accountable. Sadly, the U.S. is not party to the International Criminal Court, the principal body responsible for investigating and prosecuting these crimes," said Rep. Omar. "Our refusal to join the court is antithetical to our commitment to human rights, accountability, and the rule of law. Now is our opportunity to lead the fight against human rights abuses and support international criminal justice."

The resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), André Carson (D-IN),Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).

Congresswoman Omar also introduced the following bills:

Bill to Codify the Office of Global Criminal Justice Act: Codifies into law the State Department's Office of Global Criminal Justice, which helps prevent and respond to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. You can read the bill text here.

This bill is cosponsored by Representatives Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), André Carson (D-IN),Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).

Bill to Repeal the Hague Invasion Act: Repeals a 2002 law that prohibits U.S. support for ICC investigations. You can read the bill text here.

This bill is cosponsored by Representatives Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), André Carson (D-IN),Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).

A refugee and survivor of war, Rep. Omar has consistently advocated for human rights protections and accountability. In 2020, she introduced the Pathway to Peace, a package of bills to put human rights at the center of our foreign policy. It includes a resolution to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child the Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act, and the Congressional Oversight of Sanctions Act, among others. Earlier this month, she helped pass the Ukraine War Crime Deterrence and Accountability Act to require the United States Department of State to collect and preserve any and all evidence of war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, and report to Congress on our support for proceedings at international bodies like the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice.

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