[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 1, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H4265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    INTRODUCING THE DALIT RESOLUTION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Franks) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I introduced a 
resolution calling for the United States to address the ongoing problem 
of untouchability in India. Last December Prime Minister Manmohan Singh 
recognized the similarities between untouchability in his country and 
Apartheid in South Africa. It is now time for this Congress, Mr. 
Speaker, to speak out about this ancient and particularly abhorrent 
form of persecution and segregation, even if it is occurring in a 
country many consider to be one of America's closest allies. This 
Congress must urge an end to the social discrimination and injustice 
faced by the nearly 250 million people known as Dalits and Tribals in 
India.
  Although the Indian constitution guarantees fundamental rights and 
freedoms for all Indians, the untouchables continue to face widespread 
social and caste injustices. Article 17 of the Constitution outlaws 
untouchability. However, despite numerous laws enacted for the 
protection and betterment of the Dalits and Tribals, they are still 
considered outcasts in Indian society and are treated as such.
  At best, untouchability involves social segregation, including 
separate educational facilities and drinking water and restaurants. 
This is a sad and familiar tune to many of us familiar with the history 
of our own country. At worst, untouchability entails widespread 
violence against untouchable women, especially in the form of rape with 
impunity, being targeted for abortions, and comprises the majority of 
temple prostitute and women trafficked from India.
  The untouchables are poor, Mr. Speaker. Their most basic needs are 
not fulfilled, and they face great difficulties in accessing 
employment, education, food, and health care. Most are among the 
poorest people on the face of the Earth, living on less than $1 per 
day. Moreover, Dalit women are often sold into bondage, prostitution, 
and there is an increasing religious persecution against the Dalits and 
untouchables who change their faith. In 2005, USAID stopped funding an 
organization after it was revealed that they were preventing many of 
these women from leaving prostitution. In a recent instance, a whole 
Dalit village was forced to leave their tribal land because they had 
converted to Christianity in a state that had laws against conversion.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution is a direct statement by the United 
States Congress that untouchability is an unacceptable practice on the 
part of America's largest trading partner and close ally. We appreciate 
that Prime Minister Singh and many others have recognized that this is 
a serious social problem that needs to be confronted, and we urge the 
rest of Indian society and American diplomats, aid workers, and 
businesses working in India to do the same and to work toward the 
eradication of casted discrimination in India.
  This resolution encourages our government to work with India to find 
new approaches to an age-old problem. Moreover, Mr. Speaker, this 
resolution will ensure that we as a government and we as an American 
people in no way encourage or enforce caste discrimination and 
untouchability through our policies with India or through foreign aid 
or direct aid in any way.
  And I urge my colleagues to join me in calling on the Indian 
government and the world community to look with compassion upon India's 
untouchables and reach out to one of the poorest and most oppressed 
peoples on the face of the Earth.

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