USCIRF Applauds the Impending Appointment of National Security Council Adviser on International Religious Freedom

USCIRF Applauds the Impending Appointment of National Security Council Adviser on International Religious Freedom

WASHINGTON, DC (February 6, 2020) –The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the reported appointment by the White House of a Special Adviser to the President on International Religious Freedom within the National Security Council staff. For many years, USCIRF has been urging that this position – which is called for in the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) – be filled.  

“USCIRF applauds the White House for acknowledging the importance of international religious freedom as a key national security concern,” USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins stated. “In recent years, we have seen an increase in the frequency of violent attacks targeting houses of worship and holy sites around the world, and believe that the new Special Adviser will be an indispensable asset in helping the Administration coordinate a government-wide strategy and policy to combat rising religious persecution globally.”

USCIRF recommended in its 2019 Annual Report that the Administration appoint a Special Adviser to develop a government-wide strategy for promoting religious freedom abroad, prepare action plans for specific countries, and establish an interagency working group to oversee implementation.

“We commend the administration for filling this important position, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to elevating international religious freedom as a foreign policy priority,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin. “USCIRF looks forward to working with the Special Adviser and is eager to collaborate on the many pressing issues globally.”

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on threats to 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] or 202-523-3240.