I think we should post the resolution on our websites and spread the word to our people that our voices and petitions were heard by our Senate.
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Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about the persecution of and attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt. I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter and having the opportunity to respond. The New Year's Day church bombing that claimed the lives of 21 Egyptians has highlighted the plight of the Coptic Christian community in Egypt. I grieve with you for both the loss of life and for further loss of religious freedom suffered by fellow Christians in Egypt. Whether the genesis of this barbaric act is based in Egypt or has come from outside its borders, the fact remains that extremist elements felt unconstrained in launching a massive attack inside Egypt against an unprotected community. This tragic event shines a light on the plight of at least 8 million people, approximately 10 percent of the Egyptian population, who live on the periphery of Egyptian society, unacknowledged and insufficiently protected by the laws and the government of Egypt. To draw attention to the situation faced by Copts in Egypt, on January 25, 2010 I introduced a resolution (S.Res.22) in the United States Senate that condemns the New Year's Day attack; calls on Mubarak to identify, locate, and prosecute – to the fullest extent of the law – the criminals responsible for this horrific attack; and urges the Egyptian government to work toward religious freedom and equality of treatment for all Egyptians. The resolution passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent on January 31, 2011 (copy enclosed). It is my deep and abiding hope that this tragedy will force any new Egyptian government to fully acknowledge the ongoing plight of the Coptic Christian community and rectify the long-standing legal and social disparities between Christian and Muslim citizens in Egypt. Most importantly, I hope that any new Egyptian government will use its full power and strength to ensure that this peaceful, faithful community is protected from injustice and intolerance and that those who are responsible for this vicious and deadly attack are held fully accountable. Again, thank you for reaching out to me. This issue is very important to me and I appreciate your support. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance. I invite you to visit my website (http://menendez.senate.gov) to learn more about how I am standing up for New Jersey families in the United States Senate. |
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