Religious Coalition Asks Congress to Support Democracy, Human Rights in Russia
October 17th, 2003 by sfuqua
A coalition of religious leaders, activists, and academics has asked the United States Congress to maintain support and development of non-governmental organizations in Russia to address issues of religious freedom, human rights, and democracy.
Washington, D.C. - A coalition of religious leaders,
activists, and academics has asked the United States Congress to maintain
support and development of non-governmental organizations in Russia to
address issues of religious freedom, human rights, and democracy.
In a letter to House and Senate leaders initiated by the Institute on
Religion and Public Policy, the coalition asks that Congress not approve the
Bush Administration’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2004 which would
decrease Freedom Support Act (FSA) assistance to Russia by a significant
amount.
Since 1992, many Russian-led groups have been established to protect the
rights of religious believers during the process of transformation and
democratization. Their success has been due in large part to the support
provided by the United States through the Freedom Support Act.
The letter points out that, “Reductions in funding for FSA programs in
Russia will inhibit the implementation of a great number of valuable civil
initiatives that protect the rights of religious believers. This will affect
the development of civil society in Russia as a whole.”
“This crucial funding enables Russian non-governmental organizations to
continue their important work towards democratization, human rights, and
religious freedom protections,” commented Institute President Joseph K.
Grieboski. “Critics have argued that this is an obscure, bloated federal
grant program. However, those critics have failed to acknowledge that many of
the recipient groups lack local Russian sources of support and believe that
cuts in FSA are likely to put their very survival at risk. US support has
also provided them with important backing to take on tough and controversial
issues that may make them targets by politically motivated groups.”
Copies of the letter may be obtained from the
Institute on Religion and Public
Policy website, via e-mail at IRPP@religionandpolicy.org, or by calling
202-835-8760.
