[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 136 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11330-S11333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT

  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, earlier today, I, Senator Lieberman, 
Senator Specter, Senator Coats, Senator Akaka, as well as Congressman 
Wolf, and other leaders of various religious organizations, had a press 
conference discussing the International Religious Freedom Act. We came 
out and spoke in favor of Congress passing the International Religious 
Freedom Act this year.
  I tell my colleagues, I very much hope and expect we will do that. I 
think it is one of the highest priorities we have left before we 
adjourn this session.
  The issue of religious persecution and freedom is an issue that I 
have been working on, as many others have, for a long time. I very much 
value the opportunity and the right and the privilege that I have as an 
American citizen to worship as I please, where I please, how I please. 
In fact, I believe it is one of the most precious rights that any of us 
have as a citizen of this country.
  Unfortunately, too many people in too many countries do not have that 
right. It is unfortunate that in many places all around the world, 
religious persecution is a common practice. It happens in more 
countries than we can imagine. There are far too many state laws and 
policies that restrict religious freedom.
  For many years, I have worked with my colleagues, Senator Helms, 
Senator Lugar and Senator Nunn, to help win freedom for those around 
the world who suffer because of religious beliefs. While we have been 
successful on many occasions, sadly, in some cases, we haven't been. 
Most of this work has been done, I might mention, quietly and behind 
the scenes.
  In 1996, I was honored to sponsor a Senate resolution on religious 
persecution, which passed by unanimous consent. In that resolution, the 
Senate made a strong recommendation ``that the President expand and 
invigorate the United States' international advocacy on behalf of 
persecuted Christians, and initiate a thorough examination of all the 
United States' policies that affect persecuted Christians.''
  Unlike the resolution that we helped get through the Senate 2 years 
ago, the legislation we are talking about today makes no distinction as 
to the faith of those who are being persecuted. This bill, I believe, 
will benefit all persons of all faiths who are persecuted for 
practicing their religion.
  Congressman Frank Wolf and Senator Arlen Specter have done a great 
job during the past year and a half in bringing this issue to the 
attention of the American public. I want to thank my friend, 
Congressman Wolf, for his leadership in the House, and of course all 
those persons in the House who passed a similar bill with a record 
vote, 375-41. Now, we in the Senate have a historic opportunity to 
finish the job that was started by the House, by passing the 
International Religious Freedom Act.
  I also want to thank my colleague, Senator Specter, for his 
leadership as original sponsor of the resolution. His work on our 
legislation, I think, has added considerably to the effectiveness of 
the bill.
  I also want to thank Senators Grams and Hagel who worked with us to 
modify the bill to ensure that what we are doing is responsible and it 
is done in a careful way. I think with their efforts we have crafted a 
bill that can be supported by all Senators, as evidenced by the fact 
that a broad spectrum of grassroots organizations have endorsed this 
bill.
  We have 29 Senate cosponsors, and I expect we will have more shortly. 
We have 21 groups that are supporting our bill who are advocating 
religious freedom. Those organizations include: the Religious Liberty 
Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the National Association 
of Evangelicals, the International Fellowship of Jews and Christians, 
the Christian Coalition, the Episcopal Church, the Anti-Defamation 
League, Advocates International, the National Jewish Coalition, 
Traditional Values Coalition, American Jewish Committee, Justice 
Fellowship, the Catholic Conference, B'Nai B'rith International, the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Catholic Conference of Major 
Superiors of Men's Institutes, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Union 
of American Hebrew Congregations, Union of Orthodox Jewish 
Congregations of America, National Conference of Soviet Jewry, the 
United Methodist Church-Women's Division, and the American Coptic 
Association.

  The Episcopal Church stated the following about the International 
Religious Freedom Act in a letter to each office on Capitol Hill:

       The Nickles-Lieberman bill is a moderate, flexible response 
     to human rights abuses that strikes the right balance between 
     imposing inflexible sanctions in overlooking serious human 
     rights abuses.

  The Catholic conference stated the following in a letter to my 
office:

       The bill is a reasonable and thoughtful effort to ensure 
     that religious liberty has its rightful place in U.S. policy 
     while preserving the authority of the Executive to pursue 
     legitimate foreign policy goals. It deserves broad, 
     bipartisan support and should be considered before Congress 
     adjourns.

  B'nai B'rith International, The Union of American Hebrew 
Congregations, and The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of 
America signed a letter to me stating:

       Passage of this bill would underscore our nation's 
     commitment to human rights worldwide and lend hope to 
     millions of religious believers who suffer because of their 
     faith. Failure to act now on this legislation would send a 
     dangerous signal to persecutors that they can act with 
     impunity.

