Written by Don ByrdIn 2006, Vietnam was removed from the U.S. State Department’s list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) following the country’s softening of religious persecution. Unfortunately, the step forward may not have lasted. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom recommends Vietnam’s return to the CPC list.
President Truong Tan Sang is visiting the White House today to meet with President Obama, and met with Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday. Many advocates are urging the White House to use this occasion to press the President on the issues of religious liberty and free speech.
Written by Don ByrdThe Catholic News Weekly The Tablet relays findings from a new report on international religious persecution.
Written by Don ByrdChurch-state columnist Charles Haynes says Egypt demonstrates why democracy must include individual freedoms to do any good.
Written by Don ByrdThe Pew Forum reports that religious freedom has not increased in the Middle East, despite hopes that the Arab Spring would lead to less religious oppression. A new study demonstrates continuing government hostility to religion and an alarming increase in social unrest along religious lines.
Written by Don Byrda House Oversight subcommittee yesterday held a hearing on the government’s implementation of the International Religious Freedom Act. That legislation, enacted in 1998, established the US Commission on International Religious Freedom as well as the Religious Freedom Ambassador at-Large position within the State Department. Since then, questions over the role of these congressionally-mandated entities in U.S. foreign policy has caused some strain between the Executive and Legislative branches. (The Commission and State Department each issue separate international religious freedom reports, the Commission often makes recommendations regarding policy toward a country that the State Department does not follow, etc.) During recent budget negotiations, some in the U.S. Senate strongly considered de-authorizing the Commission altogether.
It is not completely surprising, then, that some members of Congress feel the Administration is not making proper use of IRFA.
