Today, as we mark International Religious Freedom Day, we recognize the courage of those people throughout history - and among us today - who have fought against persecution or discrimination on the basis of religion or belief.
In too many places around the world, excessive government regulation of religion and religious life is alienating citizens from their governments - and too many individuals are still being harassed, displaced, arrested, tortured, and even killed simply because of their religious beliefs.
The United States was founded on the principle of religious freedom, and the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act codified our commitment to upholding that right around the globe.
Advancing religious freedom is a key component of our work as a development agency, because religious freedom, like all fundamental freedoms, is critical for democracies to flourish and countries to develop in a way that lifts all people up. Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion is interconnected with so many other rights that the U.S. government and USAID stand for, including freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, and equal protection under the law - and countries that effectively safeguard religious freedom and other human rights are consistently more peaceful, stable, and prosperous than those that do not.
At a time when people around the world face threats and oppression because of their beliefs, USAID promotes religious tolerance and respect for every person's right to believe and practice as they choose. We support individuals and groups standing up for religious freedom and human rights, often against great odds and in the face of intimidation and threats. We seek accountability when discrimination or violence occurs or freedom of religion or belief is suppressed.
Today, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting religious freedom for all people, and to using all available tools to advance this universal right.
