THE MITCHELL FIRM, INC.

Made contacts in support of S 3895, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2022. This bill reauthorizes the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom through FY2024. This bill passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent on July 20, 2022; passed the House by a roll call vote of 402-4 on motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill; and was signed by the President on September 30, 2022. It became Public Law 117-181.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $10,000

Matched citations: S 3895

1. Lobbying for passage of HR 3355, Save Americas Forgotten Equines Act of 2022 or the SAFE Act of 2022. This bill prohibits the transporting, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation by a person of an equine (e.g., horse) that the person has reason to believe will be slaughtered for human consumption. 2. Lobbying for passage of S 2732, John Stringer Rainey Save America's Forgotten Equines Act or the John Stringer Rainey SAFE Act. This bill prohibits the knowing sale or transport of horses for purposes of human consumption.

Client expense: — · Firm income: —

Matched citations: HR 3355

1. Lobbying for passage of HR 3355, Save Americas Forgotten Equines Act of 2022 or the SAFE Act of 2022. This bill prohibits the transporting, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation by a person of an equine (e.g., horse) that the person has reason to believe will be slaughtered for human consumption. 2. Lobbying for passage of S 2732, John Stringer Rainey Save America's Forgotten Equines Act or the John Stringer Rainey SAFE Act. This bill prohibits the knowing sale or transport of horses for purposes of human consumption.

Client expense: — · Firm income: —

Matched citations: S 2732

On behalf of 106 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts in support of the immediate confirmation of Rashad Hussain as the new Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. It is vitally important that this position be filled. For even as we speak, the cause of religious freedom finds itself in an increasingly precarious position, as we see restrictions on religion rising around the world. Mr. Rashad Hussain is impeccably qualified for the position of Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. He has worked to promote religious freedom for people of all faiths for more than a decade, having served as U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation from 2010-2015 and U.S. Special Envoy for strategic counterterrorism communications from 2015-2017. He currently serves as the Director for Partnerships and Global Engagement at the U.S. National Security Council. The appointment of the new IRF Ambassador will reaffirm the importance of this fundamental human right and assure persecuted communities that America continues to stand for their freedoms. On behalf of 70 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express concerns about the fate of vulnerable religious minorities in Afghanistan, who face abuses at the hands of the Taliban and its affiliates solely because of their religious beliefs; and to urge the White House and the State Department to create an additional P-2 refugee status category for these Afghan religious minorities or to support Congressional efforts to enlarge the P-2 category on an emergency basis. In short, for many religious minorities their status as believers in a faith not approved by the Taliban is a death sentence. Reports of killings of religious minorities are increasing, and many are in hiding. Hundreds of Shia worshippers were killed or wounded in successive ISIS-K suicide bombings at mosques in Kunduz and in Kandahar on October 2 and October 15, 2021. The United States must act to protect these communities now. Unfortunately, religious minorities were not included when the State Department created a P-2 category for certain Afghan nationals who are at risk of harm on August 2, 2021. Eligibility for a P-2 visa allows individuals who are members of a group that the U.S. government has identified as of special humanitarian concern to apply directly to the US refugee admission program (USRAP), without first having to obtain a US Embassy or NGO referral or having to apply, be processed, and be referred by the UNHCR. Our request is supported by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom recommendation that the U.S. State Department create a Priority 2 (P-2) category for vulnerable Afghan religious minorities. Similarly, Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA-14) introduced H.R. 4736 on July 28, 2021, with 45 co-sponsors, which would require the State Department to provide for priority refugee slots for Afghans at special risk of persecution, including those at risk due to their religion, race or nationalities. Other groups, including those representing humanists and atheists, have asked for P-2 visas for Afghan religious minorities. Made contacts to secure a meeting for client to discuss the Churchs current situation in Russia, where their religious freedom is being violated.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $5,000