  Unfortunately, it is a tragic reality that literally millions of 
religious believers around the world live with the terrifying prospect 
of persecution--of being tortured, arrested, imprisoned, or even killed 
simply for their faith. Millions more around the world are denied, by 
government policy, the ability to practice their religion.
  I believe that this bill can be an effective tool in helping to 
resolve the problem of religious persecution throughout the world.

[[Page S11331]]

  The International Religious Freedom Act will establish a process to 
ensure that on an ongoing basis, the United States closely monitors 
religious persecution worldwide.
  International Religious Freedom Act uses a broad definition of 
religious persecution. This definition ranges in scope from the most 
egregious form of religious persecution--imprisonment, torture or 
death--to the most common--the inability of one to speak freely about 
one's religion, or to change religion. That's right. There are 
prohibitions in certain countries on changing your religion, on talking 
about your religion, or practicing your religion.
  This is an important aspect of the bill. If the definition of 
religious persecution were limited to only torture, imprisonment or 
death, the International Religious Freedom Act would only cover about a 
few countries, and would not include about 80 to 85 percent of the 
religious persecution that takes place in the world--the ability to 
practice one's religion. We adopted this standard to ensure that we 
address the problem before it escalates to torture and murder.
  Under the provisions of the International Religious Freedom Act, the 
President is required to take action against those countries that 
engage in religious persecution. However, the President is given a menu 
of options, fifteen items, from which he can choose the most 
appropriate response. In addition, the President is given the 
discretion to calibrate that action in response to each country's 
particular situation.
  In essence, this allows the President to weigh a variety of factors 
such as strategic importance, the historical relationship between the 
United States and that country and the severity of the religious 
persecution in that country when determining an action.
  I believe this flexibility also makes the International Religious 
Freedom Act more effective. We provide the President with a menu of 
options that makes it make likely that he will take action.
  We need to keep our eye on the goal. The goal of our bill is not to 
punish countries, but to change behavior, and if it is more likely that 
the President will take an action, then it is more likely that behavior 
will change. And that, Mr. President, in my opinion should be the goal 
of any legislation dealing with religious persecution--changing 
behavior in other countries that persecute people because of their 
faith.
  The International Religious Freedom Act, also seeks to promote 
religious freedom. The bill insists that U.S. foreign assistance should 
place a priority on developing legal protections and respect for 
religious freedom, by promoting exchanges and visits of religious 
leaders in the U.S. and abroad, and by making one of the priorities of 
our international broadcast programs the promotion of and respect for 
religious freedom.
  This bill is not a classic case of Uncle Sam imposing his views on 
the world. Although the right to religious freedom undergirds the very 
existence and origin of this country, the bill only asks other 
countries to live up to the commitments they have made in international 
documents and agreements.
  For example, article 1, paragraph 3 of the Charter of the United 
Nations states one of the purposes of the United Nations is to:

       Achieve international cooperation in . . . promoting and 
     encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental 
     freedoms for all without distinctions as to race, sex, 
     language or religion.

  There are 185 members of the United Nations. Some of the members of 
the United Nations are the biggest violators of the right to religious 
freedom.
  Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states:

       Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience 
     and religion; this right includes freedom to change his 
     religion or belief and freedom either alone or in community 
     with others and in public or private to manifest his religion 
     or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

  According to a CRS memo, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
was originally adopted in 1948 at the UN by 48 of the countries that 
belonged to the UN at that time (eight countries abstained). The 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights is considered as a part of the 
United Nations and any country who has joined since 1948 subscribes to 
its principles. No ratification is required.

  Some have suggested that it is inappropriate to elevate religion to a 
``higher'' or ``privileged'' status in U.S. policy on human rights. But 
the reality is the opposite. We are trying to correct the neglect that 
has too long existed, where religious persecution has been given a 
lower priority than persecution based on political opinion, labor 
activities, sexual orientation, what have you. This bill is remedial 
for years of neglect. Religion must no longer be an afterthought of 
American human rights policy.
  As the Catholic Conference stated in its letter to me:

       The bill is a reasonable and thoughtful effort to ensure 
     that religious liberty has its rightful place in U.S. policy 
     while preserving the authority of the Executive to pursue 
     legitimate foreign policy goals. It deserves broad, 
     bipartisan support and should be considered before Congress 
     adjourns.

