§6402 Definitions

Summary

Defines the main words used in this chapter so readers know what each term means. Ambassador at Large — the official called the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom (appointed under section 6411(b)). Annual Report — the yearly report on international religious freedom required under section 6412(b). Appropriate congressional committees — normally the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Committee on International Relations, and for some presidential actions also the House Banking and Financial Services Committee and the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. Commensurate action — an action the President must take under section 6445(b). Commission — the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom created under section 6431(a). Country Reports on Human Rights Practices — the annual State Department reports to Congress under sections 2151n(d) and 2304(b). Executive Summary — the short summary that goes with the Annual Report. Government or foreign government — includes government agencies and similar bodies. Human Rights Reports — all State Department reports sent to Congress under sections 2151n and 2304. Institution of higher education — has the meaning given in section 1001 of title 20. Non-state actor — a non-government group that holds political power and territory, is outside government control, and often uses violence. Office — the Office on International Religious Freedom (section 6411(a)). Particularly severe violations of religious freedom — systematic, ongoing, serious abuses such as torture, long detention without charges, disappearances, or other extreme denials of life, liberty, or safety. Special Adviser — the President’s Special Adviser on International Religious Freedom (see section 3021(i) of title 50). Special Watch List — the Special Watch List described in section 6442(b)(1)(A)(iii). Violations of religious freedom — breaches of the right to practice religion, including bans or punishments for worship, speech, changing or rejecting faith, owning or sharing religious materials, or raising children in a faith, and violent acts like detention, heavy fines, forced labor or resettlement, forced conversion or recantation, torture, rape, enslavement, murder, or execution.