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International Religious Freedom
The Office of International Religious Freedom has the mission of
promoting religious freedom as a core objective of U.S. foreign policy.
Headed by Ambassador-at-Large John Hanford for International
Religious Freedom, its Office Director and staff monitor religious
persecution and discrimination worldwide, recommend and implement policies
in respective regions or countries, and develop programs to promote
religious freedom.
Given the U.S. commitment to religious freedom, and to the
international covenants that guarantee it as the inalienable right of
every human being, the United States seeks to:
- Promote freedom of religion and conscience throughout the world as a
fundamental human right and as a source of stability for all countries;
- Assist newly formed democracies in implementing freedom of religion
and conscience;
- Assist religious and human rights NGOs in promoting religious
freedom;
- Identify and denounce regimes that are severe persecutors of their
citizens or others on the basis of religious belief.
The office carries out its mission through:
- The Annual Report on
International Religious Freedom. The report contains an
introduction, executive summary, and a chapter describing the status of
religious freedom in each of 195 countries throughout the world.
Mandated by, and presented to, the U.S. Congress, the report is a public
document available online and in book form from the U.S. Government
Printing Office.
- The designation by the Secretary of State (under authority delegated
by the President) of nations guilty of particularly severe violations of
religious freedom as "countries of particular concern" under the
International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (H.R. 2431)and its amendment
of 1999 (Public Law 106-55). Nations so designated are subject to
further actions, including economic sanctions, by the United States.
- Meetings with foreign government officials at all levels, as well as
religious and human rights groups in the United States and abroad, to
address problems of religious freedom.
- Testimony before the United States Congress on issues of
international religious freedom.
- Close cooperation with the independent
United States Commission on International Religious
Freedom.
- Sponsorship of reconciliation programs in disputes which divide
groups along lines of religious identity. The office seeks to support
NGOs that are promoting reconciliation in such disputes.
- Programs of outreach to American religious
communities.
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Highlights |
2005 International Religious Freedom
Report This annual report includes
individual country chapters on the status of religious freedom
worldwide. Secretary Rice's remarks;
briefing
by Ambassador-at-Large John Hanford.
Quick Links to
information about Countries of Particular
Concern. | |