Advancing International Religious Freedom
This executive order, titled Advancing International Religious Freedom (Executive Order 13926, June 2, 2020), directs the United States to treat religious freedom as a central foreign policy priority and to actively promote it abroad. It requires the State Department and USAID to plan and implement policies, programs, and diplomacy that advance international religious freedom, and it directs the use of funding, training, and economic tools to support those goals. The order emphasizes engaging with civil society, integrating religious freedom into diplomatic efforts, and using sanctions or other tools as needed to address violations. The order creates concrete steps: prioritize religious freedom in policy and foreign aid planning, set a minimum funding level for related programs, ensure non-discrimination in foreign funding for faith-based groups, require targeted diplomacy and action plans in specific countries, train federal personnel on international religious freedom concepts, and consider economic measures (including sanctions) to pressure violators. It also defines key terms and notes that the order must align with existing law and available appropriations. In short, it elevates religious freedom as a policy lever in U.S. foreign affairs and provides a framework for government action to protect and promote it globally.
Key Points
- 1Policy priority and civil-society engagement: Religious freedom is a core foreign-policy objective, and the U.S. will actively engage with civil society groups abroad to shape policy and programs.
- 2Foreign assistance funding and non-discrimination: At least $50 million per fiscal year should be allocated to programs advancing international religious freedom (to the extent feasible and lawful and subject to appropriations). Agencies must not discriminate against faith-based or religious entities when awarding foreign assistance, to the extent permitted by law.
- 3Diplomacy and action planning: Chiefs of Mission in designated countries (e.g., countries of particular concern, Special Watch List, or those with violations noted in the annual religious freedom report) must develop comprehensive action plans to advance religious freedom and encourage host governments to address violations.
- 4Training for federal officials: State Department personnel must receive international religious freedom training, with plans due within 90 days for overseas staff, and all relevant federal employees must complete the training at least every three years.
- 5Economic tools and potential sanctions: The administration should explore using economic measures to promote religious freedom (including reallocating aid or restricting visas), and may consider sanctions under existing authorities when appropriate.