An official of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) says Congress should consider imposing sanctions on countries where Christians are undergoing persecution.
Elliott Abrams of the USCIRF has told Congress the United States should consider economic sanctions on countries where Christians are undergoing persecution.
The Washington Times quotes Abrams as saying a “case-by-case analysis” could be used in determining sanctions.”
Abrams has also told Congress that he is urging the Obama administration to appoint an Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom within the State Department.
Abrams is a former deputy national security advisor. He says the Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom position has been vacant for some time. He says this “sends a message to other countries that we don’t care.”
Abrams told Congress recently “You look at the list of countries [where there is religious persecution] and see so many that are underdeveloped, or middle income or poor.” He says “in those cases economic sanctions… could have an effect. I think what we need to convey is … we care, and this will affect our relations.”
Abrams also pointed out to Congress that he feels when religious liberty is denied, the denial of other liberties almost surely will follow.” He said “supporting religious freedom aboard is not just a legal or moral duty, but a practical necessity that affects the security of the United States because it builds a foundation for progress and stability.”
Abrams is quoted by the Catholic World Report as saying that USCIRF has “repeatedly raised the importance of annually designating ‘countries of particular concern’ (CPCs). He says neither the Democratic nor Republican administrations have fully utilized the CPC mechanism as the key foreign policy tool it was intended to be.”
Abrams was asked by lawmakers whether the presence of American businesses in places like China is helping the rights of religious believers.” Abrams said “it’s had no positive impact.”
Congress passed the International Religious Freedom Act in 1998. The law provides for the ambassador-at-large position in the State Department.
Members of Congress have heard testimony from religious freedom officials who have discussed the difficulty Christians are facing across the globe.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) stated “the fact is, Christians are being slaughtered today.” He added: “We are in an era where this slaughter is being ignored.”
Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ) has expressed his concerns to Catholic World Report.
Smith is chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees global human rights issues.
Smith has told Catholic World Report President Obama should “put his money where his mouth is.”
Smith quoted President Obama’s recent remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast as saying that promoting religious freedom is a “key objective of U.S. foreign policy under his administration.”
Smith pointed out that the U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom post has been vacant during much of Obama’s presidency, except for the two-and-a half years it was held by Suzan Johnson Cook. Cook left the position in October.
An attorney for the Alliance Defending Freedom told Congress last month a Christian pastor in India was beaten to death at his home by Hindu extremists.
An official of Christian Solidarity Worldwide says Christians in Vietnam and Indonesia are facing increased persecution.
Archbishop Francis A. Chullikatt is the permanent observer for the Holy See Mission at the United Nations. He lawmakers about the price young people in the Middle East are paying.
“Christian children are innocent victims of this kind of persecution.” Sometimes they see in front of their own eyes, car bombs explode and human bodies are torn apart.”
Rep. Smith says action will be taken.
“We’re methodically chronicling the nature of the problem with what we hope will be viable solutions,” Smith said.
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