H.Res. 723 (112th): Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the classification of Dr. Shakil Afridi as a ...

HRES 723 IH

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the classification of Dr. Shakil Afridi as a refugee of special humanitarian concern to the United States.

June 29, 2012

Mr. ROHRABACHER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the classification of Dr. Shakil Afridi as a refugee of special humanitarian concern to the United States.

Whereas, on September 11, 2011, nearly 3,000 innocent Americans were murdered in a terrorist attack planned and carried out by Al Qaeda;

Whereas at that time, the leader of Al Qaeda was Usama Bin Ladin;

Whereas for nearly 10 years, United States military forces, intelligence officials, and law enforcement officials attempted to locate Bin Ladin;

Whereas Bin Ladin was believed to be in a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan;

Whereas before taking action, United States military forces, intelligence officials and law enforcement officials wanted to ensure that Bin Ladin did in fact live in the compound;

Whereas at great risk to himself, Pakistani native Dr. Shakil Afridi aided the United States Government by conducting a ‘vaccination program’ in order to collect DNA samples from individuals inside the Abbottabad compound;

Whereas such aid was indispensable by helping to prove that Bin Ladin was living at the compound;

Whereas, on May 1, 2011, Usama Bin Ladin was killed by United States military forces at the compound in Abbottabad;

Whereas Dr. Afridi was arrested by Pakistani officials on May 22, 2011 and held for nearly a year without charge;

Whereas Dr. Afridi was convicted of those charges by a Pakistani tribal court and on May 23, 2012, sentenced to 33 years in prison and ordered to pay a $3,500 fine;

Whereas charges of treason are pending against Dr. Afridi in the Pakistani Supreme Court based on his involvement with the United States action to kill Bin Ladin;

Whereas were it not for the actions of Dr. Afridi, Usama Bin Ladin might still be alive and leading Al Qaeda;

Whereas, on January 29, 2012, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta stated that Dr. Afridi ‘helped provide intelligence that was very helpful with regards to this operation (to kill Usama Bin Ladin);’

Whereas Dr. Afridi’s life or freedom should not be in jeopardy for aiding in the operation to verify the whereabouts and ultimately kill Usama bin Ladin;

Whereas Americans and their allies are forever indebted to Dr. Afridi for his courageous actions; and

Whereas Dr. Afridi is suffering persecution as a result of his assistance to the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives calls on President Obama to classify Dr. Shakil Afridi as a refugee of special humanitarian concern to the United States and seek to resettle him in the United States.

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