,i #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ehgh ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,december #aa1 #bjad ,mr4 ,pitts 7for himself and ,ms4 ,eshoo7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,financial ,services and ,oversight and ,government ,reform1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih to further express ,united ,states foreign policy with respect to1 and to strengthen ,united ,states advocacy on behalf of1 freedom of religion or belief abroad and individuals persecuted in foreign countries on account of religion or belief1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title and table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,shahbaz ,bhatti ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #bjad4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title and table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,findings2 policy4 ,sec4 #c4 ,definitions4 ,title ,i--,department of ,state activities ,sec4 #aja4 ,office on ,international ,religious ,freedom2 ,ambassador at ,large for ,international ,religious ,freedom4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,reports4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,training for ,foreign ,service officers4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,programs and allocations of funds by ,united ,states missions abroad4 ,sec4 #aje4 ,prisoner lists and issue briefs on religious freedom concerns4 ,sec4 #ajf4 ,report on foreign assistance to promote religious freedom and religious engagement4 ,sec4 #ajg4 ,reports on countries not designated as countries of particular concern for religious freedom4 ,title ,,ii--,united ,states ,commission on ,international ,religious ,freedom ,sec4 #bja4 ,report of the ,commission4 ,title ,,iii--,national ,security ,council ,sec4 #cja4 ,special ,adviser on ,international ,religious ,freedom4 ,title ,,iv--,presidential actions ,sec4 #dja4 ,presidential actions in response to violations of religious freedom4 ,sec4 #djb4 ,presidential actions in response to particularly severe violations of religious freedom4 ,sec4 #djc4 ,consultations4 ,sec4 #djd4 ,description of ,presidential actions4 ,sec4 #dje4 ,presidential waiver4 ,sec4 #djf4 ,termination of ,presidential actions4 ,title ,v--,promotion of religious freedom ,sec4 #eja4 ,assistance for promoting religious freedom4 ,sec4 #ejb4 ,international broadcasting4 #b4 ,findings2 policy 7a7 ,findings ,section #b7;a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdja7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#c7 through 7#g7 as paragraphs 7#d7 through 7#h71 respectively2 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#b7 the following new paragraph3 7#c7 ,international religious freedom means the right of all persons to fully enjoy freedom of religion or belief1 as protected by international law1 and applies to the holders of all religious beliefs and those who reject religious belief altogether4 2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#e7 7as so redesignated7-- 7,a7 by striking the second and third sentences and inserting the following3 ,more than #gf percent of the world's population live in countries in which religion is restricted in significant ways1 either by the government or by societal non-state actors4 ,these limitations severely restrict or prohibit the freedom of people to study1 believe1 observe1 and freely practice the religious faith of their choice42 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following new sentence3 ,other governmental violations include registration laws1 laws limiting or prohibiting religious dress or symbols1 anti-conversion laws1 blasphemy laws1 and apostasy laws42 7#d7 by further redesignating paragraph 7#g7 and 7#h7 7as so redesignated7 as paragraphs 7#i7 and 7#ab71 respectively2 7#e7 by inserting after paragraph 7#f7 the following new paragraphs3 7#g7 ,in addition to governments1 non-state actors severely violate freedom of religion or belief4 ,these actors include individuals1 mobs1 vigilante groups1 anti-government insurgents1 militant organizations1 and recognized terrorist groups4 ,in those cases in which governments' legal systems promote intolerance1 non-state actors often act unilaterally to enforce these biased measures4 7#h7 ,over the past #ae years1 the global landscape for religious freedom has deteriorated4 ,while authoritarian governments continue to persecute individuals1 unchecked majoritarianism against religious minorities and increasing acts of violence by religious extremists against any who challenge their ideologies are troubling new threats to this fundamental freedom4 ,such violence includes the #bjaa assassination of ,pakistan's ,minister of ,minority ,affairs1 ,shahbaz ,bhatti1 an advocate for religious freedom4 2 7#f7 by inserting after paragraph 7#i7 7as so redesignated7 the following new paragraphs3 7#aj7 ,freedom of religion or belief also is central to a country's stability and security4 ,religious freedom abuses are linked to abuses of other human rights1 and to instability and violent extremism4 ,wherever religious freedom is abused1 peace and security may be threatened1 affecting societies and in some cases the security of the ,united ,states4 ,as such1 religious freedom merits consideration with economic1 security1 and other concerns4 7#aa7 ,the ,united ,states must do more to promote freedom of religion or belief overseas4 ,this fundamental freedom is under serious and sustained pressure across much of the globe4 2 and 7#g7 by striking paragraph 7#ab7 7as so redesignated7 and inserting the following3 7#ab7 ,congress has recognized and denounced acts of religious persecution through the passage of the following measures and adoption of the following resolutions3 7,a7 ,h4,r4 #bccj of the ,one ,hundred ,eighth ,congress1 which became ,public ,law #ajh-fa1 prohibiting the importation into the ,united ,states of any article that is a product of ,burma 7,myanmar7 until the ,president determines and certifies to ,congress that ,burma has met certain conditions1 including the releasing of all political prisoners and permitting the peaceful exercise of religion4 7,b7 ,h4,r4 #djaa of the ,one ,hundred ,eighth ,congress1 which became ,public ,law #ajh-ccc1 the ,north ,korea ,human ,rights ,act of #bjjd1 which directs the ,secretary of ,state and the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security to report annually on measures taken to facilitate access to the ,united ,states refugee program by persons fleeing countries of particular concern for violations of religious freedom4 7,c7 ,h4,r4 #faih of the ,one ,hundred ,ninth ,congress1 which became ,public ,law #aji-bic1 the ,iran ,freedom ,support ,act1 which holds the current regime in ,iran accountable for its threatening behavior and supports a transition to democracy in ,iran and states that assistance may be provided only to an individual1 organization1 or entity that supports freedom of religion while also expressing the sense of ,congress that ,u4,s4 officials and representatives should draw international attention to ,iran's violations of human rights and freedom of religion4 7,d7 ,house ,resolution #acgj of the ,one ,hundred ,tenth ,congress1 calling on the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china to immediately end abuses of the human rights of its citizens1 to cease repression of ,tibetan and ,uyghur people1 and to end its support for the ,governments of ,sudan and ,burma to ensure that the ,beijing #bjjh ,olympic ,games take place in an atmosphere that honors the ,olympic traditions of freedom and openness4 7,e7 ,house ,resolution #idd of the ,one ,hundred ,eleventh ,congress1 expressing the sense of the ,house of ,representatives on the protection of members of vulnerable religious and ethnic minority communities in ,iraq4 7,f7 ,house ,resolution #acd of the ,one ,hundred ,twelfth ,congress1 condemning the ,government of ,iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its ,baha'i minority and its continued violation of the ,international ,covenants on ,human ,rights4 7,g7 ,house ,resolution #cjf of the ,one ,hundred ,twelfth ,congress1 urging the ,republic of ,turkey to safeguard its ,christian heritage and to return confiscated church properties4 7,h7 ,house ,resolution #dhd of the ,one ,hundred ,twelfth ,congress1 calling on the ,government of the ,socialist ,republic of ,vietnam to respect basic human rights and cease abusing vague national security provisions such as articles #gi and #hh of the ,vietnamese penal code which are often the pretext to arrest and detain citizens who peacefully advocate for religious and political freedom4 7,i7 ,house ,resolution #eef of the ,one ,hundred and ,twelfth ,congress1 condemning the ,government of ,iran for its continued persecution1 imprisonment1 and sentencing of ,youcef ,nadarkhani on the charge of apostasy4 7,j7 ,h4,r4 #eae of the ,one ,hundred ,twelfth ,congress1 which became ,public ,law #aab-ha1 to reauthorize the ,belarus ,democracy ,act of #bjjd1 which authorizes the denial of ,united ,states entry to members of the security or law enforcement services who have participated in the persecution of religious groups or human rights defenders4 7,k7 ,house ,resolution #dah of the ,one ,hundred and ,thirteenth ,congress1 urging the ,government of ,burma to end the persecution of the ,rohingya people and respect internationally recognized human rights for all ethnic and religious minority groups4 7,l7 ,house ,resolution #eii of the ,one ,hundred ,thirteenth ,congress1 urging the ,government of the ,people's ,republic of ,china to respect the freedom of assembly1 expression1 and religion and all fundamental human rights and the rule of law for all its citizens and to stop censoring discussion of the #aihi ,tiananmen ,square demonstrations and their violent suppression4 7,m7 ,house ,resolution #fhc of the ,one ,hundred ,thirteenth ,congress1 expressing the sense of the ,house of ,representatives on the current situation in ,iraq and the urgent need to protect religious minorities from the persecution from the ,sunni ,islamist insurgent and terrorist group the ,islamic ,state in ,iraq and ,levant 7,,isil7 as it expands its control over areas in northwestern ,iraq4 7,n7 ,house ,resolution #gjg of the ,one ,hundred ,thirteenth ,congress1 condemning all forms of anti-,semitism and rejecting attempts to justify anti-,jewish hatred or violent attacks as an acceptable expression of disapproval or frustration over political events in the ,middle ,east or elsewhere4 7,o7 ,h4,r4 #cja of the ,one ,hundred ,thirteenth ,congress1 which became ,public #aac-afa1 to provide for the establishment of the ,special ,envoy to ,promote ,religious ,freedom of ,religious ,minorities in the ,near ,east and ,south ,central ,asia4 7,p7 ,house ,resolution #ged of the ,one ,hundred ,thirteenth ,congress1 condemning the ,government of ,iran for its gross human rights violations4 4 7b7 ,policy ,section #b7;b7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdja7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#e7 as paragraphs 7#c7 through 7#f71 respectively2 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#a7 the following new paragraph3 7#b7 ,to ensure that religious freedom is a central component of ,united ,states foreign policy and receives the appropriate prioritization across government agencies1 including in bilateral diplomacy1 multilateral diplomacy1 public diplomacy1 and programmatic activities of the ,united ,states government4 2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#d7 7as so redesignated71 