Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan upon the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister for Minorities, who courageously advocated for religious freedom and tolerance in Pakistan and calling on the United States to renew its efforts with international partners in the Human Rights Council and the United Nations General Assembly to promote religious freedom and tolerance in accordance with international human rights standards.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 10, 2011

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should: (1) include a working group on interfaith harmony and religious tolerance in U.S-Pakistan strategic dialogues to discuss ways to continue the vision of Shahbaz Bhatti (the assassinated Minister for Minorities); (2) urge the government of Pakistan to reform the blasphemy law in order to ensure it is no longer abused to limit the rights of Pakistanis, whether Muslims or religious minorities; (3) work with its partners in the United Nations (U.N.) to promote religious freedom and tolerance; (4) engage with its international partners to promote interreligious dialogue, religious freedom, and related human rights; and (5) call on the government of Pakistan and all other governments to continue the tradition of leadership and courage shown by Minister Bhatti in the fight against violent religious extremism.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · R–NJ

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

17 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Mar 29, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.
Mar 29, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia .
Mar 10, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mar 10, 2011
Introduced in House
Mar 10, 2011
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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Introduced in House · Mar 10, 2011 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Apr 28, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Analyze H.Res.164 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.Res.164, 112th Congress: Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan upon the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister for Minorities, who courageously advocated for religious freedom and tolerance in Pakistan and calling on the United States to renew its efforts with international partners in the Human Rights Council and the United Nations General Assembly to promote religious freedom and tolerance in accordance with international human rights standards.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/164

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-03-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hres164/BILLS-112hres164ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-28T11:25:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.Res.164 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Progressive lens

Examine H.Res.164 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.Res.164, 112th Congress: Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan upon the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister for Minorities, who courageously advocated for religious freedom and tolerance in Pakistan and calling on the United States to renew its efforts with international partners in the Human Rights Council and the United Nations General Assembly to promote religious freedom and tolerance in accordance with international human rights standards.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/164

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-03-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hres164/BILLS-112hres164ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-28T11:25:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.164 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.Res.164, 112th Congress: Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan upon the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister for Minorities, who courageously advocated for religious freedom and tolerance in Pakistan and calling on the United States to renew its efforts with international partners in the Human Rights Council and the United Nations General Assembly to promote religious freedom and tolerance in accordance with international human rights standards.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/164

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-03-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hres164/BILLS-112hres164ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-28T11:25:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.164 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Examine H.Res.164 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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Discuss H.Res.164, 112th Congress: Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan upon the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister for Minorities, who courageously advocated for religious freedom and tolerance in Pakistan and calling on the United States to renew its efforts with international partners in the Human Rights Council and the United Nations General Assembly to promote religious freedom and tolerance in accordance with international human rights standards.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/164

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-03-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hres164/BILLS-112hres164ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-28T11:25:50Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.164 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.