For 25th year, US State Department reports on threats, triumphs in religious freedom
United StatesRNS US State Department officials continued to point to religious freedom atrocities in Russia, China and Afghanistan as they released their annual report on threats to religious liberties across the globe. “Far too many governments continue to freely target faith community members within their borders,” said Rashad Hussain, ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, at […]
In the US, Biden unveils picks for key religious freedom roles
Washington DC, USAP The White House announced a slate of nominations and appointments for top religious affairs roles on Friday, including the first Muslim American nominated to be the US ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom. President Joe Biden will select Rashad Hussain as his nominee for that post, filling a State Department slot vacant since […]
ESSAY: IN THE US, IT’S TIME FOR DEMOCRATS TO START TALKING ABOUT INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
In an article first published by Religion News Service, PETER HENNE, director of Middle East studies in the Global and Regional Studies Program at the University of Vermont, argues that the issue of international religious freedom represents an opportunity for Democractic presidential candidates…
ESSAY: IN CAMEROON, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CAN’T BE SEPARATED FROM POLITICS
US political scientist and Baptist minister R DREW SMITH, in an article first published on Religion News Service, calls for a re-evaluation of the criteria used within international religious freedom circles for assessing and advancing freedom around the world…
US religious freedom ambassador wants “like-mindeds” at religious freedom summit; violators need not RSVP
Washingtonm, DCRNS China, Iran and other countries that the US considers the most egregious religious liberty violators aren’t invited to the State Department’s second summit on religious freedom this week, said Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback. Instead, the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom will focus on countries that have at least begun to […]
“Push it hard” – US ambassador for religious freedom addresses religious freedom on law’s 20th anniversary
Washington DC, USRNS The US ambassador for religious freedom called for renewed activism on protecting faiths around the globe on Friday as religious liberty advocates gathered in the nation’s capital to mark the 20th anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act. “We should push and we should push it hard,” said Sam Brownback at the […]
US State Department religious freedom summit ends with commitments, critiques
RNS The US State Department concluded its first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom on Thursday, with declarations promising further efforts to reduce religious persecution, even as critics said they are waiting to see its statements turned into actions. Closing the meeting of some 350 government officials, religious freedom advocates and others from more than 80 […]
ESSAY: A RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SUMMIT CAN’T UNDO TRUMP’S RECORD ON ISLAM
In an article first published on Religion News Service, JACOB LUPFER, a US commentator on religion and politics, says it is critical gatherings like this week’s Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom hold the White House to account for its failures to stand up for everyone affected by religious persecution…