The world’s religious freedom crisis that threatens peace and stability in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa will be addressed by the U.S. State Department’s top official on international religious freedom at a hearing to be held by the Chairman of the House global human rights subcommittee, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04).

The hearing will examine restrictions on religious freedom and religion-related violence that has risen since President Clinton signed the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) in 1998 to establish religious freedom as a critical element of U.S. foreign policy. The State Department’s actions to address religious freedom persecution will also be discussed.

“The Global Religious Freedom Crisis and Its Challenge to U.S. Foreign Policy” is the title of the hearing.

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

• Ambassador David N. Saperstein, Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, U.S. Department of State

• Dr. Robert P. George, Ph.D., Princeton University McCormick Professor Jurisprudence, Former Chairman of U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

  When:             Thursday, June 16 at 12:30 p.m.

Where:            Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2172 (first floor)