Hudson Statement on Sri Lanka Terrorist Attack
April 22, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2019
Hudson Statement on Sri Lanka Terrorist Attack
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), a member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and vice-chair of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism, released the following statement regarding the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka:
“I am appalled by the horrific terrorist attacks that killed hundreds of innocent Christians – including four American citizens – on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka,” said Rep. Hudson. “Christians were targeted and murdered on one of our holiest days, marking a deeply troubling pattern of Christian persecution around the world. I strongly condemn persecution of any faith and will continue to stand for religious liberty. I’m also concerned by reports that Sri Lankan officials failed to act on intelligence and warnings of potential attacks by a radical Islamic terrorist group. As vice-chair of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism, I will continue to monitor the situation and remain committed to defeating this radical ideology. My wife Renee and I are praying for the victims and their families.”
The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, is an independent agency of the Federal Government charged with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advancing comprehensive security through promotion of human rights, democracy, and economic, environmental and military cooperation in 57 countries. The Commission consists of nine members from the U.S. Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce.
As a member of the Helsinki Commission, Congressman Hudson regularly represents the United States at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA), which facilitates inter-parliamentary dialogue among the participating States. He currently serves as a vice-chair of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism. He also co-chairs the Transatlantic Parliamentary Group, a transatlantic caucus that includes members of the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament and aims to assess international security threats, economic crises, and social issues. Through his leadership with the Commission, Commissioner Hudson is committed to combatting religious persecution and anti-Semitism, preventing human trafficking, tackling terrorism and promoting economic cooperation and free speech.
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Issues:Defense & National Security