[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 16, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             POLITICAL PRISONERS ON HUNGER STRIKE IN EGYPT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2014

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, approximately 80 political prisoners in 
Egypt are on a hunger strike to protest their detention and the 
Egyptian government's continuing crackdown on dissent.
  Over the past several years, the Government of Egypt has undertaken 
harsh measures to silence its critics. Even as Egypt has committed to 
undertake a democratic transition, its efforts to quell dissent have 
increased and worsened within the past year.
  Last November, former Egyptian President Adly Mansour approved a 
severe anti-protest law that effectively bans any protests not 
sanctioned by the government. Under that law, dozens of peaceful 
protesters have been arrested for demonstrating against it.
  According to international human rights organizations, those arrested 
for violating the protest law over the past several months join the 
more than 41,000 people who have been subjected to politically-
motivated arrests since last July. Among those now in detention are 
opposition leaders, human rights activists, peaceful protesters, and 
journalists.
  Many of these detainees have given up any hope for a fair trial or 
for securing their freedom, and more than eighty prisoners have gone on 
hunger strike in protest of their detentions and the Government's on-
going crackdown on dissent.
  Today, I call upon the Government of Egypt to immediately release all 
those detained for political reasons or for exercising their rights to 
free speech, expression and assembly. I also call upon the Egyptian 
government to repeal or amend those laws currently being used to 
repress peaceful dissent and ensure compliance with Egypt's obligations 
under international human rights law.
  I welcome the release on bail yesterday of at least three of the 
prisoners who were taking part in the hunger strike. They will continue 
to pursue an appeal of their convictions for violating the anti-protest 
law. Despite their release, however, dozens of other activists remain 
imprisoned and as of today, over 80 prisoners are estimated to be on 
hunger strike.
  In September, Egyptian authorities announced that an initiative for 
reconciliation would be put on the table following the passage of a 
transitional justice law once the new parliament is established at the 
end of the year. Reconciliation requires respect for individuals, 
political parties and organizations that hold differing points of view. 
And such respect requires that the government and the people of the 
nation allow for the free expression of dissenting views. As one of our 
key security partners in the region, the United States should insist 
that Egypt respect peaceful dissent and pledge to support and help 
Egypt achieve a truly democratic transition.