Kudos to a bipartisan group of U.S. senators who have introduced Senate Resolution 569 to reiterate that religious freedom is a core human right and should be a top priority of U.S. foreign policy.
Senate Resolution 569 is being promoted by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), James Lankford (R-OK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Thom Tillis (R-NC). It urges the Biden administration to use diplomatic and sanctions powers to hold countries accountable that routinely violate religious liberty.
This is, of course, a top JDFI priority. I have a personal interest in this issue as well, and was appointed by President Trump to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), where I served for three years.
In January, USCIRF publicly criticized the Biden State Department for its failure to designate Nigeria and India as countries guilty of severe violations of religious freedom. The Senate resolution specifically mentions those two nations, as well as religious freedom violations taking place in Pakistan, Nicaragua, Iran and Russia.
The bipartisan resolution is picking up momentum. One hundred thirteen religious freedom advocates, under the umbrella of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable, just sent a letter to the U.S. Senate urging quick passage of the resolution.
Alliance Defending Freedom International is one of the groups praising the resolution. Sean Nelson, legal counsel for Global Religious Freedom at ADF International, said, "We are grateful to the members of the U.S. Congress who have proposed this vital legislation, and we are hopeful that U.S. influence on this important matter will encourage much-needed change throughout the world."
JDFI urges you to call the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to the two senators representing your state. Tell them to support Senate Resolution 569 to uphold religious liberty.