  In June of this year, an Episcopalian Bishop from Pakistan, the Right 
Reverend Munawar Rumlash, or Bishop Manno as he is called in the United 
States, gave gripping testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations 
Committee about the plight of Christians in Pakistan.
  Bishop Manno cited the following examples of religious persecution in 
Pakistan before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that have 
occurred this year alone.
  In January, Protestant Pastor Noor Alam was stabbed to death in front 
of his family. Two months before his death, Pastor Alam's church was 
demolished by a Muslim mob. When he was stabbed to death he was in the 
process of rebuilding his church for which he had received several 
death threats.
  On April 27, 1998, Ayub Masih was condemned to death on charges he 
blasphemed the prophet Mohammed by favorably mentioning Salman Rushdie, 
the author of ``Satanic Verses.'' According to Freedom House, Mr. 
Rushdie's book has not been translated into the local Urdu language and 
is unavailable in Pakistan. It is improbable that Ayub Masih ever saw 
or read the book.
  The blasphemy laws in Pakistan do not just impact Christians. 
According to the latest State Department Human Rights Report, the 
Ahmadis, a minority sect of Islam that does not accept Mohammed as the 
last prophet of Islam, also suffer from the religious policies in 
Pakistan.
  Another country in the Middle East imprisoned some 30 Christians for 
distributing religious material just three months ago. There were 
credible reports that these people were beaten while in jail.
  In Nepal, Hinduism is the state religion and it is illegal to 
convert. Several years ago a gentleman from Oklahoma was arrested for 
distributing religious material. I worked with our government to get 
him released from prison.
  Just recently The American Coptic Association placed an ad in the 
Washington Times highlighting the trials that they are going through. I 
think there are something like 12 million Coptics in Egypt today.
  Last summer our Government prepared a report on countries that engage 
in violations of religious freedom. Some 77 countries were listed in 
that report. I will include that report at the conclusion of my 
statement.
  This is a problem, and we in the Senate have the power to try to do 
something to make improvements. That is what this bill is for. I 
believe the International Religious Freedom Act has the potential to 
significantly improve religious freedom throughout the world.
  Mr. President, what was a mere resolution in 1996, I hope will become 
a reality in 1998. While in 1996 we acted with words, I hope we can act 
now with deeds by passing the International Religious Freedom Act.
  I thank my colleague, Senator Lieberman, for his leadership, and 
Senator Coats, who has worked on this very, very hard, and the 29 
cosponsors that we have on this bill. I urge my colleagues to look at 
this bill, and to work with us to see if we can't pass this bill and 
make a very positive statement as the United States being a real leader 
to promote religious freedom throughout the world. I thank my 
colleagues for their patience.

[[Page S11332]]

  I ask unanimous consent that a list of the countries that were 
included in the report on human rights and persecution listed in 1997 
be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

