Philippines Responds to ACLJ Regarding ISIS Genocide

We are continuing to gain momentum in our advocacy campaign to recognize the atrocities being carried out against Christians, Yazidis, and other religious minorities as acts of genocide.

We have sent letters to foreign heads of state, U.S. government officials, and have even delivered oral interventions at the U.N. Human Rights Council. We recently received a response from the U.K. and the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng. Now, we have received a response from the Philippines.

As we previously reported, on July 24, 2017, we sent a letter to the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, urging the Philippines (a nation uniquely familiar with the far-reaching web of ISIS genocide) to:

call for all United Nations bodies to recognise and declare that the ongoing atrocities committed by the Islamic State and associated groups constitute genocide and that Christians are among those victimised thereby, and vocalise your support for a referral by the Secretary Council to the International Criminal Court or the establishment of a competent tribunal in order to investigate violations by the Islamic State committed in Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere in the region against Christians, Yazidis and other religious and ethnic minorities. We urge you to communicate with all appropriate offices of the United Nations accordingly and to mobilise the international community to take swift and decisive action.

We have just received responses from both the Philippines Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Bayani S. Mercado, and its Ambassador to France, H.E. MA. Theresa Parreño Lazaro. The letters acknowledge our “‘request for recognition of ISIS atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities as genocide and for appropriate action’” and state that the Philippines “Department of Foreign Affairs will discuss your request with other relevant government agencies.”

This is exactly what we are urging governments around the world to do. International leadership must address the issue. We cannot allow it to be ignored.

In order to provide the relief that Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq and Syria so desperately need and the justice they deserve, the international community must come together and send the message that such barbaric behavior will not be tolerated.

We will continue to reach out and keep pressure on key world leaders to ensure that Christians receive the protection from genocide they so desperately need.

Learn more: How Your Voice is Finally Forcing the U.N. to Start Taking Action for Christians Facing “Genocide”.

Sign our petition today, and join us as we act now to end the genocide and protect the victims.