State Department
The Latest
Human rights leaders call for Nigeria to be redesignated as religious freedom violator
In 2021, the Biden administration removed Nigeria, a nation notorious for extreme levels of religious persecution, from the Countries of... Read more
U.S. bishops mark 25th anniversary of International Religious Freedom Act
The bishops called the 1998 law a “landmark” piece of legislation meant to protect the “essential and inviolable” principle of... Read more
‘This thing’s going to blow up on us’: The religious extremism fueling violence in Nigeria
Escalating bloodshed in Nigeria is fueled in part by religious extremism – and the United States must recognize this in... Read more
'You don’t negotiate with evil': Former ambassador hopes Vatican reconsiders deal with China
The former U.S. religious freedom ambassador hopes that a new report documenting abuses by the Chinese Communist Party will prompt... Read more
State Department allowing U.S. embassies to fly LGBT 'Pride' flags
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is allowing U.S. diplomatic posts around the world to fly the LGBT “Pride” flag on... Read more
‘Reproductive rights are human rights,’ U.S. Secretary of State says
“Reproductive rights” are “human rights,” the U.S. Secretary of State emphasized on Tuesday upon the release of the State Department’s... Read more
Senate confirms Catholic law professor as Asst. Secretary of State
Robert Destro, a law professor at Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law, was confirmed by the Senate as... Read more
Despite McCarrick abuse claims, State Department leaves questions unanswered
Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick made several overseas trips with the U.S. State Department, including some documented on Wikileaks, but a... Read more
US Secretary of State announces major religious freedom meeting
The U.S. government will host its first-ever Ministerial Meeting to Advance Religious Freedom this summer, newly-confirmed Secretary of State Mike... Read more
State Department removes 'reproductive rights' section from human rights report
The U.S. State Department has removed the term “reproductive rights” from its annual human rights report, drawing praise from pro-life... Read more
A plea to the US Secretary of State: Recognize anti-Christian genocide
The U.S. must not ignore the Islamic State’s genocide of Christians. That is the position of a petition drive and... Read more
Advocates chide US – stop ignoring religiously-motivated violence
The U.S. must recognize all causes of religious freedom abuses around the world – including religious motivations where they exist,... Read more
Why a new State Department position could spell trouble for religious liberty
The State Department’s new LGBT special envoy will promote human rights abroad but could also pose a serious threat to... Read more
China, Russia faulted for not protecting trafficking victims
A State department official has testified before Congress explaining that China, Russia and Uzbekistan have not made adequate progress in... Read more
