Message from the Chair
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Felice D. Gaer
Chair

 
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom continues to provide new data and insights into the dimensions and impact of religious repression and intolerance in countries worldwide.

The Commissioners on this bipartisan federal body assess and propose U.S. foreign policy action to advance freedom of thought, conscience, and religion and other freedoms needed to protect people at risk of abuses, such as killing, detention, or torture. 

In carrying out this work, Commissioners begin by examining conditions in countries, then review how the U.S. government is responding, and as warranted, formulate options for further action.

Commission recommendations and reports have prodded a wide array of new bills in Congress and policy measures by the Executive Branch. 

Through this work, we seek to advance the visibility of and serious thinking about how the United States can best address the challenges of religious extremism, intolerance, and repression throughout the world.