        Countries Listed in 1997 Report on Christian Persecution

       1. Afghanistan: Islam is the state religion. No 
     Proselytizing allowed by non-Muslims.
       2. Algeria: Islam is the state religion. Islamic extremists 
     killed several Catholics in 1996.
       3. Armenia: Laws forbid proselytizing except by the 
     Apostolic Church. All churches must register with the 
     government. Funding restrictions tightened so foreign-based 
     churches may not be supported by funds outside Armenia.
       4. Austria: Registration requirements for recognition. 
     Recognition by the government means tax privileges. The 
     Jehovah's Witness have not been recognized by the government.
       5. Azerbaijan: No proselytizing by foreigners in 
     Azerbaijan. Non-Orthodox Christian religions have credibly 
     complained of official harassment.
       6. Bahrain: Islam is the state religion. Proselytizing by 
     non-Muslims is discouraged. Anti-Islamic writings are 
     illegal. Both the Sunni and the Shi'a Muslim are subject to 
     government control and monitoring.
       7. Bangladesh: Islam is state religion. Foreign 
     missionaries may proselytize, but their right to do so is not 
     protected by the constitution. Many foreign missionaries have 
     problems getting visas.
       8. Belarus: Government directive issued in 1995 limits 
     religious activity of foreign religious workers. The Orthodox 
     Church is granted tax and financial advantages not given to 
     other churches.
       9. Belgium: The government provides subsidies to Catholics, 
     Protestants, Judaism, Islam, Anglicanism, and the Greek and 
     Russian Orthodox Church. Baptists and other evangelical 
     churches were denied recognition.
       10. Bhutan: Buddhism is the state religion. Conversion is 
     illegal. Foreign missionaries are not allowed to proselytize, 
     but they can operate educational and humanitarian efforts.
       11. Bosnia: The government has ignored Catholic church 
     burnings.
       12. Brunei: Despite constitutional provisions providing for 
     the full and unconstrained exercise of religious freedom the 
     government routinely restricts non-Muslim religions by 
     banning the importing of religious material and prohibiting 
     proselytizing.
       13. Bulgaria: Although the constitution calls for freedom 
     of religion the government restricts this right for some non-
     Orthodox Christian groups. Mormons and the Jehovah's Witness 
     have reported acts of official harassment.
       14. Burma: The government has imposed restrictions on 
     certain religious minorities. Christian bibles translated 
     into local languages cannot be imported, and it is difficult 
     to get permission to build churches and mosques.
       15. Burundi: There is no restriction on religion. However, 
     religious leaders of the Hutu tribe have been arrested for 
     aiding Hutus rebels. Another religious leader was arrested 
     and has not been charged.
       16. Cameroon: The government has registration requirements 
     and has verbally attacked the Catholic Church for being 
     supportive of the political opposition.
       17. Central African Republic: Has a provisions of law 
     prohibiting religious fundamentalism which is understood to 
     be aimed at Muslims.
       18. China: The government seeks to restrict religious 
     practice to government controlled and sanctioned religious 
     organizations. Leaders of house churches have been jailed and 
     beaten.
       19. Colombia: Jehovah's Witness and members of the 
     Mennonite Church have complained that they are not allowed an 
     alternative to military service even though Colombia's 
     constitution calls for this.
       20. Comoros: A government established council ensures that 
     its laws abide with the law of Islam. Non-Muslims are allowed 
     to practice their faith, but not proselytize.
       21. Congo: Religious leaders have been jailed for 
     criticizing the government.
       22. Croatia: The government discriminates against Muslims 
     in issuing documents.
       23. Cuba: Although restrictions on religion have eased--
     especially because of the Pope's visit--the government still 
     maintains a restriction on selling business machines to 
     Churches. Pentecostal Churches have been closed in the last 
     year.
       24. Djibouti: Islam is the state Religion. Proselytizing 
     while not illegal is discouraged.
       25. Egypt: Religious practices that conflict with Islamic 
     law are prohibited. Christians complain that their lives and 
     property are not adequately protected by the police. Converts 
     to Christ have been beaten and jailed.
       26. Equatorial Guinea: Catholic clergy beaten & jailed for 
     political sermons.
       27. Eritrea: General religious freedom, except the 
     Jehovah's Witness are denied government housing and 
     passports.
       28. Estonia: Some disputes have arisen over its 
     registration requirements, but this has not hampered freedom 
     of religion.
       29. Ethiopia: Skirmishes between religions have resulted in 
     claims by the Protestants that they are not being adequately 
     protected by the police.
       30. France: Certain churches get government subsidies. Some 
     172 religions have been labeled as a criminal sect.
       31. Germany: Certain churches get government subsidies.
       32. Greece: Muslims complain the government is thwarting 
     their efforts to build a mosque in Athens. Mormons, Jehovah's 
     Witness and Scientologists have been arrested by the police 
     for proselytizing.
       33. India: The government has refused to allow foreign 
     missionaries into the country for long stays since the 1960s. 
     Missionaries can stay for short periods of time on a tourist 
     visa only.
       34. Indonesia: The government only recognizes five 
     religions (Islam, Catholics, Protestant, Buddhism and 
     Hinduism). Marriages performed outside of these religions 
     have difficulty being recognized. The Jehovah's Witness have 
     been banned.
       35. Iran: There are religious restrictions on non Shiites. 
     Christians are arrested. Two Bahai men were killed under 
     circumstances that has led many to believe they were killed 
     for their beliefs.
       36. Iraq: Restrictions on religion exist. There is a ban on 
     Muslims call to prayer in certain cities and bans on books 
     and funeral processions. Security forces are reported to have 
     killed between 40 and 500 religious pilgrims.
       37. Israel: Jehovah's Witness have reported buildings being 
     looted, and complain that the police have not adequately 
     investigated these attacks.
       38. Jordan: Non-Muslims can't proselytize to Muslims. Some 
     religions not recognized by the government.
       39. Kazakstan: Foreign missionaries have complained of 
     harassment by low-level government officials.
       40. Kenya: Government has interfered with religious 
     educations which it claims supported the opposition.
       41. North Korea: Although the constitution calls for 
     freedom of religion the government discourages all religious 
     activity.
       42. Kuwait: Islam is the state religion. The government 
     prohibits proselytizing among Muslims.
       43. Kyrgyz Republic: The government does not always ensure 
     religious freedom. A Baptist congregation has been denied the 
     ability to register with the government.
       44. Laos: The government restricts religious freedom. There 
     are reports of Christians being harassed. There are also 
     restrictions on the imports of foreign religious 
     publications.
       45. Latvia: Religions are required to register. Jehovah's 
     Witness are denied registration. This makes it very difficult 
     for them as they are perceived as an illegal group.
       46. Lebanon: Religious denomination determines who can hold 
     the highest positions in government.
       47. Lithuania: While the government generally allows 
     freedom of religion, certain religions are having trouble 
     getting registered.
       48. Malaysia: Islam is the state religion. There are some 
     restrictions on other religions.
       49. Maldives: Severe restrictions on religion. Citizens are 
     required to be Muslim. Conversions may result in a loss of 
     citizenship. The practice of any other religion besides Islam 
     is prohibited.
       50. Mauritania: Proselytizing by non-Muslims prohibited. 
     Conversion from Islam to another religion is prohibited.
       51. Mexico: Local official do not always allow religious 
     freedom.
       52. Moldova: A 1992 law contains restrictions on 
     proselytizing. Several Protestant religions are concerned 
     that this could inhibit their activities.
       53. Morocco: Islam is the official religion. Attempts to 
     convert a Muslim are illegal and several Christian 
     missionaries have been expelled from Morocco for 
     proselytizing.
       54. Nepal: Conversion and proselytizing are prohibited.
       55. Nicaragua: Catholic Church bombings in 1996 blamed on 
     extremists..
       56. Nigeria: Open-air religious services are banned. 
     Soldiers beat participants in an Easter-day parade.
       57. Pakistan: Religious intolerance prevails. Blasphemy 
     laws make it difficult for other religions besides Islam to 
     grow. Proselytizing among Muslims is illegal.
       58. Peru: Mormons harassed in Peru in 1996, problem 
     declining.
       59. Romania: Problems with low-level government harassment 
     of several Protestant denominations.
       60. Russia: Passed law that prohibits religious freedom in 
     1997. While this law is complex and contradictory, several 
     denominations have been punished by local authorities for 
     practicing their faith.
       61. Saudi Arabia: No freedom of religion exists. The 
     government does not permit non-Muslim religious activities. 
     Police have been known to beat and jail those who do.
       62. Serbia: Although there generally is freedom of 
     religion, the government gives preferential treatment to the 
     Orthodox Church.
       63. Singapore: Jehovah's Witness are banned. Arrests have 
     been made of them.
       64. Slovakia: Subsidies provided to registered churches.
       65. Somalia: Proselytizing prohibited except for Muslims.
       66. Sri Lanka: Buddhism is the official national religion. 
     Discrimination from the Buddhist clergy is often targeted at 
     Christian groups who have proselytized.

