    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 128, 113th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 113-161
    113th Congress

    An Act

    To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote
    Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South
    Central Asia. <>

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
    United States of America in Congress assembled, <>
    SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Near East and South Central Asia
    Religious Freedom Act of 2014''.
    SEC. 2. SPECIAL ENVOY TO PROMOTE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS
    MINORITIES IN THE NEAR EAST AND SOUTH CENTRAL
    ASIA.

    (a) <>  Appointment.--The President may appoint a
    Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in
    the Near East and South Central Asia (in this Act referred to as the
    ``Special Envoy'') within the Department of State. The Special Envoy
    shall have the rank of ambassador and shall hold the office at the
    pleasure of the President.

    (b) Qualifications.--The Special Envoy should be a person of
    recognized distinction in the field of human rights and religious
    freedom and with expertise in the Near East and South Central Asia.
    SEC. 3. DUTIES.

    (a) In General.--The Special Envoy shall carry out the following
    duties:
    (1) Promote the right of religious freedom of religious
    minorities in the countries of the Near East and the countries
    of South Central Asia, denounce the violation of such right, and
    recommend appropriate responses by the United States Government
    when such right is violated.
    (2) Monitor and combat acts of religious intolerance and
    incitement targeted against religious minorities in the
    countries of the Near East and the countries of South Central
    Asia.
    (3) Work to ensure that the unique needs of religious
    minority communities in the countries of the Near East and the
    countries of South Central Asia are addressed, including the
    economic and security needs of such communities.
    (4) Work with foreign governments of the countries of the
    Near East and the countries of South Central Asia to address
    laws that are discriminatory toward religious minority
    communities in such countries.
    (5) Coordinate and assist in the preparation of that portion
    of the report required by sections 116(d) and 502B(b) of the

    [[Page 1856]]

    Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d) and 2304(b))
    relating to the nature and extent of religious freedom of
    religious minorities in the countries of the Near East and the
    countries of South Central Asia.
    (6) Coordinate and assist in the preparation of that portion
    of the report required by section 102(b) of the International
    Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6412(b)) relating to
    the nature and extent of religious freedom of religious
    minorities in the countries of the Near East and the countries
    of South Central Asia.

    (b) Coordination.--In carrying out the duties under subsection (a),
    the Special Envoy shall, to the maximum extent practicable, coordinate
    with the Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and
    Migration, the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom,
    the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, and
    other relevant Federal agencies and officials.
    SEC. 4. DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION.

    Subject to the direction of the President and the Secretary of
    State, the Special Envoy is authorized to represent the United States in
    matters and cases relevant to religious freedom in the countries of the
    Near East and the countries of South Central Asia in--
    (1) contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental
    organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations,
    the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and
    other international organizations of which the United States is
    a member; and
    (2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to
    religious freedom in the countries of the Near East and the
    countries of South Central Asia.
    SEC. 5. CONSULTATIONS.

    The Special Envoy shall consult with domestic and international
    nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations and
    institutions, as the Special Envoy considers appropriate to fulfill the
    purposes of this Act.
    SEC. 6. SUNSET.

    This Act shall cease to be effective beginning on October 1, 2019.
    SEC. 7. FUNDING.

    Of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the
    Secretary of State for ``Diplomatic and Consular Programs'' for fiscal
    years 2015 through 2019, the Secretary of State is authorized to provide
    to the Special Envoy $1,000,000 for each such

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    fiscal year for the hiring of staff, the conduct of investigations, and
    necessary travel to carry out the provisions of this Act.

    Approved August 8, 2014.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 653:
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    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014):
    July 10, considered and passed Senate.
    July 25, considered and passed House.