On the recordJune 13, 2019
This amendment withholds an additional $33 million from Pakistan, in addition to the $33 million that is currently being withheld. This seems like it should not be necessary, but, indeed, it is. Dr. Shakil Afridi has been in prison for his role in helping the United States Government locate Osama bin Laden. The message, Mr. Chair, needs to be clear that imprisonment, in violation of human rights, of this fine doctor needs to cease. Mr. Chair, you probably find the same thing back home in your State as I do in mine. Many of my constituents question why we are sending money to Pakistan anyway, let alone if they are going to violate the human rights of someone who has helped bring justice to a terrorist. In prison since 2011, Dr. Afridi was almost entirely restricted. He was prevented from meeting with his lawyers. Indeed, his previous lawyer was murdered. Dr. Afridi has been tortured, reportedly. He has been described as now looking like a skeleton. Mr. Chair, this body needs to stand unanimously together and send a clear message to the Pakistani Government that we will not tolerate this kind of behavior and this violation of human rights. We need to stand with his wife, and we need to stand for freedom. We appreciate the support of Freedom House in supporting this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), someone I fondly refer to as ``Mr. Chairman,'' who has been a leader on so many of these issues.
