Washington, D.C - Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) today delivered the following statement on the floor of the House concerning human rights and religious freedom in Morocco:

"I rise today to bring to the attention of my colleagues, the precarious situation of Christians and other religious minorities in Morocco. 

"In March, Moroccan authorities deported approximately 40 U.S. citizens and scores of other foreign nationals.  The individuals deported were charged with proselytism, which is against the law in Morocco.  However, Moroccan authorities have refused to turn over any evidence or offer any explanation of the charges.

"Among the individuals who were deported or denied reentry were businessmen, educators, humanitarian and social workers many of whom had resided in Morocco for over a decade in full compliance with the law.  Those deported were reportedly forced to leave the country within two hours of being questioned by authorities, leaving all their belongings behind. 

"As a result, a number of organizations which were run by foreign nationals and provided vital community services have been shuttered.  One organization which has been adversely affected is the Village of Hope orphanage in Morocco’s Atlas mountains.  Time magazine reported that ‘the Village of Hope deportations are part of what appears to be a widespread crackdown on Christian aid workers in Morocco.’

"A New Zealand native and staff of the orphanage, Chris Broadbent told Time that ‘most of the couples were there as foster parents and had raised these children since infancy.’

"Colorado couple Eddie and Lynn Padilla were among those expelled from the Village of Hope, forced to leave their two Moroccan sons behind.  Mr. Padilla told 9 News Colorado that his 2-year old son, Samir, ‘didn’t understand what was happening but knew it wasn’t good.’  He goes on to describe the heart wrenching story of their sudden separation and how Samir jumped into his father’s arms and cried ‘I want to go with you daddy.’ 

"The harsh nature of these expulsions calls into question the long standing friendship and mutual cooperation between the United States and Morocco dating back to the letter the Sultan of Morocco sent to George Washington at Valley Forge declaring that American vessels were permitted to enter Moroccan ports to quote ‘take refreshments and enjoy in them the same privileges and immunities as those of the other nations.’  This letter signified the first official recognition of our fledgling nation.

"I have worked with Moroccan and U.S. officials over the last two months in an attempt to find a satisfactory solution to this matter.  Unfortunately, the Moroccan government seems unwilling to compromise, as evidenced by a recent letter I received from a representative of the King.

"Earlier this week, 10 additional foreign nationals were asked to leave the country.  I feel it is my responsibility to speak out about the human rights abuses being perpetrated by the Moroccan government.  President Reagan modeled this approach by consistently speaking out on behalf of the persecuted and tirelessly defending human rights and religious freedom.

"Today I sent Secretary of State Clinton a letter asking her to issue a travel advisory for Morocco so that all U.S. citizens are aware of the potential risks.  Additionally, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, which I co-chair will hold a hearing on June 17 to further explore the issues of human rights and religious freedom in Morocco.

"I call on the government of Morocco to uphold its commitment to the principles of religious tolerance and freedom, that for so long, made it a model of tolerance and modernity in the Arab world.

"And I call on our embassy, the State Department and the White House to raise this issue with Moroccan authorities at the highest levels, and defend the interests and rights of these American citizens, like the Padilla family, who’s lives have been shattered by these events."
  

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Ali. C said:

Oh And american politicians are good at making breeze look like hurricane ! I hope the republicans won't make of us Sadams and Binladens !

05/28/10

Ali. C said:

Morocco is a muslim country. And a republican is a republican. Morocco is a muslim country. And a republican is a republican.

05/28/10

AminO said:

Out Kick those vermin out of my country. How could you draw start similarities between religious freedom and out right proselytizing in the same sentence? We all know the impetus behind this rhetoric. These deviant missionaries are furiously after converting our needy and unprivileged in Morocco, which is not going to happen. Take Jewish people for instance. They have been living as our neighbors in Moroccan neighborhoods with issues it all (or nearly no issues). In fact, they seeked protection from previous Moroccan kings after they were chased out by crusader Chritians and lived among us ever since. SO PLEASE MR. WOLF, JUST SAVE YOUR LIES! YOU ARE A FRONT SPEAKER FOR THE EVANGELICAL MACHINE. Thank you, We are to stay abreast of these

05/27/10

Saladin said:

