Sheila Jackson Lee: “As a cosponsor and a senior Member of the House of Representatives, I rise in strong support of this bipartisan…”

“As a cosponsor and a senior Member of the House of Representatives, I rise in strong support of this bipartisan resolution, H. Res. 512, ``Calling for the global repeal of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws''. First and foremost, I would like to recognize and thank Congressman Jamie Raskin for his leadership on this vital resolution. Mr. Speaker, this resolution calls upon the President and the Department of State to prioritize the repeal of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws in bilateral relationships between the United States and countries that have such laws. It also designates countries that enforce such laws as ``countries of particular concern'' with respect to religious freedom. Furthermore, H. Res. 512 opposes efforts by the United Nations to implement an international anti-blasphemy norm. Lastly, the resolution calls on the governments of countries that enforce such laws to either amend or repeal them as well as to release anyone imprisoned pursuant to them. Blasphemy laws, as is noted in the resolution, lead to religious intolerance, discrimination and violence. Moreover, these laws are often weaponized to target marginalized religious communities. Charges can be based on false accusations and are commonly brought forth for sectarian or political purposes. In 2019, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom released its 20th Annual Report, recommending that the U.S.…”