CV NEWS FEED // Over 100 freedom advocates and organizations are urging the United States Senate to pass a resolution to condemn religious freedom violations across the globe and recognize religious freedom as a fundamental right.
The 113 religious freedom advocates and organizations associated with International Religious Freedom Roundtable that sent the letter to Maj. Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, and other Senate leaders included nonprofit legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom International, according to a news release Alliance issued on April 5 about the importance of passing the legislation.
Sens. Chris Coons, D-DE; James Lankford, R-OK; Tim Kaine, D-VA; and Thom Tillis, R-NC, introduced Senate Resolution 569 in March.
“(This resolution recognizes) religious freedom as a fundamental right, expressing support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and expressing concern over increased threats to and attacks on religious freedom around the world,” the resolution reads.
Through passing the resolution, legislators would recognize that religious freedom is a fundamental human right and crucial for supporting democracy and peace, condemn all efforts to suppress religious freedom and support religious freedom advocates.
The Senate would also urge the Department of State to continue working with allies on religious freedom; expand support for human rights activists, journalists, and civil society leaders working to protect religious freedom in countries of particular concern and Special Watch List countries; continue to impose sanctions on those who violate religious freedom; and promote religious freedom as a priority for the country in its foreign policy and trade agreements.
Legislators would also demand the Department “leverage all diplomatic and sanctions tools available to the United States Government to hold religious freedom violators accountable for their actions, including those authorized by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.”
The bipartisan resolution names Nigeria, Russia, China, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Nicaragua, among other countries, as violators of religious freedom.
“We have seen firsthand the increasing threats to religious freedom around the world described in the resolution,” the letter to the Senate leaders reads. “From ongoing genocides and mass atrocities perpetrated against religious minority groups, to individuals imprisoned and exiled for their faith and beliefs, from unjust restrictions on religious gatherings and practices, to the destruction of religious sites, these threats against both people of faith and no faith are not only grave violations of fundamental human rights, but also lead to instability, insecurity, and a lack of economic development.”
Sean Nelson, the Alliance’s legal counsel for global religious freedom, stated in the release that there has never been a more critical time to protect religious freedom.
“We are hopeful that U.S. influence on this important matter will encourage much needed change throughout the world,” Nelson stated. “No person should be punished or persecuted for their faith, and we pray for the day when all can worship and live out their faith freely.”
