House Ok's Renewal of Religious Freedom Commission

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a five-year renewal of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

The independent, bipartisan commission reports on violations of religious rights abroad. It also recommends actions the United States could take against countries that persecute or fail to prevent persecution of people of faith.
    
Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Ill., said the case of Meriam Ibrahim, the Christian mother of two sentenced to death by a Sudanese court for refusing to recant her Christian faith, proves the need for this commission.
    
Ibrahim, who was freed two weeks ago, remains in legal limbo as she takes refuge at the U.S. embassy in Sudan.

"As someone with deeply held religious convictions, I believe that everyone has the fundamental right to profess their faith and practice their religion wherever in the world they may live," the Christian Post quoted Hultgren.

"As Miriam Ibrahim remains safe but in legal limbo at the U.S. embassy in Sudan, it is imperative we maintain vigilance in protecting religious freedom abroad," he said.

The USCIRF's renewal is still pending the Senate's approval.