Religious persecution ‘has actually increased’ despite U.S. law

Now is under pressure even in America and Western Europe

By WND News Services

(Photo by Ben White on Unsplash)

[Editor’s note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Wire.]

By Thomas F. Farr
Real Clear Wire

Twenty-five years ago this month, a unanimous Congress passed the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act. IRFA created a new office at the State Department, headed by an ambassador at large, with a mandate to condemn religious persecution and advance religious freedom in U.S. foreign policy.

At the time, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright resisted the law on behalf of the administration, arguing that religious freedom should not be given special treatment in U.S. diplomacy. Political realities (including President Clinton’s looming impeachment trial) induced the president to sign IRFA, but the Albright objection has survived to become a major impediment to the law’s successful implementation.

READ MORE>>>>