International Religious Freedom Day

WASHINGTON, D.C – Twenty-two years ago, on October 27, 1998, the International Religious Freedom Act was signed into law. The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 was bipartisan legislation to promote religious freedom as a foreign policy of the United States, to promote greater religious freedom in countries which engage in or tolerate violations of religious freedom, and to advocate on the behalf of individuals persecuted for their religious beliefs and activities in foreign countries. Today, in recognition of International Religious Freedom Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, will present, “Religious Freedom in the Age of COVID-19 and Beyond” as they discuss efforts to protect religious freedom domestically and abroad.

The virtual event begins at 1 p.m. ET today and includes U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, Director of the Office of Civil Rights Roger Severino, Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Claire Murray, Ambassador Andrew Bremberg and Former Vice Chair for U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Kristina Arriaga. In his statement Ambassador Brownback wrote, “Born of the vision of America’s founders, our government understood that an individual, irrespective of their religion or beliefs, should be free to organize their lives in accordance with their consciences. Religious freedom and other themes of human dignity are – and will always remain – a core U.S. foreign policy priority. And the world has taken notice. Yet today, three of the world’s most egregious religious freedom abusers – the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Iran, and North Korea – have tightened their coercive measures to silence their own people. Worse, the PRC has sought to eradicate all forms of faith and belief that don’t align with Chinese Communist Party doctrine.” “Conversely, since the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) launched in February 2020, 31 nations have pledged their commitment to this like-minded network dedicated to addressing challenges around the world. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries have released individuals, wrongfully imprisoned on account of their beliefs, allowing them to reunite with their families, and we urge others to follow suit. A global movement on religious freedom is now a reality – one rich in regional, cultural, and political diversity – testifying to a universal, unequivocal truth: every person, everywhere, has the right to believe or not believe, change one’s beliefs, speak one’s beliefs, gather and teach. On this International Religious Freedom Day, the United States is proud to promote and protect religious freedom,” said Brownback. In 2016, Congress voted unanimously to pass the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, an amendment to the 1998 law. The amendment, named after one of Congress’ most vocal champions of religious liberty, improves U.S. religious freedom diplomacy efforts globally, better trains and equips diplomats to counter extremism, addresses anti-Semitism and religious persecution, and mitigates sectarian conflict. Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “I am proud that U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback and the Trump administration are making great strides toward advancing religious freedom throughout America and the world. Innocent people are imprisoned, tortured and persecuted for their faith. I’m grateful for leaders who are protecting people of faith instead of trying to control them.”