Hoyer: ISIL Genocide a Wake-Up Call to the International Community

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in response to the State Department’s determination that ISIL is committing genocide in areas it controls: 

"Secretary Kerry's determination that ISIL is committing genocide in the areas it controls ought to be a wake-up call to the international community that it must pursue a unified approach to eliminating this nefarious group. For thousands of Yezidis, Christians, and Muslims living beneath ISIL's curtain of fear, daily life has become a nightmare. The free nations of the world have a moral responsibility to prevent genocide and stop it when it occurs. We have seen from history what can happen when nations fail to act in time when it is clear that a genocide is taking place.  

“I will continue working closely with my House colleagues and with the Administration to identify the best way forward for the United States to engage our allies in stopping this genocide and in completing the task of removing the threat ISIL poses to the region and to the peace and stability of our world."