WASHINGTON, D.C. - As part of his continuing efforts to protect religious minorities internationally, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) announced today his co-sponsorship of the bipartisan Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act (S. 653).
This measure seeks to protect religious minorities around the world by creating a special envoy to monitor and combat acts of intolerance and incitement in the Near East and South Central Asia. Additionally, this envoy will work with foreign governments to help ensure they protect the rights of religious minorities and address discriminatory laws.
"Religious freedom is a natural right that belongs to everyone, everywhere. As a beacon of that freedom, the United States must work to ensure that religious minorities around the world are protected from persecution and discrimination," said Sen. Toomey. "I am proud to sponsor this bipartisan bill which supports the rights of religious minorities in Asia, and I urge its swift consideration by the full Senate."
Introduced by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), S. 653 was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on December 18, 2013. In addition to Sens. Blunt and Toomey, a bipartisan group of 18 other U.S. Senators have cosponsored the bill.
"Outside of Israel, the Middle East is often a very hostile place for Christians, and we must stand up for the human and civil rights of all religious minorities in the region. I am very pleased that Sen. Toomey has signed on to be a cosponsor of the Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act, and I look forward to the Senate swiftly passing this legislation," said Pastor Liz DeFrain- Pennsylvania State Co-Director, Christians United for Israel.
On December 20, 2013, the Senate passed a resolution co-sponsored by Sen. Toomey which urges the Islamic Republic of Iran to release those imprisoned solely because of their religion and condemns Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority as one of the regime's longstanding human rights violations. It also urges President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry to impose sanctions on Iranian government officials and other individuals directly responsible for serious human rights abuses, including those against the Baha'i community in Iran.
