A resolution recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right, expressing support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and expressing concern over increased threats to and attacks on religious freedom around the world.
This Senate resolution (S. Res. 52) proclaims that religious freedom is a fundamental human right and positions international religious freedom as a cornerstone of the United States’ foreign policy. It catalogs concerns about threats and violations against religious freedom worldwide and references existing U.S. law and designations that monitor or sanction such abuses (including the International Religious Freedom Act, the Global Magnitsky Act, and related State Department designations of countries of particular concern and special watch list countries). Although it does not create new legal obligations, it directs the executive branch to utilize diplomacy and sanctions to defend religious freedom, to support human rights defenders, and to prioritize religious freedom when engaging with partners, including in trade policy. The resolution serves as an explicit policy statement and moral and strategic guide for U.S. foreign policy, urging robust engagement, accountability, and the use of existing authorities to hold violators accountable. It also enumerates specific countries and types of abuses to illustrate the global scope of the problem, reinforcing a policy emphasis on protecting religious minorities and safeguarding freedom of belief and practice worldwide.
Key Points
- 1Recognizes freedom of religion as a fundamental human right and a foundational element of democracy, governance, and the rule of law, with a link to U.S. foreign policy objectives.
- 2Reaffirms and references existing frameworks and designations under U.S. law, including the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (country of particular concern and Special Watch List) and the Global Magnitsky Act, and notes the State Department’s CPC and Special Watch List designations as of recent dates.
- 3Documents extensive global violations and threats to religious freedom (including in Burma, China, Iran, India, Nigeria, Russia, North Korea, Pakistan, and Russia-occupied Ukraine areas, among others) and condemns efforts to suppress religious freedom (e.g., criminalization of religious practice, conversion, advocacy, or dissemination of religious materials).
- 4Urges the Department of State to engage robustly with allies and partners on religious freedom, expand support for human rights activists and civil society, and use diplomatic tools and sanctions to hold violators accountable under IRFA and the Global Magnitsky Act.
- 5Calls for consideration of human rights and religious freedom in prioritizing partners for free trade agreements and to elevate religious freedom as a foremost priority in U.S. foreign policy implementation.