ICC Calls on Obama Administration to Nominate Religious Freedom Ambassador

Washington, D.C. (November 18, 2009)–International Christian Concern (ICC) is calling on President Obama to nominate a candidate for the vacant US Ambassador-At-Large for International Religious Freedom. By failing to fill this position the US lacks the leadership vital to its global religious freedom commitment.

The US Ambassador-At-Large for International Religious Freedom heads up the Office of International Religious Freedom at the State Department, whose mission is to promote religious freedom as a core objective of U.S. foreign policy. The office monitors religious persecution and discrimination worldwide, recommends and implements policies in respective regions or countries, and develops programs to promote religious freedom.

ICC’s Regional Manager, Jeremy Shull, said “During his Asia trip this week, President Obama said ‘freedom of expression and worship should be available to all people ’. However, the leadership of the State Department Office of International Religious Freedom has been vacant since Obama began as President more than nine months ago. If religious freedom is going to be a priority to the administration it is essential that tangible steps be taken toward addressing this inconsistency in our own government.”