People targeted for their faith topic of May 22 hearing

Contact: Jeff Sagnip, 202-225-3765; chrissmith.house.gov 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The recent kidnapping of Nigerian school girls, demolition in China of a large house of worship, and the sentence of a Sudanese woman to hanging for not obeying a court calling on her to renounce her faith are only a handful of examples of assaults on the religious freedoms of people around the globe. U.S. efforts to address them will be the topic of a congressional hearing planned for Thursday, May 22 chaired by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees global human rights issues.

"Protecting Religious Freedom: U.S. Efforts to Hold Accountable Countries of Particular Concern," is the title of a hearing to be held before the House Foreign Affairs Committee subcommittee on global human rights. The chairman of the bipartisan U.S. federal government organization--the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)--will lead off testimony on the plight of impacted communities around the world and the great need to protect religious freedoms and civil rights as a foundation to peace and stability.

The bipartisan commission is tasked with defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad, reviewing reports of religious freedom violations and making policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the congressional leadership of both political parties.

Who:  Chairman Smith, and other members of the House subcommittees, and witnesses:

• Chairman Dr. Robert P. George, Ph.D., of Princeton University,
   
• Amjad Khan, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA
   
• Kenneth Bowers, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is
   
• Bu Fu, Executive Director of China Aid

When:  Thursday, May 22 at 10 a.m.

Where:  Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2200 (second floor)