§6441 Presidential actions in response to violations of religious freedom

Summary

The President must oppose foreign governments that commit or allow violations of religious freedom and must work to promote religious freedom in those countries. The President must act quickly, after consulting the Secretary of State, the Ambassador-at-Large, the Special Adviser, and the Commission. Each action must be based on the most recent Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, the annual report and executive summary, and any other available evidence, including the Commission’s findings. The President may use one or more measures from a listed set of actions (or a similar substitute) or negotiate a binding agreement with the foreign government. By September 1 each year, the President must take one of the listed actions for every country whose government engaged in or tolerated violations since the prior September 1. The most severe listed measures (numbers 9 through 15) can only be used after extra legal steps are met, and the September 1 deadline does not apply to them. The President can delay those severe measures once for up to 90 days by notifying Congress. The chosen response must match the seriousness of the violations, be narrowly aimed at the responsible government agencies or officials, try to reach binding agreements when possible, and avoid harming the country’s population or humanitarian work.