[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1601 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1601

 Recognizing that the religious freedom and human rights violations of 
             Kashmiri Pandits has been ongoing since 1989.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 30, 2010

 Mr. Pallone submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

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                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing that the religious freedom and human rights violations of 
             Kashmiri Pandits has been ongoing since 1989.

Whereas Jammu and Kashmir has an ancient culture of religious tolerance and 
        pluralism, where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Christians 
        practiced their faith freely in an atmosphere of mutual respect and 
        peace until 1989;
Whereas Kashmiri Pandits are the original inhabitants of Kashmir, tracing their 
        heritage and culture back several millennia;
Whereas Kashmiri Pandits have been the victims of documented human rights 
        violations resulting in the severe curtailment of their religious 
        freedom for more than two decades;
Whereas the Kashmiri Pandit population has declined from 400,000 in 1989 to a 
        current level of less than 4,000 in the Kashmir valley and many Pandits 
        continue to live in refugee camps;
Whereas international human rights organizations have noted the campaign of 
        intimidation and violence directed by foreign militants and foreign 
        terrorist organizations against Kashmiri Pandits;
Whereas thousands of Kashmiri Pandits, elected officials, and military personnel 
        have been killed in terrorist attacks; and
Whereas numerous groups that have claimed responsibility for these attacks have 
        been designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States 
        Department of State: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns the extremist violence, lack of religious 
        freedom, and human rights violations committed against Kashmiri 
        Pandits, which they have endured for more than two decades; and
            (2) insists that terrorist infrastructure in the region 
        must be dismantled and terrorists should be held accountable 
        for their actions.
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