Amata Highlights Religious Freedom and Congressional Testimony

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata on Thursday took part in a congressional hearing titled: Stopping the Bloodshed: U.S. Response to Crimes Against Humanity in Sudan.

The hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's (HFAC) Africa Subcommittee was led by Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ), who has served in the House for 44 years, and has been the House's leading champion of human rights and religious freedom.

Testifying on a panel were U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, former U.S. Senator from Kansas; Tony Perkins, former chairman, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF); Ken Isaacs, Samaritan's Purse; and Nicole Widdersheim, Human Rights Watch. Also testifying was the U.S. State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Vincent Spera.

"I've known Ambassador Brownback since 1994, and I've served for years with Chairman Smith, two leading champions for religious freedom issues for so many years, who have my respect and appreciation," said Congresswoman Amata. "I was humbled last year to speak on the House floor on the importance of religious freedom efforts and the reauthorization of USCIRF. Ambassador Brownback has an essential role as America's primary voice for religious freedom abroad, and serves as an ex officio member of USCIRF, created by Congress to speak out on behalf of persecuted believers of anyfaith."

"The population of Sudan is suffering deeply from terrible violence, especially the Christian population, and the testimony of these atrocities and famine can be difficult to even hear," continued Congresswoman Amata. "They need our prayers and our help, and the world must know of their plight. I appreciate the commitment of Chairman Smith and these witnesses to make sure these dear people in Sudan are not forgotten."

Amata spoke on the House floor on September 23, 2024, emphasizing the importance of U.S. efforts to protect religious freedoms worldwide, while serving as Floor Manager for House passage of the reauthorization of USCIRF, S. 3764, a bipartisan effort which passed by a vote of 365-20. (Video of her floor speech at the time is available HERE.)

In his opening statementfor the hearing, Chairman Smith said, "Sudan is under the darkest of clouds, a catastrophe that has, for far too long, been met with paralysis by the international community. The people of Sudan have been subjected to unbearable pain, suffering, and loss of life-even slavery for decades," continuing later in his remarks, "(This) hearing is a global call to action. We must demand an immediate cessation of hostilities, but peace cannot be purchased at the price of justice and accountability."

###