    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [July 22, 1997]
    [Page 989]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Report on Religious Freedom
    July 22, 1997

        I welcome today's release of the Secretary of State's report on
    United States Policies in Support of Religious Freedom. Promoting
    religious freedom around the world is a key part of our human rights
    policy and an important focus of our diplomacy.
        Today's report will help shine a spotlight on the serious problem of
    religious intolerance and persecution. It also underscores the
    importance of concerted actions by the United States and other like-
    minded nations to promote religious freedom.
        The report fulfills a congressional request for a summary of U.S.
    policies to reduce and eliminate persecution against Christians around
    the world. It also describes our efforts to address religious
    persecution more broadly, which have included defending the rights of
    Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Baha'is, and others to practice their faiths
    freely. Religious freedom is a fundamental human right, and the United
    States vigorously condemns persecution against any believer and all
    faiths.
        Our Nation was founded by men and women seeking refuge from
    religious persecution. Religious freedom is the first freedom guaranteed
    in our Bill of Rights. I am pleased that our Nation has been a leader in
    promoting religious rights, including through the establishment last
    year of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad,
    through our willingness to press for religious liberty at the United
    Nations and in our relations with other nations, and through our
    determination to report fairly and accurately on these issues around the
    world. Today's report is part of America's larger commitment to help
    people of all faiths to live free of persecution and to worship in the
    freedom that is their birthright.