Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014
PL 113-161 (S.653), enacted 08/08/2014

[113th Congress Public Law 161]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 128 STAT. 1855]]

Public Law 113-161
113th Congress

                                 An Act


 
    To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote 
  Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South 
            Central Asia. <<NOTE: Aug. 8, 2014 -  [S. 653]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Near East and 
South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2014. 22 USC 6411 note.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Near East and South Central Asia 
Religious Freedom Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. SPECIAL ENVOY TO PROMOTE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS 
                    MINORITIES IN THE NEAR EAST AND SOUTH CENTRAL 
                    ASIA.

    (a) <<NOTE: President.>>  Appointment.--The President may appoint a 
Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in 
the Near East and South Central Asia (in this Act referred to as the 
``Special Envoy'') within the Department of State. The Special Envoy 
shall have the rank of ambassador and shall hold the office at the 
pleasure of the President.

    (b) Qualifications.--The Special Envoy should be a person of 
recognized distinction in the field of human rights and religious 
freedom and with expertise in the Near East and South Central Asia.
SEC. 3. DUTIES.

    (a) In General.--The Special Envoy shall carry out the following 
duties:
            (1) Promote the right of religious freedom of religious 
        minorities in the countries of the Near East and the countries 
        of South Central Asia, denounce the violation of such right, and 
        recommend appropriate responses by the United States Government 
        when such right is violated.
            (2) Monitor and combat acts of religious intolerance and 
        incitement targeted against religious minorities in the 
        countries of the Near East and the countries of South Central 
        Asia.
            (3) Work to ensure that the unique needs of religious 
        minority communities in the countries of the Near East and the 
        countries of South Central Asia are addressed, including the 
        economic and security needs of such communities.
            (4) Work with foreign governments of the countries of the 
        Near East and the countries of South Central Asia to address 
        laws that are discriminatory toward religious minority 
        communities in such countries.
            (5) Coordinate and assist in the preparation of that portion 
        of the report required by sections 116(d) and 502B(b) of the

[[Page 128 STAT. 1856]]

        Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d) and 2304(b)) 
        relating to the nature and extent of religious freedom of 
        religious minorities in the countries of the Near East and the 
        countries of South Central Asia.
            (6) Coordinate and assist in the preparation of that portion 
        of the report required by section 102(b) of the International 
        Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6412(b)) relating to 
        the nature and extent of religious freedom of religious 
        minorities in the countries of the Near East and the countries 
        of South Central Asia.

    (b) Coordination.--In carrying out the duties under subsection (a), 
the Special Envoy shall, to the maximum extent practicable, coordinate 
with the Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and 
Migration, the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, 
the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, and 
other relevant Federal agencies and officials.
SEC. 4. DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION.

    Subject to the direction of the President and the Secretary of 
State, the Special Envoy is authorized to represent the United States in 
matters and cases relevant to religious freedom in the countries of the 
Near East and the countries of South Central Asia in--
            (1) contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental 
        organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations, 
        the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and 
        other international organizations of which the United States is 
        a member; and
            (2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to 
        religious freedom in the countries of the Near East and the 
        countries of South Central Asia.
SEC. 5. CONSULTATIONS.

    The Special Envoy shall consult with domestic and international 
nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations and 
institutions, as the Special Envoy considers appropriate to fulfill the 
purposes of this Act.
SEC. 6. SUNSET.

    This Act shall cease to be effective beginning on October 1, 2019.
SEC. 7. FUNDING.

    Of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the 
Secretary of State for ``Diplomatic and Consular Programs'' for fiscal 
years 2015 through 2019, the Secretary of State is authorized to provide 
to the Special Envoy $1,000,000 for each such

[[Page 128 STAT. 1857]]

fiscal year for the hiring of staff, the conduct of investigations, and 
necessary travel to carry out the provisions of this Act.

    Approved August 8, 2014.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 653:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014):
            July 10, considered and passed Senate.
            July 25, considered and passed House.

                                  <all>