Canada: Genocide declaration defeated by Parliament

Friday, July 1, 2016

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) - The House of Commons in Canada recently voted against a motion declaring that the atrocities committed by the Islamic State against religious minorities in Syria and Iraq were actually acts of genocide.

According to Barnabas Aid, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the U.N. would be officially requested to decide whether or not the Islamic terrorist group's actions constituted genocide. The motion was then tabled by opposition leader Rona Ambrose, who said Trudeau's fellow Liberals had tarnished the reputation of Canada as a guardian of human rights.

The full text of the motion was:

"That the House agree that ISIS is responsible for: (a) crimes against humanity aimed at groups such as Christians, Yezidis, and Shia Muslims, as well as other religious and ethnic minorities in Syria and Iraq; (b) utilizing rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war and enslaving women and girls; and (c) targeting gays and lesbians who have been tortured and murdered; and, as a consequence, that the House strongly condemn these atrocities and declare that these crimes constitute genocide."

As an alternative, Barnabas Aid has its own petition recognizing the genocide of Christians and other minorities by IS. The deadline for the petition is Aug. 31.