Created by an act of Congress in 1998, the independent, bipartisan agency monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad, makes policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State and Congress and tracks the implementation of its guidance. It recommends the sanctioning of religious freedom abusers with the label “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” and annually publishes a report on the state of religious freedom internationally, spotlighting the most egregious offenders.
A major player in USCIRF’s reauthorization was the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable, a nongovernmental coalition of individuals from all faiths who gather regularly to discuss religious freedom issues on an off-the-record basis.
A letter to Congress drafted by the IRF Roundtable urging the passage of the USCIRF Reauthorization Act of 2024 read: “From our various experiences, we’ve seen the Commission play a vital role as a pillar of US foreign policy infrastructure by reporting on those around the world who suffer for their beliefs, conscience or religion. Robust reporting products, advocating for prisoners of conscience, and resources such as a database of prisoners of conscience and victims of persecution are essential tools used by civil society advocates to advance this fundamental human right.
“Reauthorizing the USCIRF is not only a matter of principle, but also a meaningful step towards fulfilling our nation’s promise to uphold this fundamental human right.”
“The vital work of USCIRF helps to expose and combat violations of international religious freedom.”
USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck acknowledged the letter, signed by 218 organizations and individuals representing a galaxy of faiths, in his thanks to supporters for helping to push the bill through before the deadline.
“The time and effort spent by a diverse coalition of groups and individuals, including the 218-strong-signature letter, showed members of Congress that people from various backgrounds and belief groups depend on USCIRF’s independent and objective research and unflinching recommendations to the President, the State Department and Congress in amplifying their voices to further advance freedom of religion or belief,” Schneck said.
One of the letter’s signatories, the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), hailed the congressional vote extending USCIRF’s authority. “The vital work of USCIRF helps to expose and combat violations of international religious freedom, hold governments accountable and provide helpful context for our missionary efforts,” ERLC Senior Policy Associate Allison Cantrell said.
A recent survey revealed that government restrictions on religion reached a new high in 2021 (the last year available for such records), underscoring the importance of having a monitoring agency to ensure human rights abusers know they are being watched.
At USCIRF’s 25th anniversary gathering last October, former Congressman Frank R. Wolf, one of the original guiding lights of the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), took issue with the fact that an agency as vital as USCIRF must be continually reauthorized every two years.
He spoke passionately about the uphill battle that he and his congressional allies had waged to secure IRFA and create USCIRF. “You have to get a permanent authorization so they don’t have to desperately wonder will they have a job or not,” he insisted. “There needs to be a permanent or long-term funding with that necessary authorization.”
The former Congressman strongly believes that this most important of federal agencies—this watchdog of what makes America America: religious freedom—shouldn’t have to persuade the powers that be that its existence is necessary and important.
We agree. USCIRF is vital. And it must continue to put violators on notice that abuses and restrictions of religious freedom will not be tolerated.
