U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the Committee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations issued the following statement today upon the State Department’s Release of the 2005 International Religious Freedom Report: 

    “I welcome the long awaited release of the 2005 International Religious Freedom Report and am particularly gratified that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has chosen to personally release the report and to announce the designation of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC). Her personal involvement shows to the world the centrality of religious freedom and human rights to the foreign policy of the United States. 

    “By forthrightly naming the countries that systematically and egregiously violate the right to religious freedom, no matter friend or foe, we can begin to develop solutions that will guarantee the right to religious freedom to all people as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

    Smith also commended President Bush and Sec. Rice for maintaining the designation of Vietnam and China as CPCs. Vietnam, which was held to account by its CPC designation last year, signed a “binding agreement” to improve its observation of religious liberty. Since that time, unfortunately, the religious situation in Vietnam has deteriorated, particularly that of the Montagnard Christians. Most recently, the government of Vietnam has arrested Vo Vanh Thanh Liem (Nam Liem), a leading figure among the independent Hoa Hao Buddhists, and sentenced him to seven years in prison. Eight other Hoa Hao Buddhists were arrested with him – some of whom have received long sentences as well. 

    “Vietnam’s arrest and sentencing of Vo Vanh Thanh Liem (Nam Liem), a leading figure among the independent Hoa Hao Buddhists, on trumped-up charges is an outrage,” said Smith, who chaired a hearing in June 2005 on human rights in Vietnam that featured testimony by Nam Liem. “Nam Liem courageously submitted testimony to my Committee in June 2005 in which he ominously predicted that the government of Vietnam would disregard any signed agreements. Vietnam’s CPC designation will help keep all people of good will aware of the true situation in Vietnam and forbid us from forgetting about Nam Liem.” 

    “I trust that President Bush will raise the issue of religious freedom face to face with Chinese President Hu Jintao next week at their summit meeting,” said Smith. 

    The government of China regularly denies freedom of conscience, expression, religion and association despite its continual persecution of religious groups of all persuasions. Members of “unofficial” churches, such as Catholics, members of Protestant house churches, and Falun Gong practitioners bear the brunt of abuses which range from harassment and arbitrary detention in prisons, psychiatric facilities and reeducation-through-labor camps to torture and death. This is the seventh straight year that China has been designated a CPC, and the persecution not only continues, it has worsened. 

    “Despite the hopes that trade with China would usher a modicum of respect for basic human rights and fundamental liberties, the simple fact of the matter is that the dictatorship in China oppresses, tortures, and mistreats tens of millions of its own citizens,” Smith said. “The PRC’s repression is getting worse and is stepping away from previously made commitments to improve their horrific human rights record, and we cannot turn a blind eye.” 

    Smith also made clear that beyond CPC designees, there are also far too many countries that continue to allow or actively create barriers to religious freedom. The State Department has worked to document the continuing abuses in countries such as Russia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Laos and Cuba. 

    “I look forward to continue working with the Administration and the State Department to develop effective strategies to allow all people the fundamental right of religious freedom,” said Smith. 

    Next week, on Tuesday, November 15, Smith’s Committee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations will hold a hearing on this year’s Report and the CPC designations. The principal advisor to the President and the Secretary of State on issues of religious freedom, Ambassador John Hanford, will testify, as well Dr. Michael Cromartie, Chairman of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Additional witnesses include the Most Reverend Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B., Bishop of Las Cruces, New Mexico, representing United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Ms. Nina Shea, Director of Center for Religious Freedom at Freedom House; Mr. Tom Malinowski, Washington Advocacy Director for Human Rights Watch; noted international journalist Mr. David Aikman, author Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity Is Transforming China and Changing the World Balance of Power; and Mr. Lawrence A. Uzzell, President International Religious Freedom Watch.