"Religious freedom legislation is a shining example of true bi-partisanship, when members of Congress on both sides of the aisle often work together for the greater of good of millions of vulnerable believers around the world." -- Faith J.H. McDonnell, IRD Religious Liberty Program Director

Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, jwalton@TheIRD.org

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Passage of legislation by the U.S. Congress to continue funding the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) will equip American church members and other concerned citizens with an important tool in their advocacy for persecuted people globally, according to an official with the Institute on Religion & Democracy. IRD Religious Liberty Director Faith J.H. McDonnell says that Christians and other religious minorities in Sudan, China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Nigeria, India, and elsewhere are commonly denied their right to freedom of worship and belief.

The independent U.S. government commission was created by the passage of the International Religious Freedom Act in 1998. Threatened when a U.S. senator placed an anonymous hold on legislation reauthorizing the USCIRF, it was set to expire September 30.

USCIRF provides a counterpoint to the Religious Freedom Office at the U.S. Department of State. Because USCIRF is an independent commission, McDonnell explains that it often can make stronger statements to violators of religious persecution around the world. McDonnell argues that both advocacy tools are needed to ensure that the U.S. can strongly defend human rights around the world.

IRD Religious Liberty Program Director Faith J.H. McDonnell commented:

"Thankfully, today the United States signals to thug regimes and persecutors of Christians and other religious believers that we still care about the victims of such egregious human rights violations.

"We urge Americans who care about the persecuted church and other religious believers around the world to never take for granted this important commission.

"All members of Congress must to be told how important this commission and the issue of religious freedom are to Americans so we never again face the threat of seeing the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom 'sunset' due to lack of interest or to competing interests.

"Religious freedom legislation is a shining example of true bi-partisanship, when members of Congress on both sides of the aisle often work together for the greater of good of millions of vulnerable believers around the world."

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