Calling for the support of the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens, equal access to justice and due process of law, and transparent and accountable governance in Egypt.

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

 

H. RES. 329

Calling for the support of the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens, equal access to justice and due process of law, and transparent and accountable governance in Egypt.

 

 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 2, 2013

 

Mr. FRANKS of Arizona (for himself, Mr. SIRES, Mr. PITTS, and Mr. HOLT) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

 

 

RESOLUTION

Calling for the support of the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens, equal access to justice and due process of law, and transparent and accountable governance in Egypt.

 

Whereas in recent weeks, an estimated 30,000,000 Egyptians in a majority of Egypt's 27 provinces gathered to protest the widespread failures of former President Mohamed Morsi and the Government of Egypt and its violations of the most basic rights of all Egyptian citizens, including Egyptian women, minorities, and those publicly dissenting from its views and policies;

 

Whereas the participants in the June 30, 2013, popular protests far outnumbered those involved in the protests and demonstrations of January and February 2011;

 

Whereas the Egyptian people have expressed aspirations for a government that protects the human rights of all Egyptians, including the rights of religious freedom, free expression, free assembly, and free association;

 

Whereas in the midst of political transition and uncertainty in Egypt since Egypt's 2011 revolution, lawlessness has prevailed and women and members of minority religious and ethnic communities are targets of violent attacks;

 

Whereas Egypt has a strong national interest in securing a stable, credible, inclusive government based on vital democratic institutions and transparent processes that reflect the will of the Egyptian people;

 

Whereas the United States has a strong national interest in encouraging the interim government, Egyptian military, and people of Egypt to secure popular aspirations for economic development and a stable, transparent, credible, and inclusive government that respects human rights, fundamental freedoms, and rule of law; and

 

Whereas democracy requires inclusiveness, transparency, respect for human and minority rights, and commitment to the rule of law: Now, therefore, be it

 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) supports economic and political reforms that uphold the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens, equal access to justice, due process, and transparent and accountable governance;

(2) supports the establishment of credible and transparent processes and institutions which are inclusive of all democratic, political movements and parties;

(3) calls on interim Egyptian President Adly Mansour and the Government of Egypt to expeditiously and responsibly restore the Egyptian Constitution and rule of law, turn over power to an elected government through free and fair elections, foster democratic reforms and institutions with an inclusive political process, and protect the independence of the judiciary;

(4) urges the process of amending the Egyptian Constitution to be transparent and secure broad consensus, including among democratic opposition members, women, and ethnic and religious minorities, so that the rights of all Egyptian citizens are upheld and protected, particularly freedoms of conscience, expression, assembly, and religion;

(5) urges the Egyptian Armed Forces and security services to respect the rights of all Egyptian citizens, including the right to peaceful assembly, due process, and free and fair trials;

(6) urges a full restoration of media and civil society freedoms, including protecting media and journalists from undue harassment or interference and overturning the verdicts in the recent case in which 43 United States citizens, Egyptians, and others were given harsh sentences for their work to support democracy in Egypt;

(7) calls on the Government of Egypt to continue to meet its obligations under the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty; and

(8) calls on interim President Mansour and the Egyptian Armed Forces to end the climate of impunity, end arbitrary arrests and politically motivated detentions, prosecute acts of violence, and make the protection of the basic security of all Egyptian citizens an urgent priority.