Violence Against Egyptian Protestors

Floor Speech

* Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my outrage at the military government in Egypt which committed a horrendous act of violence against its own citizens last Sunday night, and at the state run media in Egypt which helped incite that violence.

* Coptic Christians have lived peacefully in Egypt for millennia, but sadly in recent months Coptic churches and protestors have been targeted for violence by sectarian extremists. Sadly, it now appears that the government is playing a role in fostering this unrest, and attacking its own people.

* Last Sunday more than 1,000 Copts gathered to protest a recent attack by Islamist radicals on a Coptic church in the country's south. While it's not clear why this protest turned violent, what we do know from video shot at the scene is that 26 protesters died after the military drove armored vehicles into the crowds.

* Perhaps even more disturbing, state run media sources called upon other Egyptians to take to the streets to protect the military from the protesters. The actions of the media served only to heighten tension and create the increased likelihood that a peaceful protest would turn violent.

* I applaud Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi who submitted his resignation on Tuesday in protest over the government's actions. I am disappointed that Egypt's military government has refused to allow him to resign.

* The end of the reign of Hosni Mubarak creates an enormous opportunity for Egypt to create a democratic society that respects the rights of minorities. In order to maintain international legitimacy and the support of the United States government, the Egyptian military must demonstrate a commitment to protecting Christians and others who have been targeted for violence.

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