Katrina Lantos Swett

We think that the application of sanctions directed at specific people implicated in human rights and religious freedom abuses is incredibly important.

This is going to be part of our official policy that the promotion of human rights should be a central and principal goal of American foreign policy.

That vulnerability needs to be exploited, not merely to achieve progress on the nuclear front, but to achieve progress on the human rights front.

Unfortunately, the appalling treatment of Pastor Abedini reflects the dismal reality of religious freedom and human rights in Iran today.

I commend your focus on the continued deterioration of religious freedom conditions in Iran, most notably for Christians and other religious minorities.

USCIRF stands with Ms. Abedini and her family, has called repeatedly for the Pastor's release, and urges the U.S. Government at the highest levels to demand his release.

Congress has an extraordinary role, has had an extraordinary role historically in being the conscience of our nation when it comes to human rights.

Congress isn't trying to tie any particular administration's hands, but sometimes they are trying to force our Government's hand in a positive way.

I am a big believer in the school of linkage and not decoupling of human rights from our other essential foreign policy goals.

I do think a central part of the answer to that question is that human rights, religious freedom have to be elevated in the public discourse.

You have a lot of power when it comes to leading the human rights agenda.

If they are unwilling to do something so easy, so easy, then I think we have to be concerned about their willingness to do something very hard which is unwind a very elaborate and deceptive and deeply embedded nuclear program.