Religious Freedom in U.S. Foreign Policy: Getting It Right, Now

Religious Freedom in U.S. Foreign Policy: Getting It Right, Now

08/05/14

Thomas Farr, Michael Kessler

Religion, Foreign Policy, United States, Middle East

A serious investment of America’s diplomatic resources in advancing international religious freedom would be both morally right and strategically sound.

On July 24, Meriam Ibrahim and her family, the targets of barbaric religious persecution by the Sudanese government, were permitted to flee Sudan. On July 28, President Obama nominated Rabbi David Saperstein to be the U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom.

Those two events frame a new opportunity for the United States to mitigate a dangerously accelerating global crisis in religious persecution by advancing international religious freedom. A serious investment of America’s diplomatic resources in this venture would be both morally right and strategically sound.

In January, Meriam, a pregnant Catholic wife and mother, was arrested for apostasy, imprisoned and sentenced to 100 lashes and death by hanging. For months, Meriam lay shackled in a Sudanese prison, struggling to care for the two-year old son imprisoned with her. In May, her legs still shackled, she gave birth to a baby girl. Throughout this savage and inhumane travail, Meriam was offered freedom. She was told that if she renounced her faith and embraced Islam, she and her children would be free. She refused. Sudan released her and her babies after an extended international outcry.

Rabbi Saperstein is a veteran, well-regarded advocate of religious freedom. He has assured friends that he will act resolutely to address the global crisis. If he is given the authority, status and resources to succeed, Saperstein can position American diplomacy to undermine the structures of persecution that victimized Meriam and grow daily in states around the world. He can lead a renewed effort by the U.S. government to advance religious freedom that has a chance at success, not simply because America desires it, but because it will help societies achieve their own objectives. Saperstein should be confirmed immediately by the Senate.

Read full articlehttp://nationalinterest.org/feature/religious-freedom-us-foreign-policy-getting-it-right-now-11015