A resolution recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right, expressing support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and expressing concern over increased threats to and attacks on religious freedom around the world.
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This Senate resolution would express the Senate's recognition of religious freedom as a fundamental human right, its grave concern over growing threats worldwide, and its support for making religious freedom a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy.
The resolution urges the State Department to use diplomatic and sanctions tools to hold religious freedom violators accountable and to prioritize religious freedom in all U.S. foreign policy implementation.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The resolution would make several formal declarations on behalf of the Senate. It would recognize religious freedom as a fundamental human right, affirm its role in supporting democracy, pluralism, and global stability, and express grave concern over worldwide threats including harassment, violence, and imprisonment of those exercising religious beliefs. It would condemn efforts to suppress religious freedom through criminalization of religious exercise, conversion, advocacy, and the construction of religious sites.
The resolution would also urge the Department of State to continue bilateral and multilateral engagement on religious freedom, expand support for human rights activists in countries of particular concern and Special Watch List countries, impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Act on religious freedom violators, and promote religious freedom as a top priority in U.S. foreign policy. The resolution is non-binding — it does not create new legal requirements or alter existing law.
Key provisions
- 1Would formally recognize religious freedom as a fundamental human right and affirm its role in supporting democracy, pluralism, and global stability.
- 2Would express grave concern and condemn suppression of religious freedom, including through criminalization of religious exercise, conversion, advocacy, and religious site construction.
- 3Would urge the State Department to continue robust bilateral and multilateral engagement with allies and partners on international religious freedom.
- 4Would urge the State Department to impose sanctions on religious freedom violators using the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Act and tools under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
- 5Would urge the State Department to consider human rights and religious freedom violations when prioritizing partners for free trade agreements.
Who would be affected
Religious minorities facing persecution around the world — including in China, Burma, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, and other named countries — who could benefit from increased U.S. diplomatic attention. The Department of State would be urged (though not legally required) to intensify religious freedom advocacy. Human rights activists, journalists, and civil society leaders working in countries of particular concern are also named as recipients of expanded support.
Why it matters
Because the resolution is non-binding, it carries no direct legal force. However, it could signal congressional priorities to the State Department and signal U.S. intent to foreign governments. It specifically urges the use of existing sanctions authority and calls for religious freedom to be weighed in trade agreement negotiations, which could influence diplomatic practice if the executive branch chooses to act on its guidance.
What would change
Agencies directed to act
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 105.
Official CRS summary
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This resolution recognizes religious freedom as a fundamental human right and expresses concern over threats to religious freedom around the world, such as through harassment, violence, and imprisonment.
Legislative subjects
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues; Human rights; International organizations and cooperation; Religion; Rule of law and government transparency