Congress Takes Encouraging, Bipartisan Steps on International Religious Freedom

Congress Takes Encouraging, Bipartisan Steps on International Religious Freedom

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the introduction of H.Res 738. This resolution demonstrates the bipartisan commitment of the U.S. House of Representatives to advance freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) as a human right and its centrality to a robust foreign policy.

"I am so encouraged that Rep. French Hill (R-AR) and Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) introduced H.Res 738. It shows how leaders continue to work together across the aisle to advance religious freedom abroad," said Chair Vicky Hartzler. "Focusing on those countries USCIRF has recommended for the Special Watch List (SWL) is needed and timely. These governments, which actively engage with the U.S. government, are violating the religious freedom of their citizens. Now is the time for these governments to take needed steps to reverse course and embrace religious freedom, which is not just the right thing to do according to international standards, but which also promotes economic prosperity and security for their countries."

The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 as amended mandates USCIRF to recommend that the Secretary of State make Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designations for particularly severe violations of religious freedom defined by three criteria: that the violations are ongoing, systematic, and egregious. USCIRF recommends Special Watch List (SWL) designations for countries with severe violations, that is where the Commission finds two of those criteria are met but not all three.

"Many countries that USCIRF recommends for the SWL have robust relationships with the United States," said Vice Chair Asif Mahmood, "If passed, H.Res 738 would clarify that the U.S. House of Representatives expects to see not only engagement but progress on FoRB issues with those countries not only placed on the SWL by the U.S. Department of State, but also recommended for SWL by USCIRF."

In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF called for twelve countries to be designated as SWL. The current designations made by former Secretary of State Antony Blinken in 2023 are for only five countries. There were no designations made during the last year of the Biden Administration, and Secretary Rubio has yet to make the designations for the Trump Administration. USCIRF has also called for a swift confirmation processes of FoRB related executive branch officials.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress, intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].