Matched citations: H.R. 4736

On behalf of 150 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge members of Congress to co-sponsor the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, (H.R. 6210 or S. 3471), to ensure that American product supply chains are not funding the Chinese governments oppression of the Uyghurs and other Muslim groups in Xinjiang. Forced labor programs are a chilling component of the CCPs brutal campaign of repression of Xinjiangs Muslims religious freedoms. Chinas government is estimated to imprison over 1 million Muslims in reeducation camps where they face separation from their families, indoctrination, and torture. Unfortunately, the nightmare for many of these Muslims does not end at the walls of the camps. Chinese government officials coerce many former camp prisoners and local Muslim residents to work in government approved factories and other workplaces as part of their larger campaign to destroy their cultural identity and bring them under the complete control of the state. Congress should ensure that American dollars are not funding this oppression through the importation of products made by forced labor from the Xinjiang Region. The New York Times reported that the products made off the backs of these oppressed people are going into several global supply chains of products such as textiles and personal protective equipment that are going to consumers in the United States. On behalf of 91 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge U.S. government leaders to urge for the recognition of the achievements of U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback by awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ambassador Brownback richly deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom, having spent his life in the service of others. Specific to religious liberty, Brownback had an extensive track record in Congress. During his sixteen years in the House and Senate, he was a leading advocate for international religious freedom. He was a key sponsor of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA). With his help, the Senate passed the act unanimously. IRFA passed the House with similarly overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. IRFA established a legal mandate for the promotion of religious freedom as a key element of U.S. foreign policy. It also created Brownbacks current position in the State Departments Office of International Religious Freedom and established the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. As Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, Brownback has been remarkable. He has dramatically advanced the cause of religious freedom worldwide. In fact, he is working in partnership with civil society to stir actions, build a global movement around religious freedom, and get the various faiths to bind together and stand for each others freedom of religion or belief. We wholeheartedly believe that Ambassador Brownback is immensely deserving of this honorable and prestigious award. His thirty-four years of public service and willingness to always defend and fight for the least among us proves his worthiness of this award. On behalf of 55 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge U.S. government leaders to urge the Hungarian government to respect religious freedom for everyone, consistent with the 2017 Budapest Resolution, which included clear statements that condemn any action aimed at denying or curtailing the free exercising of basic human rights, with particular emphasis on violations of religious freedom; calls upon the worlds governments and international organizations to seek long-term solutions in order to end the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and to ensure the exercising of all human rights, including that of the free exercising of religion in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and urges common action on behalf of the worlds governments and international organizations to end atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities, and to implement immediate and concrete measures in accordance with that goal.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $10,000

Matched citations: H.R. 6210

On behalf of 150 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge members of Congress to co-sponsor the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, (H.R. 6210 or S. 3471), to ensure that American product supply chains are not funding the Chinese governments oppression of the Uyghurs and other Muslim groups in Xinjiang. Forced labor programs are a chilling component of the CCPs brutal campaign of repression of Xinjiangs Muslims religious freedoms. Chinas government is estimated to imprison over 1 million Muslims in reeducation camps where they face separation from their families, indoctrination, and torture. Unfortunately, the nightmare for many of these Muslims does not end at the walls of the camps. Chinese government officials coerce many former camp prisoners and local Muslim residents to work in government approved factories and other workplaces as part of their larger campaign to destroy their cultural identity and bring them under the complete control of the state. Congress should ensure that American dollars are not funding this oppression through the importation of products made by forced labor from the Xinjiang Region. The New York Times reported that the products made off the backs of these oppressed people are going into several global supply chains of products such as textiles and personal protective equipment that are going to consumers in the United States. On behalf of 91 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge U.S. government leaders to urge for the recognition of the achievements of U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback by awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ambassador Brownback richly deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom, having spent his life in the service of others. Specific to religious liberty, Brownback had an extensive track record in Congress. During his sixteen years in the House and Senate, he was a leading advocate for international religious freedom. He was a key sponsor of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA). With his help, the Senate passed the act unanimously. IRFA passed the House with similarly overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. IRFA established a legal mandate for the promotion of religious freedom as a key element of U.S. foreign policy. It also created Brownbacks current position in the State Departments Office of International Religious Freedom and established the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. As Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, Brownback has been remarkable. He has dramatically advanced the cause of religious freedom worldwide. In fact, he is working in partnership with civil society to stir actions, build a global movement around religious freedom, and get the various faiths to bind together and stand for each others freedom of religion or belief. We wholeheartedly believe that Ambassador Brownback is immensely deserving of this honorable and prestigious award. His thirty-four years of public service and willingness to always defend and fight for the least among us proves his worthiness of this award. On behalf of 55 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge U.S. government leaders to urge the Hungarian government to respect religious freedom for everyone, consistent with the 2017 Budapest Resolution, which included clear statements that condemn any action aimed at denying or curtailing the free exercising of basic human rights, with particular emphasis on violations of religious freedom; calls upon the worlds governments and international organizations to seek long-term solutions in order to end the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and to ensure the exercising of all human rights, including that of the free exercising of religion in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and urges common action on behalf of the worlds governments and international organizations to end atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities, and to implement immediate and concrete measures in accordance with that goal.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $10,000

