A resolution sponsored on Dec. 9 by U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) would denounce human rights violations by the Ethiopian government, including the persecution of Christians, and initiate sanctions against officials committing such crimes.

“Practicing your Christian faith is not a crime,” Rep. Carter said. “Terrorists are running Ethiopia into the ground, and with it the lives of countless innocent people, particularly religious minorities.”

House Resolution (H.Res.) 937 would condemn Ethiopia for “actions that threaten regional stability, violate fundamental human rights, and undermine the strategic interests of the United States in the Horn of Africa,” according to the text.

This would include “acts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide,” as well as the targeting by “violence, intimidation, and persecution” of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and other religious institutions, the text says.

Specifically, H.Res. 937 would call for the U.S. Secretary of State and relevant agencies to use all available diplomatic and economic tools, including sanctions and restrictions on foreign assistance, to hold accountable those responsible for atrocities and to incentivize democratic reforms and inclusive governance in Ethiopia.

Among several provisions, the resolution also would initiate Global Magnitsky sanctions against Ethiopian government officials credibly implicated in gross human rights violations, and support international and independent investigations into alleged atrocities and urge cooperation by the Government of Ethiopia with such efforts, the text says.

“From intimidation to famine and genocide, the Ethiopian government has given the United States no option but to limit their power by using every tool available to hold them accountable for these, and many other, abuses,” said Rep. Carter.

The resolution, which is supported by the Amhara Association in Georgia and the American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee, has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.