Contact: Jerry Dykstra, 616-915-4117, jerryd@odusa.org; Emily Fuentes, 949-413-6721, emilyf@odusa.org; both with Open Doors USA

SANTA ANA, Calif., July 13, 2011 /Standard Newswire/ -- Open Doors USA has launched an advocacy campaign to promote a new religious freedom bill.

HR 1856 is a bill that, if passed, would amend the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA), strengthen the promotion of religious freedom in United States foreign policy and reauthorize the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

The on-going turmoil in Nigeria, the Middle East, Northern Africa and Pakistan -- including the burning of churches and killing of Christians -- serves as evidence that this bill is important. Stable, democratic governments in these countries are unlikely to ever succeed without religious freedom.

The bill will strengthen the "Countries of Particular Concern" designation process by requiring that the State Department act on designations. Because of HR 1856, the IRF office will also be able to more effectively endorse religious freedom through advocacy, reporting and programming. Also, all foreign service officers would receive religious freedom training.

HR 1856 would also improve the current situation of the IRF office within the State Department. Currently Ambassador-At-Large for International Religious Freedom Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook works under the Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Michael Posner. Under the new amendments, the IRF Ambassador would instead report directly to the Secretary of State, lending greater status to religious freedom in foreign policy.

"If this bill passes, it will offer a significant advancement in religious freedom worldwide," says Open Doors USA President/CEO Dr. Carl Moeller. "It is important to urge our U.S. Representatives to vote for this bill."

The Open Doors USA campaign urges individuals to encourage U.S. Representatives to take an active role in promoting religious freedom. By voting for HR 1856, U.S. Representatives can improve their scores on the Open Doors 112th Scorecard. The scorecard grades members' prioritization of international religious freedom in their work on Capitol Hill.

"HR 1856, the International Religious Freedom Amendment of 2011 Act, is one of the most important bills for the promotion of international religious freedom to be introduced," says Open Doors USA Advocacy Director Lindsay Vessey.  "It is critical that HR 1856 be passed before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom's funding expires in September. It is imperative that constituents let their elected officials know that religious freedom is important to them and that they campaign for religious freedom for all people of faith around the world."

Vessey points out that nearly 70 percent of the world’s 6.8 billion people live in countries with high restrictions on religion, the brunt of which falls on religious minorities, according to a Pew Forum study.

For more information and to send an email message urging U.S. Representatives to support and co-sponsor HR 1856, please go to www.OpenDoorsUSA.org and click on the Advocacy Section.

An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

(For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org); also Emily Fuentes at 949-413-6721 or emilyf@odusa.org)