Chairman Smith on the hearing: “The advancement of fundamental human rights – in particular, freedom of religion – should be a core objective of U.S. foreign policy. By emphasizing such principles, we counter extremist messaging, support moderate voices, and promote the popular aspirations of people around the world who wish to live in freedom and peace. We need to encourage such voices of moderation in the Islamic world, while waging a full-throated war of ideas with radical extremists such as ISIS. The ideological battlefield is just as important as the territorial one.”

Witnesses

Thomas Farr, Ph.D.
President, Religious Freedom Institute
Director, Religious Freedom Research Project
Georgetown University
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

John Lenczowski, Ph.D.
Founder and President
The Institute of World Politics
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Sayyid Syeed, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor
Office of Interfaith and Community Alliances
Islamic Society of North America
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Mr. Neil Hicks
Director
Human Rights Promotion
Human Rights First
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

____________________________

Hearing transcript (PDF)