HOUSE PASSES LIEU AMENDMENT TO PROTECT STATE DEPARTMENT’S WAR CRIMES OFFICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement regarding the House of Representatives passing his amendment to the Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations for the Department of State to protect the Office of Global Criminal Justice (GCJ). In July, Congressman Lieu led a letter signed by 30 Members of Congress to Secretary Tillerson in response to disturbing reports that the Trump Administration was preparing to shutter the office.

"I am pleased that the House of Representatives has passed my amendment to protect the U.S. Government's war crimes office from efforts to shutter it. At a time when we are witnessing some of the worst crimes against humanity in a generation, the United States has a moral obligation to drive efforts to prevent atrocities and hold war criminals accountable. Today, Congress has sent a clear message to the Trump Administration that the State Department must continue to prioritize human rights and the rule of law. It is now up to the Administration to appoint new leadership for this office so that it can continue its life-saving work."

BACKGROUND:
Among other achievements, the GCJ obtained and helped authenticate the famed "Caesar photos" documenting atrocities committed by the Assad regime in Syria; coordinated the State Department's financial and political support for an African Union court investigating those responsible for crimes in South Sudan; and has advised foreign governments on transitional justice from Rwanda to Colombia to Sri Lanka.

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