Ed Royce: “this resolution makes note of the ongoing crisis in Algeria and condemns the horrific wave of killings there. Throughout…”

“this resolution makes note of the ongoing crisis in Algeria and condemns the horrific wave of killings there. Throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that begins on December 30 nearly 1,300 innocent Algerians, including women and children, were brutally murdered. Another 100 Algerians were killed earlier this month; and, according to the U.S. State Department Human Rights report, 70,000 Algerian men, women and children have been brutally murdered during the last 6 years, 70,000. Much of this crisis in Algeria began after the annulled 1992 elections. An attempt at political reform by the government at the time included the legalization of opposition political parties. One of the parties, the Islamic Salvation Front, or FIS, wanted to create an Islamic state. They were on the brink of a parliamentary victory in January, 1992, when the military forced the President's resignation and annulled the election. The banned FIS has since renounced its violence, but a new group, the radical Armed Islamic Group, or GIA, is a terrorist group that neither the FIS nor the government can control. These radical Islamic insurgents, many of whom were trained and fought in Afghanistan, call themselves holy warriors and believe that during holy periods like Ramadan their barbarism will be doubly blessed by God.”