Washington–Representative Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH) today announced that they have introduced a measure condemning President’s Trump’s threats to militarily target cultural sites in the Administration’s dangerous escalation with Iran. The Engel-Ryan resolution highlights precedent going back to President Lincoln, then-Supreme Allied Commander Eisenhower, the United Nations, and the 1954 Hague Convention that forbids the targeting of cultural sites absent a necessary military imperative and decries such actions as violations of the laws of war.

“These ugly threats from President Trump are an affront to American values and history. Even for this President, tweeting out threats to commit heinous war crimes is a new low that demands condemnation. The measure we’re offering today underscores the extensive history of United States’ rejection of targeting cultural sites, a serious violation of international law that our country must never resort to,” said Chairman Engel.

“Attacking cultural heritage sites is a war crime. For nearly two hundred years, the United States has proudly helped protect these very places around the world. Unfortunately, President Trump has made repeated threats to attack Iranian sites of cultural significance. Congress must send a firm message to the Administration that we will not allow the such violations of international law and human decency. If the United States is going to remain a leader on the world stage, it is critical that we uphold our American values and do not forget what makes us who we are,” said Representative Ryan.

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

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