WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF) is proud to announce that the Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023 (HR3202), passed the House of Representatives on February 14, 2024, with 389 votes in favor and 32 against.
Deeply concerned that the growing Assad Regime normalization trend has become the global norm, SETF has advocated for two years for the necessity for this bill as a very important instrument to ensure that ruthless dictatorships, war crimes and crimes against humanity are not endorsed by the United States and its allies that have built their societies on the values of democracy, justice and freedom. The initiative garnered bipartisan support from legislators who agreed that reinstating Assad would set a perilous precedent for international law.
The Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023 will ensure US policy prohibits any official action to recognize or normalize relations with any Government of Syria that is led by Bashar al-Assad, citing the regime’s past and ongoing crimes against the Syrian people. It intends to actively oppose any other government’s recognition or normalization of relations with Assad’s government by fully enforcing sanctions outlined in the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 and Executive Order 13894, the latter which includes blocking property and entry of certain individuals involved in Syria. Additionally, the bill seeks to utilize all available authorities to deter reconstruction efforts in areas under Assad’s control and prohibits any federal official or employee from taking actions or allocating funds that imply U.S. recognition of Bashar al-Assad or his government in Syria.
Mouaz Moustafa, SETF’s Executive Director, said:
As a humanitarian organization that has worked on this bill since the inception of its idea, we are proud to see legislation that holds the Assad regime and those normalizing with war criminals accountable. This act does not hinder any humanitarian efforts, in fact it ensures that aid reaches civilians instead of the Assad regime besieging and bombing innocent people.
At a time marked by the advancement of Assad’s normalization all over the world, this legislation marks a substantial step forward. It is important that this bill continues to advance until it becomes a law to prevent the future alteration of this life-saving stance that has hindered the funding of Assad’s machinery of death. SETF urges all stakeholders to continue supporting the advancement of the Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023 for the sake of humanity and the pursuit of a more just world.
For any inquiries, please contact:
Maria Cure
Director of Communications
[email protected]
www.setf.ngo