Amid ongoing attacks against Coptic Christians in Egypt, a U.S.
Senator has introduced legislation aimed at protecting the rights of
religious minorities in the Middle East.
“The continued violence against Coptic Christians and other civilians in
Egypt is incredibly disturbing and flies in the face of the religious
freedoms and fundamental values that Americans hold dear,” said Senator
Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) in an Aug. 21 press release.
“I urge Majority Leader Reid to allow a vote on this bipartisan
legislation, which would call attention to all religious minorities and
demonstrate to leaders in the region that the United States takes
religious freedom seriously.”
Blunt serves on both the Senate defense authorization and defense
appropriations committees. He is a member of the Appropriations
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations.
The bill, which has been introduced in the Senate, asks the U.S.
Department of State to create a special envoy for religious minorities
in Middle Eastern countries to help mediate the violence facing Coptic
Christians and other religious minorities.
The proposed legislation calls for the envoy to promote “the right of
religious freedom of religious minorities in the countries of the Near
East and the countries of South Central Asia, denounce the violation of
such right, and recommend appropriate responses by the United States
Government when such right is violated.”
It also asks the envoy to monitor “and combat acts of religious
intolerance and incitement targeted against religious minorities” and
work “to ensure that the unique needs of religious minority communities”
in these areas are addressed.
The legislative effort is particular important, Blunt stressed, given
the ongoing persecution of Coptic Christians in Egypt. Dozens of
Christian churches – as well as schools, homes and other institutions
owned by Christians – have come under attack in recent days, as violence
continues throughout the country.
On Aug. 14, Egyptian security forces broke up camps of protesters allied
with the Muslim Brotherhood.
The protesters had been demanding that
President Mohammed Morsi be returned to power after he had been ousted
by the military last month.
Hundreds of people have been reported dead in the violent clashes that
have followed. The Coptic Christian population – a minority in the
country – has particularly been targeted in attacks attributed to the
Muslim Brotherhood.
Noting that his legislation has drawn support from both political
parties, Blunt urged it to be quickly considered for a vote in the
Senate.
The bill has been co-sponsored by Carl Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the
U.S. Senate Armed Services, as well as Senators Richard Blumenthal
(D-Conn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Susan Collins
(R-Maine), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Marco Rubio
(R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.).