Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media, Law & Policy
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media, Law & Policy

David Crane Testifies at House Subcommittee Hearing on ISIS Genocide Declaration

Friday, May 27, 2016, By Martin Walls
Share
College of Lawfaculty

On May 26, Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism (INSCT) faculty member David M. Crane testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations at the Rayburn building in Washington, D.C. Sub-committee Chair Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) convened the hearing to discuss “The ISIS Genocide Declaration: What Next?”

David Crane

David Crane

Crane, a professor of practice at the College of Law, was one of five witnesses invited by Rep. Smith. Crane brought to the hearing his experience as former chief prosecutor of the United Nations Special Court for Sierra Leone and his recent work on both the Caesar Report. The Caesar Report brought to light allegations of systematic torture and murder by the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and the Syrian Accountability Project, whose most recent white paper has documented sexual crimes by all sides during the Syrian Civil War.

During their testimony, expert witnesses voiced safety concerns and a need to identify an enduring resolution for displaced persons affected by the civil war. The chairman, a Republican, also criticized what he called the lack of action by the administration of President Barack Obama following its March 2016 declaration that the Islamic State is committing acts of genocide against ethnic and religious groups, such as Christians and Yezidis. After listing concerns about the administration repeating mistakes even after its genocide declaration, Smith emphasized that “There is no easy, single solution to the threats to religious and ethnic minorities and other civilians in Iraq and Syria, [but] complexity must never be an excuse for indifference and inaction.” Click here to read Smith’s full statement.

However, Crane emphasized that “We can take realistic steps to start an accountability mechanism for the region, particularly as it relates to ISIS atrocity. If we have the political will we can establish a truth commission, a domestic court or an internationalized domestic court, and a hybrid regional court.” He noted that in March, the House overwhelmingly passed House Concurrent Resolution 121, authored by Smith, calling for “the establishment of a war crimes tribunal where these crimes could be addressed.” Click here to read Crane’s full statement.

  • Author
  • Faculty Experts

Martin Walls

  • Recent
  • Syracuse University and University of Bergen Host Transatlantic Alliance for Law, Outreach and National Security Conference
    Monday, August 4, 2025, By Robert Conrad
  • National Grid Summer College Scholars Program Invests in Energy Literacy
    Thursday, July 31, 2025, By Hope Alvarez
  • Bowlers Wanted for Faculty and Staff Bowling League
    Thursday, July 31, 2025, By News Staff
  • Lender Center New York Event Gathers Wealth Gap Experts
    Wednesday, July 30, 2025, By Diane Stirling
  • After Tragedy, Newhouse Grad Rediscovers Her Voice Through Podcasting
    Wednesday, July 30, 2025, By Chris Velardi

More In Media, Law & Policy

Syracuse University and University of Bergen Host Transatlantic Alliance for Law, Outreach and National Security Conference

The Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy and Law (SPL) and the University of Bergen Faculty of Law recently hosted a group of national security scholars from 16 universities and 12 states at the first Transatlantic Alliance for Law, Outreach…

After Tragedy, Newhouse Grad Rediscovers Her Voice Through Podcasting

When Erika Mahoney ’12 graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, she had no idea that her journalism training would one day help her navigate the most devastating chapter of her own life. Today, the former National Public…

Class of ’25 College of Law Graduate to Be Inducted Into the U.S. Olympic Hall Of Fame

A runner for most of her life, Marla Runyan L’25 crossed yet another finish line when she walked the stage in May to accept her diploma from the  College of Law. While this was quite an achievement, she is no…

Professor Nina Kohn Serves as Reporter for 2 Uniform Acts

College of Law Distinguished Professor Nina Kohn is helping to create “gold standard” legislation on some of the most important issues facing older adults and individuals with cognitive disabilities. Based on her legal expertise, including in the area of elder…

250 Years Later, Declaration of Independence Still Challenges, Inspires a Nation: A Conversation With Professor Carol Faulkner

In June 1776, from a rented room in Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson penned the first draft of the document that would forge a nation. The stakes were high, amidst the ongoing war with the British, to find the right words to…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.