FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2001

Contact: 
Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent government agency advising the Administration and Congress, will hold a hearing on Tuesday, November 27 in Washington, D.C., titled "Promoting Religious Freedom During the Campaign Against Terrorism." The hearing is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2226.

Background

The members of the Commission strongly condemn the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on September 11, 2001, and mourn the terrible loss of life sustained that day. The Commission supports the U.S. government's strong commitment to respond and stands with our country and the world in fighting terrorism.

The Commission is concerned, however, that in forging alliances against terrorism the United States not compromise its commitment to human rights - including religious freedom - and democracy. The Commission opposes such policy trade-offs and has sent this message to the Administration. The Commission is also exploring opportunities for the U.S. government to promote religious freedom in countries with whom we are cooperating in the campaign against terrorism.

To date, the confirmed witnesses and schedule are as follows:

9:00-9:15 Welcome and Introductory Remarks by Michael K. Young, Chair

Panel I:

9:15-10:15 The World After 9/11: A Strategic Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy?

Paula Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs

Morton Halperin, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations

Panel II:

10:20-11:50 Promoting Religious Freedom Within the New Post-9/11 Order: Country and Regional Concerns

Tamara Sonn, Professor, College of William and Mary

Mamoun Fandy, Professor, National Defense University

Amy Hawthorne, Soref Research Fellow, Washington Institute

Martha Brill Olcott, Senior Associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Sydney Jones, Executive Director, Asia Division, Human Rights Watch

Others to be announced

11:50-12:00      Break

Panel III:

12:00-1:30 Promoting Religious Freedom Within the New Post-9/11 Order: Policy Tools

Ambassador Robert Seiple, Institute for Global Engagement

Patrick Merloe, Senior Associate, National Democratic Institute

Georges Fauriol, Senior VP for Strategic Planning, International Republican Institute

Judith Seigel, Deputy Coordinator of Int'l Information Programs, State Department

Others to be announced