A resolution calling on the Government of Afghanistan to uphold freedom of religion and urging the Government of the United States to promote religious freedom in Afghanistan.

Bill: 109-sres-421
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2006-04-04 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Afghanistan
Arrest
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Democracy
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Human rights
Prosecution
Religion
Religious liberty
South Asia

Summary:
action_date: 2006-04-04
text: 
States that the Senate: (1) recognizes freedom of religion as a central tenet of democracy; (2) respects the right of the people of Afghanistan to self-government, while urging the government of Afghanistan to respect all universally recognized human rights; (3) condemns the arrest of Abdul Rahman and other instances of religious persecution in Afghanistan; (4) commends the dropping of charges against Abdul Rahman; and (5) urges the government of Afghanistan to consider the importance of religious freedom in the broader U.S.-Afghanistan relationship. 
 
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President and the President's representatives should: (1) raise concerns at the highest levels with the government of Afghanistan regarding the violations of internationally recognized human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief; and (2) ensure that the International Religious Freedom Report 2006 for Afghanistan fully addresses the issue of religious persecution in that country, including the arrest of Abdul Rahman. 

action_date: 2006-04-04
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
States that the Senate: (1) recognizes freedom of religion as a central tenet of democracy; (2) respects the right of the people of Afghanistan to self-government, while urging the government of Afghanistan to respect all universally recognized human rights; (3) condemns the arrest of Abdul Rahman and other instances of religious persecution in Afghanistan; (4) commends the dropping of charges against Abdul Rahman; and (5) urges the government of Afghanistan to consider the importance of religious freedom in the broader U.S.-Afghanistan relationship. 
 
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President and the President's representatives should: (1) raise concerns at the highest levels with the government of Afghanistan regarding the violations of internationally recognized human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief; and (2) ensure that the International Religious Freedom Report 2006 for Afghanistan fully addresses the issue of religious persecution in that country, including the arrest of Abdul Rahman. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-04-04
text: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2842-2843; text: CR S2843; text of measure as introduced: CR S2805-2806)
action_date: 2006-04-04
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S2842-2843; text: CR S2843; text of measure as introduced: CR S2805-2806)
action_date: 2006-04-04
text: Introduced in Senate