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1 1 (July 2, 2019)

handle is hein.crs/govbadm0001 and id is 1 raw text is: ~ Inf1r. inn the leiltvedbt, sne11 S Updated July 2, 2019 Global Human Rights: International Religious Freedom Policy Introduction For decades, U.S. policymakers have sought to promote religious freedom abroad, reflecting both support for human rights in U.S. foreign policy as well as the particular emphasis on freedom of religion in U.S. domestic law and political culture. Protection of religious freedom is also affirmed in international law through the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and other instruments. Congress has been a strong advocate for international religious freedom issues and has sought to ensure U.S. support for religious freedom as a focus of U.S. foreign policy, most prominently through passage of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. Legislative Background The International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998 (P.L. 105-292) is the foundational legislation for U.S. international religious freedom (IRF) policy. Recognizing religious freedom as a universal human right, IRFA created various government mechanisms aimed at cementing IRF as a foreign policy priority of the United States. Most significantly, the law * created an Office on International Religious Freedom within the State Department headed by an Ambassador at Large (AAL) for IRF; * required that the Secretary of State issue an annual report on the status of religious freedom around the world; * mandated that the President identify countries of particular concern (CPCs) and prescribed punitive actions in response to violations of religious freedom, subject to presidential waiver authority; and * created an independent U.S. commission on international religious freedom. Congress has subsequently strengthened IRFA via amendment, notably through the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act (Wolf IRFA; P.L. 114-281), which became law in December 2016. The major provisions of the law * called for the AAL for IRF to have a greater role within interagency policy processes and to report directly to the Secretary of State; * mandated designation of a special watch list of countries with severe violations of religious freedom but that did not meet CPC criteria; * mandated designation of nonstate entities of particular concern (EPCs); and * included within the scope of religious freedom the right not to profess or practice any religion. The State Department's Role The State Department leads the federal government's efforts to promote international religious freedom. The AAL for IRF heads the Office on International Religious Freedom (IRF Office). Per IRFA, the AAL integrates IRF policies into U.S. foreign policy efforts and is to participate in any interagency processes in which the promotion of IRF can advance United States national security interests. The AAL and the IRF Office lead the drafting of the annual international religious freedom report and advise the Secretary of State on the designation of CPCs. The IRF Office also provides policy guidance for IRF foreign assistance programs. Former Senator and Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, confirmed by the Senate in January 2018, serves as the current AAL. Other senior positions related to religious freedom include the congressionally mandated positions of Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating anti-Semitism (currently held by Elan S. Carr) and Special Advisor for Religious Minorities in the Near East and South/Central Asia (situated in the IRF Office, and currently held by Knox Thames). In the past, relevant positions have also included a Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs and a Special Representative to Muslim Communities. In June 2019, Secretary of State Pompeo announced that the State Department was elevating the IRF Office and the Office of the Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating anti-Semitism by designating that these offices report directly to the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. The offices had previously been situated within the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Pursuant to IRFA, the AAL for IRF continues to report to the Secretary of State. Proposed Legislation in the I 16t Congress on the Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating anti-Semitism S. 238 and H.R. 221, if passed, would make the Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating anti-Semitism an Ambassador-ranked position appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Under current law, the Secretary of State has authority to appoint the Special Envoy. Iernatio na Re gousFreedom Report The international religious freedom (IRF) report, which is statutorily required by May 1 each year, covers developments in each foreign country during the prior calendar year and includes information on the status of religious freedom, violations of religious freedom, and relevant U.S. policies. The IRF report is the official U.S. government account of religious freedom conditions abroad, and is a primary information source for the Secretary of State's country of particular concern designations. The report covering calendar year 2018, https:/Icrsreports.congress.gol

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