[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1935-H1938] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. OWENS: I have the honor and privilege to stand in the House today to highlight the courage of a young man, Enes Kanter Freedom, who has dealt with the tyranny of a country that he came from. Since becoming an American citizen, he decided to stand for those who do not have the voices that we have here. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for being here to share these moments with us, and to educate the American people to the fact that freedom is something we have to fight for. Not only here, but everywhere, there is a voice that is speaking for the things we sometimes take for granted. Mr. Speaker, I am very, very proud to highlight Enes Kanter Freedom's journey. The fight exposes tyranny in Turkiye and China. I encourage those who are watching to tune in so we can support and help those that are truly voiceless in these other countries. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. De La Cruz). Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today before you as a south Texan and an American to speak out against the human rights violations being committed in Turkiye.  {time}  1945  The Turkish Government, under the leadership of President Erdogan, has been suppressing the basic human rights of its citizens for far too long. As we gather here today, thousands of innocent individuals in Turkiye are being unjustly detained, tortured, and subjected to inhumane treatment. Turkish authorities have shown no regard for the basic rights and freedoms that we take for granted here in our country. We have heard reports of journalists being arrested and imprisoned simply for speaking out against the government. Teachers, academics, and activists have all faced similar fates. There are countless cases of people being detained and held without trial or evidence. This is not acceptable in any society, let alone one that claims to be a democracy. However, we are not here just to talk. We are here to demand action from President Biden and insist that he put the interests of the American people first and take time to listen to Turkish Americans, such as professional basketball player Enes Freedom, who has been a vocal advocate for human rights in Turkiye. Enes has been tirelessly fighting for the rights of the Turkish people, and he has even faced persecution for doing so. He was forced to give up his passport and feared for his life after being accused of being a terrorist for simply speaking out against the government. We cannot stand by and watch as innocent people are being subjected to such brutality. Our top priority as Members of Congress is to care for the American people. The Biden administration has an entire State Department that is supposed to advance our interests around the world. It is time for the Biden administration to do its job. We respect the sovereignty of other nations, but the human rights violations in Turkiye can no longer be ignored. We are all God's children. Let us continue to fight for a world where the human rights of all men, women, and children are respected, regardless of where they come from.