Religious freedom is the right to follow one’s conscience—to believe or not believe—and to live out those beliefs openly, peacefully, and without fear. Yet nearly 70 percent of the world’s population lives in countries with significant restrictions on how, where, or whether people are allowed to worship. This fundamental freedom includes the rights to thought, expression, association, and assembly, and is protected under international law. History shows that religious or ethnic persecution is often a warning sign—a precursor to genocide and other mass atrocities. Defending religious freedom is therefore not only a moral imperative, but a critical strategy for preventing violence, upholding human dignity, and ensuring there is no business as usual in the face of genocide.
Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Thomas Tillis (R-NC) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have introduced S.Res. 52, a resolution recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right and reaffirming U.S. support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of foreign policy. With rising threats to religious minorities worldwide, this resolution is a crucial step toward ensuring accountability for perpetrators of religious persecution as well as protection for those facing persecution.