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.
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Dean Michael K. Young,Chair
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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
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Nov 17, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2003
Contact:
Anne Johnson, Director of Communications, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27
November 18 USCIRF hearing on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON - Last week the Saudi government said that it does not fund radical madrassas. Numerous credible reports suggest otherwise. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has reportedly raised the issue of whether the United States should combat the madrassas as part of its efforts to combat terrorism. His deputy, Under Secretary Paul Wolfowitz has described madrassas as "schools that teach hatred, schools that teach terrorism." The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended that Congress authorize and fund a public study to determine whether the Saudi government is directly or indirectly funding efforts to propagate globally, including in the United States, an ideology that promotes hate, intolerance, and other human rights violations, and in some cases violence, toward members of other religious groups, both Muslim and non-Muslim. What we seek are facts - whether they vindicate or implicate Saudi Arabia. This hearing will be a step in that process.
WHAT:"Is Saudi Arabia a Strategic Threat: the Global Propagation of Intolerance"
WHEN:Tuesday, November 18, 2003, 9:30a.m. - 11:30a.m.
WHERE:253 Russell Senate Office Building
The Commission will hear testimony from the following confirmed participants:
The Honorable David Aufhauser , former General Counsel, U.S. Department of the Treasury and Chair of National Security Council Policy Coordinating Committee on Terrorist Financing.
Robert Baer , former CIA operative and author of Sleeping with the Devil: How Washington Sold Our Soul for Saudi Crude.
Ambassador Martin Indyk , Director, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, The Brookings Institution, and former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.
Dr. Mai Yamani , Research Fellow, Middle East Program, Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, London.
View the Hearing Transcript
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.
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Dean Michael K. Young,Chair
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