[[Page S11333]]

       67. Sudan: Islam is the de facto state religion. There are 
     reports of forced conversion of Christians to Islam, 
     Christians are victims of slave raids and Christian children 
     being sent to reeducation camps. Muslims may proselytize, but 
     non-Muslims cannot.
       68. Syria: The President of Syria must be Muslim. The 
     government discourages proselytizing. Jews are generally 
     barred from holding government positions. Reports indicate 
     that the government closely monitors worship services.
       569. Tunisia: The government views proselytizing as an act 
     against public order. Foreigners suspected of proselytizing 
     are deported. The government controls mosques and pays the 
     salaries of the prayer leader.
       70. Turkey: there is compulsory religious education for 
     Muslims. proselytizing is not illegal, but foreign 
     missionaries are sometimes arrested for disturbing the peace.
       71. Turkmenistan: Churches are required to be registered by 
     the government. Requirements that the church have at least 
     500 adherents have hampered the efforts of some religions 
     from setting up legal religious organizations. Missionaries 
     arriving at the airport with religious material have had that 
     material confiscated.
       72. Ukraine: An amendment to a 1991 law restricts the 
     activities of non-native churches. Local government officials 
     have impeded the efforts of foreign missionaries.
       73. United Arab Emirates: Islam is the official religion. 
     Non-Muslims are free to worship, but may not proselytize, or 
     distribute religious material.
       74. United Kingdom: Has a state religion. Blasphemy is 
     illegal although the law is not enforced. There is freedom of 
     religion.
       75. Uzbekistan: Although the distribution of religious 
     material is legal, proselytizing is not. The government does 
     not register Christian groups of which they do not approve, 
     and has sought to control the Islamic hierarchy.
       76. Vietnam: Only two Christian religions are approved by 
     the government--The Catholics and the Christian Missionary 
     Alliance. Police have raided house churches and harassed 
     ethnic Hmong Protestant for proselytizing.
       77. Yemen: Islam is the state religion. There are 
     restrictions on the followers of other religions--They are 
     not allowed to proselytize. Security officials have been 
     known to censor the mail of Christian clergy who minister to 
     the foreign population.

  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. BIDEN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sessions). The Senator from Delaware.
  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed for up 
to 30 minutes as if in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________