Katrina Lantos Swett: “Simply stated, religious freedom abuses often trigger violent religious extremism, including terrorism.”

When you have societies that repress, oppress, persecute on the basis of sectarianism and religion, you create the seedbed for extremism...

Every human being has the right to freedom and of the freedom from religion, and ensuring these rights are upheld and protected worldwide should be a key component to American foreign policy.

the progress of freedom requires courage, it requires people in extraordinarily difficult circumstances who are willing to put their safety, their well-being on the line.

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