RELEASE: HILL, MCGOVERN INTRODUCE RESOLUTION AFFIRMING U.S. LEADERSHIP ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ABROAD

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) and Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02) introduced a bipartisan resolution reaffirming the United States' commitment to advancing religious freedom abroad and calling attention to countries recommended by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for placement on the State Department's Special Watch List (SWL) due to severe violations of religious freedom.

Congressman Hill said, "Religious freedom is a foundational American value and a basic human right, and we cannot turn a blind eye when people around the world are persecuted simply for exercising their faith. This resolution puts countries on notice that the United States will continue to call out religious oppression wherever it exists. We have a responsibility to use our voice and our influence to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves, and I am proud to take the lead on this issue alongside my colleague, Representative McGovern."

Congressman Jim McGovern said, "International law guarantees all people the right to freedom of religion or belief. This year, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended the placement of twelve countries on the State Department's Special Watch List due to their governments' failure to guarantee that right. I am proud to join Representative Hill in introducing this resolution to affirm that the U.S. must lead when it comes to religious freedom."

Background
The United States codified its commitment to promoting religious liberty abroad through the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, which made religious freedom a priority of U.S. foreign policy.

This resolution draws attention to countries designated by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) as recommended for placement on the U.S. Department of State's Special Watch List (SWL). The SWL identifies foreign countries with "severe violations of religious freedom" that do not meet the stricter criteria for Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) but still require close monitoring.

The resolution focuses on the following foreign countries that USCIRF has recommended for the SWL: Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.

The resolution calls on the House of Representatives to:

• Affirm the United States' leadership in promoting religious freedom around the world.
• Urge the Department of State to engage robustly with allies and international partners on issues related to religious liberty.
  
• Affirm the importance of the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism

This resolution strengthens U.S. efforts to defend religious freedom globally and hold foreign countries accountable that violate religious freedom.

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