More than 100 activists urge the Senate to designate religious freedom a 'fundamental right'
More than 100 defenders of religious freedom and groups from various religious backgrounds called on Congress to affirm religious freedom as a fundamental right by passing a resolution to recognize the global threats to religious freedom.
Bipartisan Senate Resolution 569, introduced by Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, aims to integrate religious freedom into US foreign policy and address global violations.
ADF International was among 113 religious freedom advocates and organizations under the International Religious Freedom Roundtable that signed on a letter sent to US Senate leaders urging them to pass the resolution “quickly”.
Get Our Latest For Free
Subscribe to receive a daily/weekly email with the best stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know.
“We have seen firsthand the growing threats to religious freedom around the world described in the resolution,” the letter reads.
“From ongoing genocides and mass atrocities committed 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 serious violations of fundamental human rights, but also lead to instability, insecurity, and lack of economic development.”
Introduced last month, Senate Resolution 569 aims to establish religious freedom as a core human right and a cornerstone of US foreign policy.
Led by Sens. Coons, James Lankford, R-Okla., Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Thom Tillis, RN.C., the resolution proposes using diplomatic and sanctions tools to hold violators accountable. The activists say the resolution “paints an accurate and disturbing portrait of the religious freedom situation in too many countries.
“Given that situation, the policy recommendations of the resolution are essential: promoting religious freedom as a 'top priority' in US foreign policy, holding violators accountable using all available diplomatic and sanctions tools, working with global partners, and expanding support for leaders and activists. working to protect religious freedom worldwide,” the letter says.
ADF International's Legal Counsel for Global Religious Freedom Sean Nelson cited widespread violations against faith communities.
“We are grateful to the members of the United States Congress who proposed this vital legislation, and we hope that American influence on this important issue will encourage much-needed change around the world,” he said in a statement.
Among other countries, the resolution specifically mentions religious freedom abuses in Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Nicaragua, Iran and Russia.
In Nigeria, the resolution criticizes the government's “enforcement of blasphemy laws embedded in the criminal and Shari'a codes of Nigeria” which resulted “in the arbitrary detention and imprisonment of those who express their religious identity.”
Violence has greatly affected Nigerian Christian communities in recent years, with ratings showing that thousands of Christians were killed for their faith last year, including targeted attacks in Plateau State during Christmas.
Last month, militants armed with AK-47s attacked a school in Nigeria's Kaduna state, kidnapping at least 287 students, marking the second large-scale kidnapping in Nigeria within a week and underscoring a deepening security crisis in the region.
The resolution criticizes “religiously discriminatory policies” in India that target “religious conversion, interfaith relations, the wearing of hijabs, and cow slaughter” carried out at the national, state and local levels. These laws “negatively affect the livelihoods of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits and Adivasis.”
In January, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom criticized the US State Department for failing to designate India and Nigeria as “countries of special concern” for tolerating or engaging in severe violations of religious freedom.
In Nicaragua, the government targeted religious leaders who spoke out against the government. Bishop Rolando Álvarez, sentenced to 26 years for his advocacy before his release and exile in January, represents the wider crackdown on religious figures in the country.
In Pakistan, the resolution notes the severe challenges faced by religious minorities, including killings, forced conversions and sexual violence.
In Russia, the resolution says “terrorism and extremism laws are used to target religious minorities such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims, and members of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church for their beliefs.”
“No person should be punished or persecuted for their faith, and we pray for the day when everyone can worship and live their faith freely,” Nelson said.
Source: www.christianpost.com