[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.