[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16970]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       SHIA KILLINGS IN PAKISTAN

  (Mr. ELLISON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, the relationship between the United States 
and Pakistan has been a long and mutually beneficial relationship, in 
general. But I rise today, based on the representations of many of my 
constituents, to raise concerns about the status of religious 
minorities.
  I support a strong U.S.-Pakistan relationship, and I have experienced 
kindness and generosity from the Pakistani people myself and their 
beautiful diversity.
  In addition to Pakistan's Sunni Muslim majority, there are Shia 
Muslims, Ahmadi Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and others. Pakistan is a 
country with rich religious diversity.
  However, the situation for many religious minorities is of grave 
concern, and this is particularly true for Shia Muslims, although all 
have expressed concern. Shias face daily discrimination at work, 
school, and in the political process.
  According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, more than 500 
people were killed last year in sectarian attacks against Muslim sects, 
mainly Shias. This year, nearly three Shias have been killed every 
single day; three people have been killed simply because of how they 
practice their faith.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a crisis, and something must be done. I urge the 
people of Pakistan and their leadership to do something about it now.

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