[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 3, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
International Women's Day on March 8 to call attention to women around 
the world who have risked their personal safety and freedom to speak 
out for the rights of all women.
  I am particularly inspired by the example of three brave Saudi women 
who have spent nearly 2 years imprisoned or under house arrest because 
of their fearless advocacy.
  These three women, Loujain Al-Hathloul, Nouf Abdulaziz, and Eman Al-
Nafjan, are outstanding examples of the many Saudi activists who 
bravely fought to stop Saudi Arabia's male guardianship, fought to end 
its prohibition on women driving, and fought to open up female 
participation in elections and public office.
  And although the government ostensibly granted such freedoms in 2018, 
these three women continue to face different injustices, including 
torture or threats of murder and sexual violence and limited access to 
family or legal representation.
  Loujain has been particularly targeted for her courageous leadership 
within this women's movement. Her selfless commitment has paved the way 
for crucial social reforms, but unfortunately, the Saudi Government has 
attempted to undermine her contributions with politically-motivated 
criminal charges, a lengthy imprisonment, and inhumane abuse.
  This incredible woman deserves to be honored, not jailed, which is 
why I recently led several colleagues in nominating Loujain for the 
Nobel Peace Prize and will continue to advocate for her through the Tom 
Lantos Human Rights Commission's Defending Freedoms Project.
  This Congress, we have already adopted a bipartisan resolution in the 
House to urge for the release of these women and other activists. 
Today, we call on Saudi Arabia once again to free these women and to 
lift the threat of their continued persecution.
  To maintain our international leadership, the United States has a 
moral obligation to uphold democratic principles. The President, the 
Secretary of State, and the entire Trump administration must increase 
its diplomatic pressure to demand the release of these women and hold 
the Saudi Government accountable for its appalling disregard of human 
rights.
  As we recognize this International Women's Day, we are reminded to 
look beyond our borders; to continue to bring attention to the urgent 
and ongoing human rights violations that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 
committing.
  I ask that all women and their allies throughout the United States 
and around the world and all men join me in standing with these amazing 
Saudi feminists in demanding that they be freed.

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