Senate would urge U.S. officials to prioritize religious freedom abroad

The Senate would urge the State Department to make religious freedom a top foreign policy priority. The call for continued and expanded support covers rights activists, journalists, and civic group leaders in countries the United States flags for severe religious freedom abuses. The resolution asks officials to continue working with allies and partners. These requests would not require the State Department to act.

The Senate would urge the State Department to use available diplomatic tools and existing sanctions powers against religious freedom violators. Officials would also be asked to weigh human rights abuses and religious freedom violations when choosing partners for free trade agreements. The resolution would not itself impose sanctions or require a particular trade decision.

The Senate would recognize religious freedom as a basic human right and condemn efforts to suppress it. The condemnation covers punishment for religious practice, having no faith, changing religions, advocating for religious freedom, sharing religious materials, and building or maintaining holy sites. These statements would not themselves change anyone's legal rights or create penalties.