Written by Don Byrd
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom sent a letter to President Obama Wednesday in advance of his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki today. The Commission urged the President to raise concerns about the severe, and worsening religious freedom problems plaguing Iraq.
U.S.-Iraqi cooperation under the Strategic Framework Agreement includes cooperation “to promote Iraq’s efforts in the field of . . . human rights.” If Iraq is to become a stable democracy, its government must make greater efforts to ensure that the human rights and religious freedoms of all Iraqis are guaranteed and enforced equally in law and practice, without regard to religion or sect. In your meeting with Prime Minister al-Maliki, we hope that you will stress to him the vital importance of reducing sectarian tensions in Iraq and protecting freedom of religion. We also hope that you will press him, and offer U.S. assistance as appropriate, to increase efforts to provide security to likely targets of religiously-motivated violence and investigate and prosecute perpetrators consistent with due process of law. Finally, we hope that you will discuss the need for the protection of minority rights and freedoms in the disputed territories.