The Profane Alliance: Story of the Village of Hope In the late 1990s, so the authentic version goes, two middle aged men came from overseas to a peaceful, pretty but poor Moroccan “Muslim” town called Ain Leuh. This pair of men, with the help of a few Moroccan money-hungry opportunists, arranged all the legal papers for an orphanage that was to be established in the outskirts of this modest town. These warlords were Errol Muller and Herman Boonstra, two landless and barely wise strangers- the first is South African and the second Dutch-. They were veteran Evangelists who had lost all kinds of clear vision when they decided to fight Muslims. In fact, they were so disillusioned by the corruption of each other that they tried vainly to kick one another off by hook or by crook. So sickened was Errol Muller by his “closest” co-operator that he summoned some other Evangelists and swore with them to rid VOH of the devil, Boonstra, who was destroying their dream : the establishment of an outpost of estranged 33 kids ready to be unleashed on the Muslim community in the years to come. In other words, the Evangelicals wanted to have a Zionist Christian minority inside our country capable of toppling the religious stability of our beloved Morocco, God forbid. The Strategy: On the local level, the whole group of Evangelists went from one bordello or knocking shop to another calling for she-volunteers: Wenches/prostitutes who were ready to get pregnant for money and willing to “donate “ the baby or the bastard to the institution which will make a priest out of him/her. To achieve these goals, they had to use a notorious townsman, a guy/gay or maybe pimp with some degree in “geography”. For his own benefit, we won’t mention his name. Anyway, the men who founded VOH (village of Hell) were no real ideologues, but the men who joined them, and who became their closest lieutenants were very much of a type, since some of them were the product of an Evangelist institution, while the others were ex-convicts. All of them Newborn Againers. What those Evangelists lost sight of was that right beneath them a lot of overwhelmingly law-abiding men and women were digging down the whole stuff/staff: you know the work of the devil can easily be washed away by water. Some patriotic Moroccans,”Moors” you might call them, have been doing the work of God simply to establish an alternative institution with strong Islamic moral Values. These are people who wish nothing more than to live in harmony with their Muslim and non-Muslim overseas neighbors. We want to see others embrace our faith, but are no more and no less bent on world domination than Christian Evangelicals who wish to see humankind “saved”. History teaches us that Evangelical theocracy does not work, because people simply will not put up with it. So footloose VOH Christian Evangelicals have been!!!!!!!!!!!! http://proudainleuh.blogspot.com/

05/24/10

morro yankee said:

@moroccan christian. lucky guy, you know if you were in the middle east or iran , you wouldn't be here period, and if you think that morocco , one day will all be a christian country, i think , you smoked so much of that bad moroccan weed, and you know for a fact that evengelical and judeo christians are ban in morocco, or perhaps you too high to notice

05/23/10

Moroccan Christian said:

what is this? I am very unhappy of what I am hearing these days. I have been christian for so long to understand the situation. I am completely confused and unhappy because we are out of this picture. we (Moroccan) are not complaining that our government is disturbing us even though we are still not prepared to be officially recognized. I don't know if the news is giving such situation a fair scores. I heard many missionaries that lived in Morocco for a decade and they never ever came up with any result exiled and complained. my dignity as christian disturbed by how such people started their businesses in Morocco. America, we are human, we are not goods, try to understand that our faith in Christ doesn't mean we have to stand with you if you are wrong. my bible is encouraging me to respect the government, and the government never disturbed or jailed a nationals for their faith. unless there is something wrong, for example Moroccan Gov put in jail many fanatics. anyway, I do pray for Morocco and I am speaking to God to allow nationals take this positions in stead of sending more people that just live in Morocco without any result. we Moroccan Christians are the investment and we know our culture and we can deal with it, and until now God is allowing us to succeed. I also think that what had happen is a warning from God, and a good lesson for us. I think Nationals are always saying thank you and we will never forget you guys (USA) and we want you to be a part of us, and we want to work together. I hope the message is clear and I hope you understand that I am speaking about our future (Morocco/USA and Christianity)

05/22/10

Sophia said:

... Proselytizing undermines freedom of religion.

05/21/10

DHJ said:

Yes to Accountability, No to Double Standards As much as I fully agree with Frank Wolf's statement and the principle of freedom of faith, I can't help but notice the double standards Wolf and his ilk when it comes to human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and other basic rights when Muslim Moroccans are the victims. Wolf is speaking because he is responding to pressure from US groups (perhaps the same individuals involved in the Casablanca Institute!), not because he cares about the principle of human rights and tolerance.

05/21/10

Dave said:

Accountability I agree. The least they could do is to give some evidence, and stand behind their claim. I know that is not how many countries operate, but there has to be some accounting for so many expulsions in such a short amount of time. Especially when the relations between the countries is good.

05/21/10

Morcelli said:

... As much as we love to hate this guy. He is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. The situation in Morocco needs to change and the judicial system needs to be revamped and repaired. Morocco needs to be held responsible when they do wrong to not only foreigners, but to Moroccans especially.

05/21/10

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