Press Release Sep 30, 2019
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Brad Sherman, the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asia, announced that on October 22nd at 10 a.m., the Subcommittee will soon hold a hearing on “Human Rights in South Asia.”
“Assistant Secretary Alice Wells, who oversees all State Department policy towards South Asia will testify. Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Scott Busby, who overseas human rights efforts is South Asia will also testify. We have invited other State Department officials and we also expect to hear from private human rights activists on the issues,” said Congressman Sherman.
In July, the Subcommittee held a hearing on human rights in Southeast Asia. The Subcommittee also anticipates holding a hearing later this year on human rights in East Asia, which will focus in large part on events in Hong Kong and the internment of the Uighur minority.
The hearing will focus on the Kashmir Valley, where many political activists have been arrested and daily life, the internet, and telephone communications have been interrupted. The hearing will also review the humanitarian situation in Kashmir and whether Kashmiris have adequate supplies of food, medicine, and other essentials.
“In August, I had an opportunity to meet with Americans from Kashmir Valley in the San Fernando Valley, along with my colleague Congressman André Carson (D-IN). We heard stories of difficulties encountered by my constituents and others, and the fears they have for their loved ones. Since then I have had several additional meetings with Kashmiri Americans. I look forward to learning more about human rights in Kashmir,” said Congressman Sherman.
The hearing will also focus on the Tamils of Sri Lanka, the human rights situation in Pakistan, including the Sindh Province and Muslims in Assam.
On August 30th, Congressman Sherman addressed human rights in China, Sri Lanka, and Sindh in an address at a National Press Club event for the International Day for the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