by inserting and non-state actors after persecuting regimes2 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following new paragraphs3 7#g7 ,to work in coalition with international partners in support of religious freedom in those countries whose governments violate religious freedom or do not take action against those who violate religious freedom or in those cases in which non-state actors perpetrate violations of religious freedom4 7#h7 ,to work with foreign governments and in international fora to support rule of law1 good governance1 and a vigorous civil society and advocate in support of prisoners of conscience abroad whose detentions violate their freedom of religion or belief4 4 #c4 ,definitions ,section #c of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdjb7 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#ac77;,a7-- 7,a7 in clause 7iv71 by striking or at the end2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following new clause3 7vi7 having no religious beliefs2 or 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#ad7 ,non-state actor ,the term non-state actor means any entity outside of government1 including an extremist group or terrorist organization4 4 ,i ,department of ,state activities #aja4 ,office on ,international ,religious ,freedom2 ,ambassador at ,large for ,international ,religious ,freedom 7a7 ,appointment ,section #aja7;b7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdaa7;b77 is amended by adding at the end before the period the following3 1 and shall report directly to the ,secretary of ,state4 7b7 ,advisory role ,section #aja7;c77#b7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdaa7;c77#b77 is amended by striking a principal adviser and inserting the principal adviser4 #ajb4 ,reports 7a7 ,annual report on international religious freedom2 deadline for submission ,section #ajb7;b77#a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdab7;b77#a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7,a7 in clause 7ii71 by adding at the end before the semicolon the following3 or perpetrated by non-state actors2 7,b7 in clause 7iii7-- 7i7 by adding at the end before the semicolon the following3 or perpetrated by non-state actors2 and 7ii7 by striking and at the end2 7,c7 by redesignating clause 7iv7 as clause 7vii72 and 7,d7 by inserting after clause 7iii7 7as so amended7 the following new clauses3 7iv7 particularly severe violations of religious freedom occurring in the country but where a government does not exist or the government does not control its territory2 7v7 an identification of whether the country is designated or re-designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom under section #djb and1 if the country is designated or re-designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom1 a description of the presidential action or actions that have been taken with respect to the country as described in section #djb2 7vi7 an identification of prisoners in that country pursuant to section #ajh2 and 2 and 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,c7-- 7,a7 by striking ,a description and inserting ,a comprehensive description2 7,b7 by striking the measures and inserting the specific measures2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end before the period the following3 and an analysis of the impact of such actions and policies on the status of religious freedom in the country4 7b7 ,annual report on international religious freedom2 congressional hearings and briefings required ,section #ajb7;b7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdab7;b77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 ,congressional hearings and briefings required ,the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate shall1 not later than #cj days after the receipt by ,congress of the report submitted under paragraph 7#a71 hold hearings on the report1 including any recommendations contained therein1 and not later than #ahj days after the date of completion of such hearings1 the ,ambassador at ,large shall meet with such ,committees to brief such ,committees on the report and on progress to date with respect to implementation of such recommendations4 4 7c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section take effect on the date of the enactment of this ,act and apply with respect to each ,annual ,report on ,international ,religious ,freedom that is required to be submitted to ,congress under section #ajb of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdab7 7as so amended7 on or after such date of enactment4 #ajc4 ,training for ,foreign ,service officers 7a7 ,in general ,subsection 7a7 of section #gjh of the ,foreign ,service ,act of #aihj 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #djbh7 is amended by inserting members of the ,united ,states ,commission on ,international ,religious ,freedom1 after ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih14 7b7 ,other required training ,section #gjh of the ,foreign ,service ,act of #aihj 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #djbh7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,the ,secretary of ,state1 with the assistance of other relevant officials as specified in subsection 7a71 shall ensure that the standard training described in such subsection shall1 at a minimum1 be a required segment of each of the following3 7#a7 ,the ,a-#ajj course attended by all officers of the ,service4 7#b7 ,the courses required of all officers of the ,service prior to a posting abroad1 tailored to the religious demography1 status of religious freedom1 and ,united ,states strategies for advancing religious freedom in the country of posting4 7#c7 ,the courses required of all deputy chiefs of mission and all chiefs of mission4 4 7c7 ,report ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,ambassador at ,large for ,international ,religious ,freedom and the ,director of the ,national ,foreign ,affairs ,training ,center1 shall submit to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate a comprehensive plan for administering training of ,foreign ,service officers required under section #gjh of the ,foreign ,service ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #djbh71 as amended by this section4 #ajd4 ,programs and allocations of funds by ,united ,states missions abroad ,section #ajf of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdae7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking sense of the ,congress and inserting policy of the ,united ,states2 and 7#b7 in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b71 by striking should each place it appears and inserting shall4 #aje4 ,prisoner lists and issue briefs on religious freedom concerns 7a7 ,in general ,section #ajh7;b7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdag7;b77 is amended by inserting the ,united ,states ,commission on ,international ,religious ,freedom1 after ,united ,states chiefs of mission abroad14 7b7 ,availability of lists ,section #ajh7;c7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdag7;c77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,in addition1 the ,secretary of ,state shall transmit the lists of persons imprisoned1 detained1 or placed under house arrest prepared under subsection 7b7 not later than #ahj days after the enactment of the ,shahbaz ,bhatti ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #bjad1 and every #ahj days thereafter1 to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate1 the ,tom ,lantos ,human ,rights ,commission1 and the ,senate ,human ,rights ,caucus44 #ajf4 ,report on foreign assistance to promote religious freedom and religious engagement 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,state1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,defense1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 and the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 shall submit to ,congress a report on the best uses of foreign assistance to promote the goals of religious freedom and religious engagement1 while also making a distinction between these two goals4 7b7 ,elements ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall address how assistance and other ,united ,states government actions can strengthen the protection of religious minorities and dissenters1 strengthen democratic institutions1 and foster a vibrant civil society1 and create civic space for religious debate and discussion4 7c7 ,deadline ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall be submitted to ,congress not later than #ahj days after the date on which the first ,annual ,report on ,international ,religious ,freedom required under section #ajb7;b7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdab7;b77 is submitted to ,congress after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7d7 ,hearings and briefings ,the information contained in the report required by subsection 7a7 report shall be included in the congressional hearings and briefings required in paragraph 7#c7 of section #ajb7;b7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdab7;b77 7as added by section #ajb7;b7 of this ,act74 #ajg4 ,reports on countries not designated as countries of particular concern for religious freedom 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date on which the ,president designates countries as a country of particular concern for religious freedom under section #djb of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddb71 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to ,congress a report on the lack of designation by the ,president of any other countries recommended for such designation by the ,united ,states ,commission on ,international ,religious ,freedom4 7b7 ,report relating to ,pakistan ,in addition to the report required by subsection 7a71 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to ,congress a report that focuses specifically on the lack of designation by the ,president of ,pakistan as a country of particular concern for religious freedom under section #djb of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddb7 despite the repeated recommendation for such designation by the ,united ,states ,commission on ,international ,religious ,freedom4 ,,ii ,united ,states ,commission on ,international ,religious ,freedom #bja4 ,report of the ,commission ,section #bje of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdcc7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,congressional hearings and briefings required ,the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate shall1 not later than #cj days after the receipt by ,congress of the report submitted under subsection 7a71 hold hearings on the report1 including any recommendations contained therein1 and not later than #ahj days after the date of completion of such hearings1 the ,commission shall meet with such ,committees on the report and on progress with respect to implementation of such recommendations to date4 4 ,,iii ,national ,security ,council #cja4 ,special ,adviser on ,international ,religious ,freedom ,section #aja7k7 of the ,national ,security ,act of #aidg 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #cjba7k77 is amended in the first sentence by inserting senior before director4 ,,iv ,presidential actions #dja4 ,presidential actions in response to violations of religious freedom 7a7 ,response to violations of religious freedom ,section #dja7;a77#a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdda7;a77#a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a77i71 by adding at the end before the semicolon the following3 