Round voting button logo

SR52

A resolution recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right, expressing support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and expressing concern over increased threats to and attacks on religious freedom around the world.

Introduced·2/4/25
Introduced

S. RES. 52

February 4, 2025

Mr. Lankford (for himself, Mr. Coons, Mr. Tillis, and Mr. Kaine) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

RESOLUTION

Recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right, expressing support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and expressing concern over increased threats to and attacks on religious freedom around the world.

  1. (1) recognizes religious freedom as a fundamental human right;
  2. (2) recognizes the critical importance of religious freedom in—
    1. (A) supporting democracy, good governance, and the rule of law;
    2. (B) encouraging pluralism and robust political participation; and
    3. (C) fostering global stability and peace;
  3. (3) expresses grave concern over threats to religious freedom around the world, such as through harassment, violence, and imprisonment;
  4. (4) condemns all efforts to suppress religious freedom, including through the criminalization of—
    1. (A) religious exercise in public or private;
    2. (B) the choice to have no faith;
    3. (C) conversion from one religion to another;
    4. (D) advocacy for religious freedom;
    5. (E) sharing and spreading religious messages and educational materials; and
    6. (F) construction and maintenance of religious holy sites;
  5. (5) supports the invaluable work of religious freedom advocates in fighting for greater religious freedom around the world; and
  6. (6) urges the Department of State to—
    1. (A) continue robust bilateral and multilateral engagement with allies and partners on religious freedom;
    2. (B) maintain and expand support for human rights activists, journalists, and civil society leaders working to protect religious freedom in countries of particular concern and Special Watch List countries;
    3. (C) leverage all diplomatic and sanctions tools available to the United States Government to hold religious freedom violators accountable for their actions, including those authorized by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.);
    4. (D) continue to impose sanctions on those responsible for violations of religious freedom pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2656 note);
    5. (E) consider human rights abuses and religious freedom violations in prioritizing partners for free trade agreements; and
    6. (F) promote religious freedom as an utmost priority for the United States in implementation of United States foreign policy.