[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 19, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6441-S6442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE TALIBAN IN AFGHANISTAN

  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise to discuss the critical situation 
concerning the Taliban in Afghanistan. The seriousness of the Taliban's 
gross injustices is alarming. This movement continues to make 
outrageous demands on religious minorities, women, and the relief 
workers trying to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people. With 
impunity, the Taliban has largely ignored international condemnation, 
becoming increasingly fanatical and strict.
  I am cosponsoring a bill with Senators Brownback and Boxer which 
condemns the Taliban for its harsh demands on Muslims, Hindus, women, 
and religious minorities. The legislation strongly urges the Taliban to 
reopen United Nations offices and hospitals so that the people of 
Afghanistan may receive necessary relief. I encourage my colleagues to 
consider cosponsoring this legislation.
  Hindus and all other religious minorities have been ordered to 
distinguish themselves from Muslims by wearing yellow badges. This 
decree is reminiscent of the Nazis forcing the Jews to wear the yellow 
star of David. It is shocking that the Taliban would order this kind of 
religious branding. Furthermore, Muslims and non-Muslims are prohibited 
from living together, and religious minorities are not permitted to 
construct new places of worship. The fanatic Taliban religious police 
invoke terror on city streets, sometimes whipping those who are not 
attending mosques at designated times. This kind of religious 
intolerance is abominable and should not be allowed.
  The Taliban's iron grip on Afghanistan not only affects religious 
practices, it is further devastating the suffering Afghan people by 
obstructing relief efforts by the United Nations and other humanitarian 
organizations. The United Nations World Food Program believes it may be 
forced to close around 130 bakeries in Afghanistan's capital city if 
the Taliban will not allow women to help address the needs of the 
hungry. Without the aid of both men and women, program leaders cannot 
maintain the bread distribution program. Also in the capital, a 40-bed 
surgical hospital was forced to close its doors. Sixteen international 
staff members escaped to Pakistan because there were genuine concerns 
about their safety. This is not the first time foreign staff have had 
to flee. Several U.N. workers have even been arrested, a gross 
violation of a previous agreement between the Taliban and the U.N. that 
relief workers would be protected. The Taliban is compromising both the 
safety of international relief workers and the well-being of the Afghan 
people with their harsh and unreasonable policies.
  The injustice meted out by the Taliban is sobering and demands 
continued attention. That is why I am cosponsoring S. Con. Res. 42 with 
Senators Brownback and Boxer, and it is

[[Page S6442]]

my fervent wish that the suffering endured by all the Afghan people and 
international workers be quickly relieved.

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