[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 26 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
1st Session
S. CON. RES. 26
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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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 Convention
Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment;
Whereas women around the world continue to be targeted disproportionately for
cruel, discriminatory, and inhuman punishments by governments that
refuse to protect equally the rights of all their citizens;
Whereas the brutal sentence of execution by stoning is pronounced in many
countries on women who have been accused of adultery, a charge that is
brought even against victims of coerced prostitution or rape;
Whereas in some places execution by stoning has 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 Government of Australia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Trade of New Zealand, the President of Mexico, the Congress of Deputies
of Spain, and other world leaders all condemned execution by stoning and
called for clemency for individuals sentenced to stoning; and
Whereas, according to the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices of the
Department of State, the sentence of execution by stoning continues to
be imposed in several countries: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring),
That Congress--
(1) condemns the practice of execution by stoning as a
gross violation of human rights and appeals to the
international community to end the practice;
(2) requests the President formally to communicate this
resolution to governments that permit this cruel punishment and
to urge the termination of execution by stoning; and
(3) requests the President to direct the Secretary of State
to work with the international community to promote adherence
to international standards of human rights and repeal laws that
permit execution by stoning.
Passed the Senate May 8, 2003.
Attest:
Secretary.
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. CON. RES. 26
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Condemning the punishment of execution by stoning as a gross violation
of human rights, and for other purposes.