Nov 19, 2001
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:
9:00-9:15Welcome 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
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress." src="https://www.uscirf.org/images/layout/subbottomtext1.gif" />
Michael K. Young,Chair
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