[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H6791-H6792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE IN EGYPT

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the violence in 
Egypt. Months after Muslims and Christians fought for democracy, 
religious violence continues to plague the country. Worse yet, in post-
revolution Egypt, violence against Coptic Christians is rising.
  This weekend, over two dozen people were killed in Cairo, most of 
them Coptic Christians. Demonstrators had gathered to protest the 
attack on a Coptic church and other Christian-owned properties. In 
response, military officials aggressively confronted protesters by 
driving vehicles into crowds and shooting off rounds of live 
ammunition. In the end, 26 people were dead and hundreds were wounded.
  This brutal crackdown puts into great question the ability of the 
military government to bring democracy to Egypt and protect its 
minority Coptic population. These military attacks are unacceptable, 
and the resulting deaths are absolutely appalling.
  The Coptic Christians simply want respect for their churches, their 
homes, and their basic rights. Democracy cannot thrive in Egypt if the 
rights of Coptic Christians are not respected.
  The United States must do everything it can to pressure military 
leaders to end the violence, punish those

[[Page H6792]]

responsible, and uphold the equal rights of all Egyptian citizens.

                          ____________________