US HR738

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended 12 nations for Special Watch List designation: Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey, and Uzbekistan

Resolution documents specific violations by country, including blasphemy prosecutions, forced church closures, detention of religious minorities, destruction of religious sites, and restrictions on worship for groups including Christians, Muslims, Jews, Baha'is, and Yazidis

Affirms the U.S. should maintain global leadership in advancing religious freedom abroad and urges the Secretary of State to engage robustly with allies and partners on the issue

Affirms the importance of the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism

Notes the Department of State designated Algeria, Azerbaijan, Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam to the Special Watch List on December 29, 2023