Chairman Risch Gives Remarks on International Religious Freedom, Calls out Persecution of Christians

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today gave remarks at a hearing before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on Christian Persecution worldwide.

Chairman Risch gave the following remarks:

"Thank you, Madam Chairman, and thank you for having me here today to say a few things. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge my colleague and good friend, Senator Budd, who is a real leader on this issue in the United States Senate and I'm proud to work with him on this really important issue. And thank you for convening this hearing. Religious persecution around the globe is a grave issue, and the persecution of Christians is particularly important to many of us here today.

"Religious freedom is a cornerstone of the founding of the United States of America, and the right to freedom of belief reinforces all other fundamental freedoms we enjoy as Americans. That's why when we see persecution against our brothers and sisters of faith at home or abroad, we need to speak out. Our rights come from God, but it is the responsibility of our government to protect them. But around the world, we see governments clearly failing that duty.

"China continues to carry out policies of genocide and cultural erasure against Muslim Uyghurs and Tibetan Buddhists, destroys crosses and churches, and replaces images of Jesus Christ with Xi Jinping. Just last week, Chinese authorities ramped up their recent attacks on Christian house churches in China, detaining more believers of the Early Rain Covenant Church simply for daring to practice their inalienable right to freedom of religion. This is in addition to the detention of even more Christians late last year.

"For too many across Africa, faith is met with fear and repression. Christian leaders are being attacked, and worshipers are persecuted for their faith. Acts of terrorism, the failure of governments to protect vulnerable communities of faith, and open hostility toward worshipers by state and nonstate actors on the continent must come to an end.

"And in the Middle East, Christians face persecution, oppression, and restrictive laws. Populations of Christians in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and elsewhere have plummeted over the last few decades because of these repressive policies. Non-state actors, like ISIS, continue their campaigns of terror targeting Christians and others.

"Lastly, I know we are focused on the important subject of the persecution of Christians, but we would be remiss to not acknowledge our friends of the Jewish faith are suffering as well. As antisemitism rises around the globe, we must recommit, as people of faith, to religious freedom for all.

"As many of our guests know all too well, there are many places around the world where being a Christian or a person of faith is a death sentence or a cause for harm.

"In my work as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I am committed to standing up for those who are oppressed simply for having the courage to live out their faith In God and their God-given rights.

"I'm very grateful for the work of this commission and look forward to working with you in the future.

"Thank you again so much for having me here."

These remarks have been lightly edited for clarity. The entirety of this hearing is available on uscirf.gov.

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