or carried out by non-state actors in that country2 and 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by inserting before 1 the ,president the following3 and for each foreign country in which non-state actors carry out violations of religious freedom4 7b7 ,presidential actions ,section #dja7;b77#b7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdda7;b77#b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,september #a of each year and inserting #cj days after the date on which each report is submitted under section #ajb7;b72 7#b7 by striking action and inserting #a or more of the actions2 7#c7 by inserting or in which non-state actors in that country carried out violations of religious freedom before at any time2 7#d7 by striking ,september #a of the preceding year and inserting the previous such report was submitted2 and 7#e7 by striking thereto7 and all that follows and inserting thereto7 the action may only be taken after the ,president certifies to ,congress that the requirements of sections #djc and #djd have been satisfied44 7c7 ,implementation ,section #dja7;c77#a77;,b7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdda7;c77#a77;,b77 is amended by inserting or the non-state actors in that country1 after special officials thereof14 7d7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section take effect on the date of the enactment of this ,act and apply with respect to each ,annual ,report on ,international ,religious ,freedom that is required to be submitted to ,congress under section #ajb of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdab7 7as so amended7 on or after such date of enactment4 #djb4 ,presidential actions in response to particularly severe violations of religious freedom 7a7 ,response to particularly severe violations of religious freedom ,section #djb7;a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddb7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a77;,a71 by adding at the end before the semicolon the following3 or carried out by non-state actors2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting 1 or a non-state actor has carried out1 after engaged in or tolerated4 7b7 ,designation of countries of particular concern for religious freedom ,section #djb7;b7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddb7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by striking ,september #a of each year and inserting #cj days after the date on which each report is submitted under section #ajb7;b72 7ii7 by striking whether and inserting whether1 during the preceding #ab months12 7iii7 by inserting 1 or in which a non-state actor has carried out1 after engaged in or tolerated each place it appears2 and 7iv7 by striking during the preceding #ab months or since the date of the last review of that country under this subparagraph1 whichever period is longer2 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,c7-- 7i7 by inserting or non-state actor after foreign country2 and 7ii7 by striking and may take place any time prior to ,september #a of the respective year and inserting and before the date on which the report is submitted under section #ajb7;b72 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting 1 or the non-state actor specifically responsible for the particularly severe violations of religious freedom1 after by that government2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking as soon as practicable and inserting not later than #cj days2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking and at the end2 7,c7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,d7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,c7 the actions taken1 the purposes of the actions taken1 and evaluation of any previous actions taken pursuant to a designation by the ,president of a country as a country of particular concern for religious freedom under this section4 2 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#d7 ,termination ,a country that has been designated a country of particular concern for religious freedom under this section retains such designation until the ,president determines such designation should be terminated and submits to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the reasons for such termination4 4 7c7 ,presidential actions with respect to countries of particular concern for religious freedom ,section #djb7;c77#e7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddb7;c77#e77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the second sentence-- 7,a7 by striking must and inserting shall2 7,b7 by striking he determines and inserting the ,president determines2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end before the period the following3 and include a description of the impact of the designation of such sanction or sanctions2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new sentence3 ,the ,president shall submit to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate a report that explains why the decision was made to designate the specific sanction or sanctions which the ,president determines satisfy the requirements of this subsection44 #djc4 ,consultations ,section #djc7;a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddc7;a77 is amended by striking ,as soon as practicable and inserting ,not later than #cj days4 #djd4 ,description of ,presidential actions 7a7 ,in general ,section #dje7;a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdde7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#i7 through 7#ae7 as paragraphs 7#aj7 through 7#af71 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#h7 the following new paragraph3 7#i7 ,the raising of concerns and initiation of actions through multilateral and regional bodies4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendments ,the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdja et seq47 is amended in sections #c7c71 #dja7;c77#b71 #djb7;c77#a77;,a71 #djc7;a71 #djd7;a71 #dje7;b71 and #djg7;a7 by striking paragraphs 7#i7 through 7#ae7 each place it appears and inserting paragraphs 7#aj7 through 7#af74 #dje4 ,presidential waiver ,section #djg7;a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddg7;a771 as amended by section #djd7;b71 is further amended by inserting for a period not to exceed #ahj days after may waive4 #djf4 ,termination of ,presidential actions 7a7 ,in general ,section #dji of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddi7 is amended to read as follows3 #dji4 ,termination of ,presidential actions ,any ,presidential action taken under this ,act with respect to a foreign country shall remain in effect unless expressly terminated by ,presidential actions based upon the determination by the ,president and certification to ,congress that the foreign government has ceased or taken substantial and verifiable steps to cease the particularly severe violations of religious freedom4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by this section takes effect on the date of the enactment of this ,act and applies with respect to any ,presidential action taken under the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7as so amended7 on or after such date of enactment4 ,v ,promotion of religious freedom #eja4 ,assistance for promoting religious freedom ,section #eja of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,economic support fund assistance 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 assistance authorized to be provided under chapter #d of part ,,ii of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bcdf et seq42 relating to the ,economic ,support ,fund7 should include assistance-- 7,a7 to entities and individuals in support of religious freedom1 the rule of law1 good governance1 and the creation of a strong and vibrant civil society2 and 7,b7 to provide enhanced security for human rights and religious freedom defenders4 7#b7 ,limitation 7,a7 ,in general ,assistance authorized to be provided under the provisions of law specified in subparagraph 7,b7 may not be provided to a foreign government that is designated or re-designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom under section #djb until the ,secretary of ,state certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the government of such country has agreed to use such funds to support improvements in respecting international standards of religious freedom for all its residents and to take measures to address discrimination and violence against religious minorities or dissenting members of the majority community in such country4 7,b7 ,provisions of law ,the provisions of law specified in this subparagraph are the following3 7i7 ,chapter #d of part ,,ii of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa4 7ii7 ,part ,,ii of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa4 7iii7 ,the ,arms ,export ,control ,act4 7#c7 ,waiver ,the ,president may waive for a period not to exceed #ahj days the application of paragraph 7#b7 if the ,president determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that-- 7,a7 the exercise of such waiver authority would further the purposes of this ,act2 or 7,b7 it is important to the national interest of the ,united ,states to provide for the exercise of such waiver authority4 7d7 ,programs ,to promote and protect freedom of religion or belief 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,president1 acting through the ,federal departments and other entities described in paragraph 7#c77;,b71 is authorized to carry out programs related to the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief in foreign countries4 ,such programs shall focus on supporting civil society1 especially in countries designated or re-designated as countries of particular concern for religious freedom under section #djb1 or recommended by the ,united ,states ,commission on ,international ,religious ,freedom for such designation or re-designation4 7#b7 ,elements ,programs carried out under paragraph 7#a7 shall include proposed reforms to a country's education systems to promote respect for religious tolerance and freedom4 7#c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,president #ag1jjj1jjj for each of the fiscal years #bjae through #bjah to carry out this subsection1 of which-- 7,a7 #e1jjj1jjj is authorized to be appropriated to each of the ,office on ,international ,religious ,freedom within the ,department of ,state1 the ,national ,endowment for ,democracy1 and the ,united ,states ,institute for ,peace2 and 7,b7 #b1jjj1jjj is authorized to be appropriated to the ,united ,states ,commission on ,international ,religious ,freedom4 7e7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that the ,secretary of ,state should prioritize the protection of religious minorities and places where these minorities reside and congregate when developing policy and directing programs that are administered by the ,department of ,defense4 4 #ejb4 ,international broadcasting ,section #ejb of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,section #cjc7;a7 and inserting 7a7 ,in general4--,section #cjc7;a72 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7b7 ,availability of funds ,amounts authorized to be appropriated for democracy programs of the ,bureau of ,democracy1 ,human ,rights and ,labor of the ,department of ,state1 the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 and the ,broadcasting ,board of ,governors are authorized to be used to support the development and implementation of innovative uses of the ,internet and other electronic methods to support freedom of religion or belief abroad4 4