Support Human Rights for Non-Violent Political Protestors in Egypt

Floor Speech

Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the dire condition of an American political prisoner in Egypt, Mohamed Soltan.

Mohamed is an Egyptian-American citizen who grew up in the United States. He graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in economics.

The Arab Spring inspired Mohamed to support democracy, freedom, and human rights in Egypt. Last year he joined thousands of peaceful protestors in Egypt to oppose the military coup that toppled the government of Mohamed Morsi.

While demonstrating in Rabba Square last August, the Egyptian military shot him in the arm. He was treated in a makeshift clinic with no anesthetic medication.

Mohamed was one of the lucky ones that day. Hundreds of unarmed demonstrators were killed and thousands were injured.

Shortly after being shot, Mohamed was arrested by Egyptian authorities for protesting.

From his jail cell he continues to protest the repression of pro-democracy advocates in Egypt.

Mohamed has been on a hunger strike. He has lost almost half of his body weight and can no longer stand.

Mr. Speaker, I am here to give voice to the struggle for human rights and real democracy in Egypt.

The United States should stand on the side of those like Mohamed who are striving for human rights and democracy in the Middle East.

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