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Promoting Religious Freedom Abroad: The Scope of U.S. Foreign Policy
Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) has become an essential element of US foreign policy, which seeks to monitor religious persecution and discrimination around the world as well as protect individuals’ choice of religion as a fundamental human right. Critics, on the other hand, have denounced the law as another provocative tool of US unilateralism, for its Christian bias, and for maintaining double standards by not enforcing punitive actions against countries of strategic interest.
The 2004 IRFA Annual Report lists several Asian countries – Burma, China, Iran, North Korea and Vietnam – as “countries of particular concern” (CPC) subject to possible sanctions under the Act.
Given the profound impact and influence of religion in shaping world events as well as the American political arena, this timely event will help to inform the debate on the role of the US in protecting religious freedom and the rights of religious minorities abroad.
Panelists will examine the reason and rationale for the creation of the IRFA and its attendant Commission and State Department office. They will explore the scope of US policies emerging from the Act and the implications of the 2004 designations of certain Asian countries as “CPC.” They will also discuss the international perspectives on the applicability of the IRFA as a human rights tool, as well as the fundamental question on the appropriate role of the state in religion.
Keynote address by: Preeta Bansal, Chair of U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Date: 11/30/2004
Location: 725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, New York City
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Organized By: Asia Society and Museum
Cost: $7 Students w/ ID $10 Member/NGO $15 Nonmember
Contact: 212-517-ASIA
Web: www.asiasociety.org
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