US Congress Resolution to Protect Bangladeshi Minorities

On July 29, 2015, U.S. Congressman Robert Dold and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard introduced a bipartisan resolution calling on the government of Bangladesh to increase human rights protections, strengthen democratic institutions and prevent the growth of extremist groups in the country. The resolution comes as ISIS and other trans-national radical Islamic groups continue to grow their influence in areas like South Asia. This represents an historic shift in U.S. policy toward Bangladesh.  It discards the inaccurate view of the world's eighth largest nation as a democratic ally and opponent of radical Islam; for one that recognizes the reality of its role in the spread of Islamism and ethnic cleansing of non-Muslim minorities.

“Religious persecution is on the rise around the world, with 77% of the world’s population now living in countries with high restrictions on religious freedom,” "As the greatest force for human dignity in the world," said Dold, "the United States has an obligation to send the unequivocal message that we will not tolerate countries that fail to protect the fundamental freedoms of all citizens, especially minorities."  He called on the Bangladeshi government "to protect the rights of minorities, eliminate violent extremist groups and restore the rule of law.”

After noting her concern about attacks on religious minorities, Gabbard added, "All too often perpetrators of crimes against minorities go unpunished. It’s up to the government of Bangladesh to take action to stop those who incite and commit violence and protect the rights of these minorities."

The resolution is now with the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, of which Gabbard is a member.  Its Chairman, Congressman Ed Royce, is on the record with his concern about the persecution of minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh.

Since 2007, I have been urging the U.S. government to recognize the "ethnic cleansing of Hindus in Bangladesh" and take a clear stand against the atrocity itself and against the fairy tale that Bangladesh is a "moderate" nation.  Rather, Bangladesh has become Islamism's petri dish for additional campaigns internationally, as well as a test of our will to oppose its commitment to atrocities.

House Resolution 396 is an important step not only for human rights; it is also an important step in our open-eyed fight against our most implacable enemies.

Something easy you can do to help save 15 million Bangladeshi Hindus

As we have been reporting here and elsewhere, we seem to be turning a corner in our struggle to stop the ethnic cleansing of Hindus in Bangladesh.  A US locality has officially recognized this human rights atrocity (you can help get your own to do the same -- contact me), two human rights NGOs are looking at the matter seriously, USCIRF has admitted that this is a serious issue for religious freedom in Bangladesh, and more of official Washington is taking notice even while our foreign policy is focused on Iran and the Middle East--and that is where you can help.

The House Foreign Affiars Committee, under the leadership of its Chairman, Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA), is giving serious consideration to holding hearings on the issue.  Its Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, under its Chairman, Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH), and the leadership of Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) is moving close as well.  SAVING BANGLADESH'S  HINDUS FROM THEIR OWN NEIGHBORS AND GOVERNMENT IS A MATTER OF DEEPLY-HELD AND SHARED VALUES THAT HAS OVERCOME PARTISAN DIFFERENCES.  Divisions between Democrats and Republicans have evaporated here.

Members of Congress are sensitive to their constituents' concerns.  If they hear from you, they will recognize that this is an important issue in itself and an issue that is important to their constituents.  You can put us over the top by calling or faxing them.  (Emails are not very effective.)

"I am a constituent of [Congressman or Congresswoman _____________] and want to express my strong support for hearings on the ethnic cleansing of Hindus in Bangladesh.  Hindus have been reduced from almost a fifth of the country to less than eight percent through racists laws and ongoing atrocities that the government refuses to prosecute.  As [Congressman or Congresswoman __________] is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I urge [him or her] to support hearings on this human rights atrocity that the Committee is considering.  Thank you."

If you are contacting Ed Royce, instead of calling him a "member," refer to him as "the chairman." If you are contacting Eliot Engel, "refer to him as "the ranking Democrat," rather than a "member."

To find out if your Congressional Representative is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, go to this site.  You can also email me.

With this simple action, YOU can make a huge difference.  Thank you.