USCIRF Statement on State Department’s Creation of “Commission on Unalienable Rights”

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauds today’s announcement by Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo that the U.S. Department of State has created the Commission on Unalienable Rights, a new commission to provide the Secretary of State advice and recommendations concerning international human rights matters.

“USCIRF is very pleased that the State Department is continuing to make human rights an integral part of U.S. foreign policy and relations. We applaud the creation of this Commission as another way of ensuring that the protection of these fundamental rights – the most foundational of which is freedom of religion or belief – is a core element of strategic policy discussions,” said Chair Tony Perkins. 

USCIRF stands ready to work with this new Commission in providing advice and recommendations to guide U.S. diplomatic and foreign policy decisions and actions with respect to international religious freedom.

“To the degree that this new Commission within the State Department can help further communicate from Washington to the Department’s farthest outposts the importance and urgency of religious freedom concerns as a fundamental human right, we believe this will lead to higher impact negotiations on behalf of the more than 70% of the world’s population that is currently suffering persecution or abuse,” stated Vice Chair Gayle Manchin.