[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 26 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 26
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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 19, 2003
Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Condemning the punishment of execution by stoning as a gross violation
of human rights, and for other purposes.
Whereas death by stoning continues to be imposed as a form of punishment in
several countries, as documented by the Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices of the United States Department of State;
Whereas the brutal sentence of death by stoning is applied to women who have
been accused of adultery, some of whom are coerced into prostitution, or
even raped;
Whereas execution by stoning is an exceptionally cruel form of punishment that
violates internationally accepted standards of human rights, including
those set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the United
Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment;
Whereas women around the world continue to be disproportionately targeted for
discriminatory, inhuman, and cruel punishments by governments who refuse
to protect the rights of all their citizens equally;
Whereas in some places stoning has also been invoked as punishment for
``blasphemy'', thereby suppressing religious freedom and diversity and
stifling political dissent;
Whereas, in July 2002, Amnesty International referred to execution by stoning as
``a method specifically designed to increase the victim's suffering'';
Whereas, in 2002, the European Union, the Secretary General of the Council of
Europe, the Australian Government, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Trade of New Zealand, the President of Mexico, the Congress of the
Deputies of Spain, and other world leaders each condemned stoning and
called for clemency for individuals sentenced to stoning; and
Whereas, in 2002 there were acquittals or dismissals of sentences to death by
stoning: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That Congress--
(1) condemns the practice of execution by stoning, and
calls upon the international community to recognize this
practice as a gross violation of human rights;
(2) requests that the President formally communicate this
resolution to governments imposing this cruel punishment and
urge the suspension of sentences of death by stoning; and
(3) requests that the President direct the Secretary of
State to work with the international community toward the
repeal of stoning laws and adherence to international standards
of human rights.
Passed the House of Representatives March 18, 2003.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.