Military

DATE=11/27/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS/AFGHAN WOMEN (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-283598

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The House of Representatives has passed (by voice vote) legislation that calls on the president to ensure that any U-S humanitarian aid to Afghanistan reaches women and girls, as well as men and boys. The symbolic measure, which was passed by the Senate earlier this month, allowed lawmakers to underscore their concern for the plight of Afghan women, who, human rights groups say, bore the brunt of five years of oppressive Taleban rule. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

TEXT: The bill's sponsors condemned the Taleban for closing schools to girls, and denying women and girls access to hospitals and treatment by male physicians, while prohibiting female doctors from working.

With Taleban rule eroding under the U-S-led military campaign in Afghanistan, U-S lawmakers are underscoring the need to restore basic human rights to Afghan women and girls. They hope the legislation passed by the House Tuesday is a step in that direction.

Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida is head of the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights and a sponsor of the bill.

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The legislation before us is about helping to save lives by focusing U-S assistance on providing basic medical care to the women and children inside Afghanistan and those living in refugees camps outside the beleaguered country. This bill is about helping secure a future of hope and prosperity for women and children by calling on the president to provide educational assistance to these two critical sectors of Afghan society. It lays the groundwork for democratic principles as it requires the protection and promotion of human rights for all the people of Afghanistan.

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The bill now goes to President Bush for his expected signature. The Bush administration in recent weeks has highlighted its commitment to ensuring that human rights are restored to Afghan women and girls. First Lady Laura Bush also underscored the point on Tuesday. (signed)

NEB/DAT/TW