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# Legislative Bulletin..............................................March 29, 2006

**Contents:**

**H.Res. 736**---Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
that legal action in Afghanistan

against citizens who have already converted or plan to convert to other
religions is deplorable and

unjust

**H.Res. 736---Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that
legal action in Afghanistan against citizens who have already converted
or plan to convert to other religions is deplorable and unjust (Pence,
R-IN)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 29^th^, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 736 would resolve that the House:

-   "condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the enforcement of laws
    against apostasy;

-   "requests the President to continue to work with the Government of
    Afghanistan to establish better protections for religious
    minorities, including converts to minority religions, and to enhance
    human rights protections in Afghanistan; and

-   "calls upon the Government of Afghanistan, and especially President
    Hamid Karzai, to continue to conform Afghan laws to Afghanistan's
    international human rights treaty obligations, thereby protecting
    Afghan citizens who have converted or plan to convert to other
    religions from prosecution."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: Abdul Rahman, an Afghan man who
left Afghanistan and converted to Christianity 16 years ago, was
arrested (and faces the death penalty) for this religious conversion
since returning to Afghanistan (where the law is based on Islamic law).
Although Rahman has since been released from prison, he apparently is
still subject to psychological evaluation for leaving Islam and becoming
a Christian. Rahman has asked for asylum in a Western nation. Media
reports indicate that Italy is a destination of interest at this time.

The resolution notes that Afghanistan has agreed to abide by
international agreements protecting the freedom of religion.
Additionally, the resolution notes that "the United States, at great
cost in blood and treasure, helped the people of Afghanistan liberate
themselves

from the tyranny of the Taliban and adopt free institutions and
practices, including respect for rule of law and internationally
recognized human rights."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: The resolution was introduced on
Tuesday, March 28^th^, and referred to the International Relations
Committee, which took no official action.

**[Administration Position]{.underline}**: Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice has been quoted in the media saying, "We\'ve been very
clear with the Afghan government that it has to understand the vital
importance of religious freedom to democracy."

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution would authorize no
expenditure.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Paul S. Teller,
<paul.teller@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-9718