Originally published on the CGS blog on June 25, 2009.
A new piece of legislation has come to the attention of many globally minded organizations, Citizens for Global Solutions included. The Crimes Against Humanity Act would make sure that those accused of crimes against humanity could be prosecuted in the United States. The bill would fill a gap in human rights law and ensure that those who should be brought to justice cannot escape by coming to the US.
The United States has long been a leader in advocating for human rights. However there is no legislation which makes sure that the United States courts have jurisdiction to prosecute those who have committed crimes against humanity. The bill defines this as widespread and systematic attacks directed against a civilian population that involve murder, enslavement, torture, rape, arbitrary detention, extermination, hostage taking, or ethnic cleansing. These things have been going on in many different countries all over the world and it is important that the US be able to hold these people accountable for their crimes. While the US has passed legislation that prohibits those who have committed genocide or torture there is still a gap and this bill would fill it.
It is important that this legislation gets the support that it needs. For this reason CGS as well as many other organizations have written a letter to Chairman Durbin urging him to show his support. Richard J. Durbin is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law. His support would help to make sure that this very important piece of legislature is passed.
