[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 5, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H1519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING 1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE MASSACRES IN GUJARAT, INDIA

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 1-year 
anniversary of the massacres in Gujarat, India, by Hindu extremists and 
extend my sympathies to those families who have suffered so terribly at 
the hands of the extremists.
  Extremism is on the rise in a number of countries including India 
where leading figures and officials have directly or indirectly 
supported attacks against and massacres of moderate Muslims, Dalits, 
also called ``untouchables,'' Christians, and other minorities. The 
perpetrators of these crimes must be brought to justice.
  I have a number of excellent reports here and in my office from human 
rights organizations like Human Rights Watch, ASSIST, Amnesty 
International, local Indian NGOs detailing the attacks in Gujarat; and 
I urge Members to read these reports, respond to the issues facing the 
people of India today. We must support those who would further 
democracy and the rule of law and freedom in India, not stifle and 
suppress it; and these violent extremists must be brought to justice.

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