Dec 5, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2003
Contact:
Anne Johnson, Director of Communications, (202) 523-3240 (202) 523-3240, ext. 27
WASHINGTON - The Egyptian government weekly October published an article in which U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Commissioner Khaled Abou El Fadl was quoted as having allegedly made statements criticizing President Bush. These alleged statements are distortions and fabrications, according to Commissioner El Fadl. Moreover, these alleged statements do not in any way reflect the views of the Commission. Excerpts of the article translated into English were published on November 26, 2003 on the Web site of the Middle East Media Research Institute.
In a December 1, 2003 written statement, Commissioner El Fadl said, "The quotes attributed to me are an outrageous fabrication and distortion and far exceed the limits of believability. I do not espouse these views, nor are they consistent with my published views as a matter of extensive public record. I support President Bush and his efforts to build positive relations and democratic systems in the Middle East, and will continue to give my best efforts to ensure his success. I am speaking with my attorney about what legal options to pursue against October."
"We value the contribution Commissioner El Fadl is making to the work of the Commission and look forward to his contributions in the future. Most recently, on behalf of the Commission, he published an important article in the Wall Street Journal addressing the terrorist ideology supported by Saudi Arabia," said USCIRF Chair Michael K. Young.
Below is the text of Commissioner El Fadl's public statement on the October article:
PERSONAL STATEMENT OF DR. KHALED ABOU EL FADL
December 1, 2003
On November 26, 2003, The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) issued their Special Dispatch Series No. 616, which consisted of excerpts from an interview that I supposedly gave to October Magazine, an Egyptian government weekly. According to the MEMRI translated excerpts, I warn against the reelection of President Bush, I make numerous derogatory claims about the Bush administration and its policies in the Middle East, and I tout my own apparently hyper-inflated role within the administration. Specifically, I am cited as referring to President Bush and his administration as a group of Christian fundamentalists with colonialist policies toward the Middle East; as asserting that this administration will invade Syria and Iran if the president is reelected; as having said I heard testimony in Congress that 20 percent of the U.S. troops in Iraq suffer from mental conditions; and as playing an absurdly singular role in determining American military policy, including the deployment plan to withdraw troops from Iraq, among other claims. The quotes attributed to me are an outrageous fabrication and far exceed the limits of believability. I do not espouse these views, nor are they consistent with my published views as a matter of extensive public record. Some of the quotes are simply ridiculous and idiotic. I support President Bush and his efforts to build positive relations and democratic systems in the Middle East, and will continue to give my best efforts to ensure his success.
As a member of the Board of Directors of Human Rights Watch, I work to protect human rights around the world. As an American lawyer, I regularly work with the U.S. government and private firms to prosecute terrorism cases against al-Qaeda and in support of the victims of 9/11. As an Islamic scholar, I have testified in court to defend the religious rights of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Atheists, Baha'is, Jehovah's Witnesses and many others. As a member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, I have extended my efforts to ensure the religious freedoms of those around the world.
Finally, as a citizen who is proud to be American, I respect and believe in an individual's right to speak his or her mind and conscience, and to be quoted accurately. I can only hope that people will have the integrity not to attribute to me what I do not say or believe.
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."
|
Dean Michael K. Young,Chair
|
Nov 21, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2003
Contact:
Anne Johnson, Director of Communications, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27
WASHINGTON - The U. S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commends the House of Representatives for passing, and Representative Frank Wolf for introducing, House Resolution 423 recognizing the 5th anniversary of the signing of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) and urging a renewed commitment to eliminating violations of the internationally recognized right to freedom of religion and protecting fundamental human rights.
The Commission also commends the Senate for passing, and Senator Sam Brownback for introducing, in October Senate Resolution 251 designating October 27, 2003, as "International Religious Freedom Day." The legislation also requests that the President issue a proclamation calling for a renewed commitment to eliminating violations of the internationally recognized right to freedom of religion and protecting fundamental human rights, and calling upon the people of the United States and interested groups and organizations to observe International Religious Freedom Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
"This legislation will help to keep religious freedom at the forefront of foreign policy," said USCIRF Chair Michael K. Young. "Freedom of thought, conscience and religion protects everyone's choice in what many believe to be the most important and deeply-held aspect of human identity. It requires governments to respect manifestations of that choice, and to protect each individual from harassment or violence on account of that choice. It is one of the first freedoms restricted by authoritarian and repressive governments who would replace individual conscience with unquestioned loyalty to the state. Advancing respect for the internationally-guaranteed right to freedom of religion serves U.S. interests to promote stable, democratic governments around the world."
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.
|
Dean Michael K. Young,Chair
|
Nov 21, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2003
Contact:
Anne Johnson, Director of Communications, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commends the House of Representatives for passing, and in particular Congresswomen Loretta Sanchez for introducing, House Resolution 427 expressing support for the courageous leadership of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam and the urgent need for religious freedom and related human rights in Vietnam.
"The Commission believes that the passage of House Resolution 427 will send an important message to the Vietnamese government, that better relations between our two countries will only be achieved when there are notable improvements in human rights," said USCIRF Vice Chair Nina Shea.
The Vietnamese government has shown, again and again, that it is determined to suppress religious freedom and maintain strict control over speech, including the media and Internet. There is incontrovertible evidence that the Vietnamese government has initiated crackdowns on religious leaders and believers, free speech advocates, political reformers, and those championing the rights of ethnic minorities.
Said Shea, "Advancing free speech, free press, and freedom of religion represents not only core American values but also international standards of human rights-standards that the Vietnamese have already acceded to in various international treaties and covenants. Working to protect and promote these basic freedoms furthers the interests of both the United States and the people of Vietnam."
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.
Dean Michael K. Young,Chair
|