[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 7 (Thursday, January 21, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN EGYPT

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my concerns and outrage 
over human rights abuses in Egypt.
  The Egyptian Government must uphold the rights of all religious 
communities by ending discrimination and harassment of these groups and 
prosecuting those that do harm to these groups.
  An attack that happened 2 weeks ago starkly illustrates the need for 
change in Egypt. On January 6, the night before Coptic Christmas, a 
drive-by shooting killed six Coptic Christians. While the United States 
and the human rights community have been vocal in condemning this 
attack and other human rights abuses, the Egyptian Government has yet 
to recognize the full significance of the violent act or the 
overreaching issue of intolerance in the country.
  Violence in the name of religion is unacceptable, but when 
governments do not sufficiently address such behavior, the violence is 
far more troubling. Religion is a fundamental freedom that must be 
upheld and respected in every nation and in every community. I urge my 
colleagues and the House to join me in calling for religious freedom 
and basic rights for all people.

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