The US urgently needs a confirmed ambassador for religious freedom
Key takeaways
- A protester holds balloons calling for religious freedom outside the US Supreme Court on April 28, 2015 in Washington, DC.
- The U.S. has taken on exactly such a responsibility when it comes to international religious freedom.
- The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 mandates a Senate-confirmed ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, a senior diplomat carrying the full weight of the U.S.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
A protester holds balloons calling for religious freedom outside the US Supreme Court on April 28, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Olivier Douliery/Getty Images) There is a Spanish pun that cuts to the heart of accountability: El que tiene tienda, que atienda. It is loosely translated as He who keeps a shop must mind it. If you have taken on a responsibility, you must see it through.
The U.S. has taken on exactly such a responsibility when it comes to international religious freedom. It is undeniable that religious freedom is a priority for this administration, but in order to effectively advocate for our persecuted brothers and sisters, that responsibility demands urgent, confirmed leadership.
The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 mandates a Senate-confirmed ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, a senior diplomat carrying the full weight of the U.S. government, empowered to engage foreign heads of state, build international coalitions and ensure that the cause of conscience is not quietly traded away for other diplomatic interests. That position needs to be filled now.