Benjamin Gilman: “Madam Speaker, the resolution before us today, House Concurrent Resolution 137, which I introduced, along with our…”

“Madam Speaker, the resolution before us today, House Concurrent Resolution 137, which I introduced, along with our colleague the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Porter], cochairman of the Human Rights Caucus, expresses a sense of the House concerning urgent need for an international war crimes tribunal to try Saddam Hussein and members of his Iraqi regime for crimes against humanity. I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Porter] for his leadership on this important issue. The critical need for this measure is highlighted by the events taking place just as we speak. House Concurrent Resolution 137 notes that dictator Saddam Hussein has perpetrated a litany of human rights abuses against the citizens of Iraq, including arbitrary executions, torture, cruel and inhumane treatment, arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, and disappearances. Saddam Hussein has attempted to destroy the Kurdish population in Iraq through the use of chemical weapons. He has repressed Sunni tribes in western Iraq, destroyed Assyro-Chaldean churches and villages, executed Turkomen, and massacred Shiites. Saddam Hussein has also continued to commit ecocide against the ancient Marsh Arab civilization.”