A bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers led by U.S. Rep. French Hill (R-AR) recently urged President Joe Biden to quickly nominate an Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.
“An experienced, well-qualified Ambassador-at-Large leading the International Religious Freedom office within the State Department is vital for the success of the office’s efforts to monitor religiously motivated abuses and discrimination, develop and implement policies to address global religious freedom concerns, engage with nongovernmental organizations working to promote religious freedom, and fully engage and support the strategic global gathering of governments, faith communities, and civil society,” wrote the members in a May 4 letter sent to the president.
Among the seven lawmakers who joined Rep. Hill in signing the letter were U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), who also encouraged the president to appoint a director of International Religious Freedom within the National Security Council.
“This special adviser is key to the incorporation of religious freedom into our national security strategy and also serves as a liaison between the White House and the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Congress, and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom,” they wrote.
Additionally, Rep. Hill and the lawmakers recommended that the Biden administration collaborate with global partners on priorities within the international religious freedom space, including by leading efforts among government officials and civil society groups in partner countries to organize and grow strong and diverse coalitions that aim to protect and advance religious freedom, according to their letter.
“The freedom of religion is a fundamental right that Americans enjoy every day, but sadly is not respected by all governments or non-state actors around the world,” wrote the members. “The United States is a beacon of hope and freedom, and we must continue to be a leader in calling attention and responding to religious persecution wherever it occurs.”