US legislators present resolution condemning the persecution of Christians in the world

A joint resolution presented last week in the United States by representative Riley Moore, Republican of Western Virginia, and Senator Josh Hawley, Republican of Missuri, condemns the persecution of Christians in Muslim majority countries worldwide.

Presented on July 17, The resolution Follow a A speech Pronounced by Moore in April in the United States House of Representatives, where he addressed “unbridled violence and martyrdom” that Christians suffer throughout the world for “proclaiming their faith in Jesus Christ.”

“Worldwide, our brothers and sisters in Christ face a unbridled persecution simply by recognizing the name of Jesus. That is unacceptable,” he said.

The measure asks the Trump administration to use diplomatic tools, including commercial and security negotiations, to advocate for religious freedom.

The resolution quotes data from the World Surveillance List of Open Doorswhich estimates that more than 380 million Christians worldwide face significant persecution and discrimination, including selective murders, churches closure, forced conversions, denial of the right to worship, kidnappings and displacements in Muslim majority countries such as Egypt, Nigeria, Iran, Pakistan and Syriaamong others.

In Nigeria, more Christians are killed every year than in all other countries together, according to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International. Islamist militants killed almost 200 Christians In an attack in the state of Benue, Nigeriain June.

“Only in Nigeria, more than 50,000 Christians have been martyred and more than 5 million have been displaced simply by professing their faith,” said Moore. “During a divine liturgy in Damascus last month, an Islamic jihadist opened fire against the faithful and detonated an explosive artifact, killing at least 30 people and leaving dozens of injured. These examples illustrate the violence and death that Christians face daily.”

“No one, regardless of their religious origin, should be persecuted by his faith,” said Kelsey Zorzi, director of global religious freedom of ADF Internationalwhich supports the resolution. “However, year after year, Christians are still the most persecuted religious group worldwide, especially in many Muslim majority countries. We applaud the resolution to recognize this serious reality and to urge the action of the United States. When Christians are being killed, silenced or forced to clandestinity, we cannot look elsewhere.”

Moore also criticized the American foreign policy of the past. He cited the violence motivated by religious reasons in Iraq after the failure of the United States to stabilize the country after the 2003 invasion, stating: “Unfortunately, decades of errors in the foreign policy of the United States have aggravated this crisis.”

He then urged action, adding: “We, as legislators, cannot continue sitting without doing anything. I urge my colleagues to join me to condemn the persecution of Christians worldwide.”

Hawley, who presented the same resolution in the United States Senate, echoed Moore’s call, emphasizing the fundamental importance of religious freedom.

“Our country was founded on religious freedom. We cannot stay on the sidelines while Christians worldwide are persecuted to declare Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior,” said Hawley, urging his colleagues to join Him to condemn the persecution of Christians worldwide.

The resolution has received the support of several legislators, with original copatrokers such as representatives Greg Steube, Michael Guest, Glenn Grothman, Addison McDowell, Brandon Gill, Pat Harrigan and Anna Paulina Luna.

También cuenta con el respaldo de organizaciones prominentes, incluyendo Heritage Action for America, la Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, In Defense of Christians, Global Christian Relief, CatholicVote, Advancing American Freedom, Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE), Family Policy Alliance, Christians Engaged y Save the Persecuted Christians.

Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA.