[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 71 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]

  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 71

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas, oppression and persecution of religious minorities around the world has 
        emerged as one of the most compelling human rights issues of the day. In 
        particular, the worldwide persecution and martyrdom of Christians 
        persists at alarming levels. This is an affront to the international 
        moral community and to all people of conscience;
Whereas, in many places throughout the world, Christians are restricted in or 
        forbidden from practicing their faith, victimized by a ``religious 
        apartheid'' that subjects them to inhumane, humiliating treatment, and 
        in certain cases are imprisoned, tortured, enslaved, or killed;
Whereas, severe persecution of Christians is also occurring in such countries as 
        Sudan, Cuba, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, China, Pakistan, North Korea, Egypt, 
        Laos, Vietnam, and certain countries in the former Soviet Union, to name 
        merely a few;
Whereas, religious liberty is a universal right explicitly recognized in 
        numerous international agreements, including the Universal Declaration 
        of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political 
        Rights;
Whereas, Pope John Paul II recently sounded a call against regimes that 
        ``practice discrimination against Jews, Christians, and other religious 
        groups, going even so far as to refuse them the right to meet in private 
        for prayer'', declaring that ``this is an intolerable and unjustifiable 
        violation not only of all the norms of current international law, but of 
        the most fundamental human freedom, that of practicing one's faith 
        openly'', stating that this is for human beings ``their reason for 
        living'';
Whereas, the National Association of Evangelicals in January 1996 issued a 
        ``Statement of Conscience and Call to Action'', subsequently commended 
        or endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention, the Executive Council of 
        the Episcopal Church, and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
        Church, U.S.A. They pledged to end their ``silence in the face of the 
        suffering of all those persecuted for their religious faith'' and ``to 
        do what is in our power to the end that the Government of the United 
        States will take appropriate action to combat the intolerable religious 
        persecution now victimizing fellow believers and those of other 
        faiths'';
Whereas, the World Evangelical Fellowship has declared September 29, 1996, and 
        each annual last Sunday in September, as an international day of prayer 
        on behalf of persecuted Christians. That day will be observed by 
        numerous churches and human rights groups around the world;
Whereas, the United States of America since its founding has been a harbor of 
        refuge and freedom to worship for believers from John Winthrop to Roger 
        Williams to William Penn, and a haven for the oppressed. To this day, 
        the United States continues to guarantee freedom of worship in this 
        country for people of all faiths;
Whereas, as a part of its commitment to human rights around the world, in the 
        past the United States has used its international leadership to 
        vigorously take up the case of other persecuted religious minorities. 
        Unfortunately, the United States has in many instances failed to raise 
        forcefully the issue of anti-Christian persecution at international 
        conventions and in bilateral relations with offending countries: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That--
            (1) unequivocally condemns the egregious human rights 
        abuses and denials of religious liberty to Christians around 
        the world, and calls upon the responsible regimes to cease such 
        abuses; and
            (2) strongly recommends that the President expand and 
        invigorate the United States international advocacy on behalf 
        of persecuted Christians, and initiate a thorough examination 
        of all United States policies that affect persecuted 
        Christians; and
            (3) encourages the President to proceed forward as 
        expeditiously as possible in appointing a White House Special 
        Advisor on religious persecution; and
            (4) recognizes and applauds a day of prayer on Sunday, 
        September 29, 1996, recognizing the plight of persecuted 
        Christians worldwide.

            Passed the Senate September 17, 1996.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
104th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                            S. CON. RES. 71

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to the persecution of 
                         Christians worldwide.