[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 13174]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                               BANGLADESH

  (Ms. GABBARD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss and raise the dire 
situation of religious minorities in Bangladesh.
  Bangladesh is a country in turmoil. There are many concerns about the 
stability of the country, particularly since flawed elections were held 
last year and the political violence that has ensued.
  I am particularly concerned over issues of religious freedom and, 
specifically, attacks against the minority Hindus, Christians, 
Buddhists, and others in Bangladesh.
  All too often perpetrators of crimes against minorities go 
unpunished. It is up to the Government of Bangladesh to take action to 
stop those who incite and commit violence and to protect the rights of 
these minorities.
  I am introducing a resolution today calling on the Government of 
Bangladesh to protect human rights of all its citizens, particularly 
its vulnerable minorities, strengthen democratic institutions and rule 
of law, and prevent the growth of extremist groups.
  I ask my colleagues to support this resolution to help protect the 
religious freedoms of all people in Bangladesh.

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