WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined a letter led by Senator James Lankford (R-OK) to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback urging the State Department to consider recommendations made by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) when determining Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) and placement of countries on the Special Watch List (SWL).

“Our nation was founded on the principle that all people have a right to freely practice the faith of their choice, without fear of persecution by their government of any other actors. As the leader of the free world, it is vital that the United States model and promote this crucial human right and our values to the rest of the world as a fundamental part of our foreign policy objectives,” wrote the senators. “In order to accomplish that goal, we must first publicly highlight abuse, persecution and discrimination experienced by people and groups of faith around the world.”

CPC and SWL designations by the Secretary of State often differ from USCIRF recommendation. CPC countries are nations engaged in severe violations of religious freedom under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).  Similarly, an SWL country does not meet all of the CPC criteria, but engages in or tolerates severe violations of religious freedom.

Senators Kevin Cramer and James Lankford were joined on the letter by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tim Scott (R-SC), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Steve Daines (R-MT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Joe Manchin (D-WV).

Click here to read the letter.