WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) introduced a bipartisan resolution to express support for international religious freedom as a fundamental right and a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy amid concern over increased attacks on religious freedom worldwide. This effort is cosponsored by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). This bill was previously introduced in the 118th Congress.
In just the past two years, there have been thousands of incidents where religious freedom was violated around the world, including violence against Rohingya Muslims in Burma, attacks on Uyghurs in China, and persecution of clergy by Russians in Ukraine, according to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). In 2023, USCIRF identified more than 2,200 individuals—Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs alike—targeted by 27 different countries and entities for their religious beliefs. As of 2024, there are 96 countries with legislation criminalizing blasphemy used to enforce arbitrary limitations on religious freedoms.
The resolution urges the State Department to expand its support for religious freedom around the world as threats and violence worsen. This effort would leverage all diplomatic and sanctions tools available to hold violators of religious freedom accountable and would encourage the State Department to promote religious freedom as a central tenet of U.S. foreign policy implementation.
“As Co-Chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, I have fiercely defended the religious freedom of all Americans, but our work can’t stop at home,” said Senator Coons. “Whether you’re a member of a religious minority or a non-believer, far too many people around the world are unfairly targeted and even persecuted for their beliefs and practices. I’m proud to once again lead this bipartisan effort to highlight the importance of promoting religious freedom for our nation's foreign policy and standing.”
“The fundamental right of every person to have a faith, live your faith, change your faith, or have no faith at all must be recognized throughout the world. Countries like China, Russia, and Iran continue to target and persecute citizens for living this most basic freedom. The United States must continue its international leadership to defend religious freedom, which is why we are reaffirming our commitment to fight for religious freedom around the world,” said Senator Lankford.
“In 1786, the Virginia General Assembly passed a statute instituting religious freedom in the Commonwealth, establishing the basis of religious freedom for the whole of the United States. Today, individuals throughout the world who live in countries where religious freedom is threatened or non-existent see the U.S. as a beacon of hope that people of all beliefs can live in the same neighborhoods, attend the same schools, and work side by side,” said Senator Kaine. “Amid the horrifying rise in attacks on faith-based communities, I’m joining my colleagues in sending a clear message that we must work together to protect religious freedom in every corner of the globe.”
“The United States must maintain our steadfast commitment to standing up for religious liberty,” said Senator Tillis. “This resolution expresses our unwavering support for victims of religious persecution and reaffirms our support for safeguarding religious freedom worldwide.”
The full text of this resolution is available here.
Senator Coons and Senator Tillis are Co-Chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus.