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March 3, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 42 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

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BANGLADESH; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 42
(Senate - March 03, 2020)

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[Page S1273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               BANGLADESH

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, an op-ed I penned recently mentioned 
countries that still have blasphemy laws on the books, and it touched a 
nerve in Bangladesh. I certainly didn't mean to imply that it was the 
worst offender, and I commend Bangladesh for its support of almost 1 
million Rohingya Muslim refugees who are fleeing Burma. Bangladesh's 
secular government has also taken steps to prosecute perpetrators of 
religious-based crimes.
  However, a 2016 report by the U.S. Commission on International 
Religious Freedom found that religious and civil society groups in 
Bangladesh fear increasing religious extremism. Moreover, some 
Bangladeshi leaders have warned that violators of the blasphemy laws 
would be prosecuted.
  Bangladesh and the 68 other countries that still have blasphemy laws 
on the books should repeal these laws. That is why I am cosponsoring a 
resolution, S. Res. 458, calling on the global repeal of blasphemy 
laws.
  I yield the floor.

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