[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 92 (Friday, May 15, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       INHUMANITY IN AFGHANISTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 15, 2020

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday May 12th 
there was an inhuman murderous attack by terrorists of a 100-bed 
hospital compound in Kabul, Afghanistan, which included a maternity 
ward run by aid group Doctors Without Borders. Gruesomely, the 
terrorist attack left 16 murdered, including mothers, infants, and 
healthcare workers, and 15 others were wounded. Shortly thereafter, a 
cowardly suicide bomber targeted a funeral ceremony of a local police 
commander in Nangahar, leaving at least 24 dead and 68 injured. This 
level of fanaticism underscores that we must secure Afghan families or 
the terrorists will again eagerly kill Americans as they did on 
September 11th from a cave in Afghanistan.
  Tuesday's gut-wrenching attacks are unfortunately not an aberration 
in Afghanistan, as terrorists who would like to stifle freedom and 
liberty continue to destabilize the country and threaten the democratic 
trajectory of the Afghan government. Although the Afghan Taliban have 
formally denied their participation in these attacks, President Ashraf 
Ghani pointed an accusatory finger at the terrorist group and called on 
them to cease and desist. ``I once again call on them to embrace 
peace,'' President Ghani said in an official statement, noting that it 
is ``not only a demand of the government, but the nation and the 
international community.'' America is grateful for President Ghani's 
courageous leadership. As Co-Chairman of the Afghan Caucus, I 
especially have appreciated meeting with the President in Kabul where I 
found firsthand his devotion to the people.
  If the Taliban truly did not participate in these heinous attacks, 
the group should work with the Afghan government to bring the murderous 
perpetrators to justice.
  It is especially tragic that these attacks occurred during the Muslim 
holy Month of Ramadan, a time meant for solemn prayer and peace. The 
people of Afghanistan deserve a peaceful future, free from terrorism 
and death that they have been plagued with for far too long.
  Americans pray that peace, stability, and security return to 
Afghanistan and we stand ready to support Afghanistan's government and 
security services in their efforts to realize this dream for prosperity 
of Afghan families.

                          ____________________