Support Hindu and Minority Human Rights in Bangladesh

• The protection of Bangladesh’s Hindus and other minorities from ongoing violence
• Religious freedom and human rights be at the forefront of the U.S. relationship with Bangladesh

This month of August is vital because Members of Congress are in their districts and focused on issues of importance to their constituents. It’s critical that you call to tell them that you care about the human rights and religious freedom of Hindus in Bangladesh.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This campaign site requests your address and phone number. Please provide your home address so the site correctly identifies your Representative.Secondly, please provide a phone number where you can be reached immediately. The site will call you on the number you provide and then automatically connect you to your Representative’s office.

• Chairman Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
• Ranking Member Brad Sherman (D-CA), Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
• Congressman Bob Dold (R-IL)
• Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA)

• During the 1971 War of Liberation, Pakistan’s military collaborated with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) to kill over three million Hindus and secular Bengalis.
• Bangladesh has seen the rapid ascension of radical Islamists and for decades, has witnessed the systematic persecution of Hindus and other religious minorities.
• For the past two years, JeI, ICS, and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have engaged in mass violence, killing hundreds of ordinary citizens and injuring hundreds more.
• In recent pre and post-election violence, 495 Hindu homes were damaged; 585 shops were looted; and 169 temples destroyed.
• In the first few months of 2015, three atheist bloggers – including American citizen, Avijit Roy – have been hacked to death by Islamic fundamentalists.

Why is H.Res 396 important?

• H.Res. 396 is the first U.S. legislation to recognize the atrocities committed against Hindus during Bangladesh’s indenpendence movement in 1971, sending a message globally that war crimes and religious persecution will not be tolerated.
• H.Res. 396 furthers America’s commitment to promoting human rights, religious freedom, and pluralism in Bangladesh as integral parts of our foreign policy.
• H.Res 396 also encourages America to work constructively with the Government of Bangladesh to stem the rising tide of Islamic extremism, specifically censuring BNP, JeI, and ICS for their role in promoting religious intolerance and violence.