[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 71 (Friday, April 29, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 UKRAINE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SUPPORT ACT

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                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2022

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 496, 
the Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act, which will oppose religious 
freedom violations in Ukraine by Russia.
  H.R. 496 the Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act directs the 
President, when determining whether Russia is a country of particular 
concern for religious freedom under certain federal laws, to consider 
incidents occurring in the parts of Ukraine controlled by Russia or 
Russia-affiliated non-state groups.
  Ukraine is a religiously rich country with 74 percent of people 
identifying as Orthodox, 10 percent Greek Catholic and the remainder 
identifying as Roman Catholic, Jewish and Protestant.
  Ukraine has accused Russia of targeting historic monuments and 
cultural heritage sites. Damaging and destroying at least 59 religious 
sites across the country since its invasion began.
  H.R. 496 will direct the president to consider incidents in the 
Russian controlled parts of Ukraine found by Congress.
  Ukrainian groups targeted by Russia include Muslim Crimean Tatars, 
the Orthodox Church, the Greek Catholic Church, Protestant Christians, 
and Jehovah's Witnesses.
  Religious freedom violations against these groups consist of 
abductions, torture, imprisonment, property confiscation, vandalism, 
and banning of peaceful religious gatherings.
  Russia is utilizing religious extremism to silence and arrest 
Ukrainians, including closing religious institutions that don't 
conform. Religious freedom violations have been key in Russia 
dismantling Ukrainian civil society.
  Congress' findings state that international humanitarian law requires 
Russia to protect religious freedom in occupied territories. This 
includes illegal entities, such as Russia's illegal occupation of the 
Crimea Region.
  In opposing violations of religious freedom, it is imperative that we 
consider the extreme religious injustices and restrictions Russia 
placed on the territories they have invaded in Ukraine.
  Freedom to practice religion should be a protected right for every 
person, worldwide. This bill will ensure the President considers these 
severe violations in Ukraine by Russia when determinizing Russia's 
threat to religious freedom.
  I urge all members to join me in voting for H.R. 496, the Ukraine 
Religious Support Act.

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