February 12, 2009

Washington, DC – The Institute on Religion and Public Policy today sent more than a dozen policy proposals to President Barack Obama on ways to strengthen and promote religious freedom in U.S. foreign policy.

The recommendations largely deal with ways to improve the implementation of the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act. For example, according to the intent and scope of the law, the Institute recommends appointing a religious freedom advisor to the National Security Council.

"Neither the Clinton Administration nor the Bush Administration fully implemented the suggestion of Congress that a Special Adviser be appointed," the letter to Obama says. "Such a point person on the NSC staff responsible for global review and interaction on religious liberty will serve not only to advance both the issue of religious liberty itself, but also provide the necessary support when such matters impact other security concerns and vital interests."

The Institute further recommends that the U.S. religious freedom ambassador have stronger access to the Secretary of State to advise on any foreign policy issues where religion may be a factor, and that he or she be able to attend one cabinet meeting a year. The letter suggests designating $4 million to the State Department's religious freedom office to fund programs around the world that promote freedom of belief.

In addition, the Institute recommends allowing the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to terminate as scheduled in 2011: "The USCIRF has never fulfilled its overall mission and its work is duplicative of both the IRF Office at State and of the many NGOs working on religious liberty."

The Institute also urges President Obama to appoint an envoy to the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference within his first 100 days of office: "Your approach represents a shift in attitude toward the Islamic world, but your administration needs to do more than adjust attitudes.

"It needs a direct interlocutor with the Islamic world's political elements, one who can appropriately represent the United States' commitment to dialogue while also proactively engaging with the 57 Member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Secretariat itself."

Institute on Religion and Public Policy