hearing transcript (pdf - 690 kb) - House Foreign Affairs Committee ...

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Fifth, a similar dynamic has emerged which must be described
as discrimination rather than persecution, but which is rooted in
the same impulse of disproportionate response to a just concern. In
France, sweeping anti-cult legislation passed last year. To the credit
of the French legal system, thus far those who have sought to
use that law against religious practitioners have met with failure.
Yet the law itself remains problematic not only because of the
threat that the language carries in France, but because it is even
now being considered for emulation by countries that lack France’s
commitment to rule of law and human rights. I might add when
I travel to China and Vietnam, this is coming up.
Finally, religion-based terrorism by nongovernmental actors,
though often with ties to rogue regimes, is emerging as a major
cause of religious persecution. Terrorist organizations such as al
Qaeda are growing in number. These groups define their goals in
religious terms and view human beings as mere obstacles to violent
instatement of tyranny under the guise of religion.
Let me just summarize now by saying, in conclusion, once again
how profoundly privileged I feel to be here today to represent before
you the needs and the suffering of so many noble men and
women around the world. I also feel privileged in this work because
I know I stand with so many people of goodwill. They are Members
of Congress, such as many in this room, who have worked long and
hard to make this issue a priority in our foreign policy. They are
Foreign Service officers who meet in the dark of night to help believers
in harm’s way. They are members of my staff at the Office
of International Religious Freedom, men and women who are devoting
their professional lives to the cause of religious freedom for
all. And they are, of course, our President and Secretary of State,
who care deeply about religious freedom.
But at the end of the day, all of us who care about this issue are
privileged because we stand with the persecuted. We stand with
the millions of men and women around the world who yearn simply
for the freedom to practice their religious beliefs without fear of
government coercion or reprisal. This report is for them. I believe
it gives them hope. Indeed, we hear from them sometimes, and
they tell us it gives them hope. At the very least, it communicates
to the persecuted and to their tormentors that we will not forget
them. And that we will never abandon their cause.
Thank you, Madam Chair and Members of the Subcommittee, for
being here today and for your commitment to religious freedom. I
would be pleased to answer any questions.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you, Ambassador, for an excellent
statement.
[The prepared statement of Ambassador Hanford follows:]
PREPARED STATEMENT OF JOHN HANFORD, AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR
INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Madam Chair and Members of the Subcommittee, let me begin by thanking you
for holding this hearing on the 2002 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom.
Members of this Committee have led the way in shining light on the persecution
endured by religious believers around the world, and this hearing serves an important
role in that process. I want to express to each of you here today my appreciation
and gratitude for your commitment to religious freedom.
It is my privilege and honor to serve our President, the American people, and courageous
men and women of faith around the world, as Ambassador at Large for
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