[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9926]
[From the U.S. 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 express my concern for the 
escalating persecution of the Christian community in Egypt.
  We were all inspired by the call for freedom and democracy in Egypt 
this winter, but for some in Egypt, the transition has led to more 
threats, more fear, and more violence. While Mubarak is gone, extremist 
groups in Egypt are using the newly opened political space to escalate 
their war against Christians. Churches are burning and people are being 
murdered in the streets over their religious beliefs. If these groups 
get their way, the opportunity for a democratic and free Egypt would be 
lost.
  As the United States partners with Egyptian communities to support 
democracy in this time of transition, it is imperative that human 
rights violations are not pushed aside. The United States must demand 
that any Egyptian Government protect the rights and lives of its 
citizens before any U.S. dollars are given to that government.
  The respect of human rights, including religious freedoms, is 
imperative for the future and stability of Egypt and the region.

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