Matched citations: S. 3471

On behalf of 150 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge members of Congress to co-sponsor the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, (H.R. 6210 or S. 3471), to ensure that American product supply chains are not funding the Chinese governments oppression of the Uyghurs and other Muslim groups in Xinjiang. Forced labor programs are a chilling component of the CCPs brutal campaign of repression of Xinjiangs Muslims religious freedoms. Chinas government is estimated to imprison over 1 million Muslims in reeducation camps where they face separation from their families, indoctrination, and torture. Unfortunately, the nightmare for many of these Muslims does not end at the walls of the camps. Chinese government officials coerce many former camp prisoners and local Muslim residents to work in government approved factories and other workplaces as part of their larger campaign to destroy their cultural identity and bring them under the complete control of the state. Congress should ensure that American dollars are not funding this oppression through the importation of products made by forced labor from the Xinjiang Region. The New York Times reported that the products made off the backs of these oppressed people are going into several global supply chains of products such as textiles and personal protective equipment that are going to consumers in the United States. On behalf of 91 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our deepest concerns about the urgent crisis in Hong Kong, which represents a clear and present danger to religious freedom and all other fundamental rights and freedoms. The President has rightly said that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is absolutely smothering freedom in Hong Kong and that such behavior will not go unpunished. We have nonetheless reached the day the communist regime actualizes this unacceptable crackdown with its formal adoption of a national security law that violates Chinas international treaty commitments and that will render this once-free territory just another enslaved Chinese city suffering savage oppression. We must not allow this to happen without imposing real and material costs on the CCP. Fortunately, the Defense Department has illuminated a way in which this can be swiftly accomplished-one that both conforms to longstanding U.S. statutory requirements and unmistakably demonstrates our resolve. On June 24, the Pentagon produced a list of twenty Communist Chinese military companies that are doing business, directly or indirectly, in this country. Pursuant to P.L. 105-261, Sec. 1237, the President is authorized by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to penalize such Peoples Liberation Army-tied corporations. By swiftly shutting down their operations inside the United States and terminating their access to our capital markets, we can simultaneously advance our national security interests and deliver a strong response to the CCP suppression of Hong Kong. We urged this action as a much needed and very tangible demonstration of our nations solidarity with the people of Hong Kong and those elsewhere in China who are already being denied religious and other freedoms. On behalf of 60 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge emergency measures to ensure open and free access to the internet for those facing a resurgence of human rights abuses in China. The Chinese governments crackdown on the freedom of Hong Kongs people and its deadly COVID-19 misinformation campaigns pose an urgent threat to global human rights. The Chinese governments Great Firewall is actively censoring the free flow of information on the internet. The messages of brave protestors standing for freedom in Hong Kong cannot reach mainland Chinese citizens who are locked in a virtual prison of internet censorship. Now the CCP is openly flouting its international agreements and acting aggressively to remove the rights guaranteed to Hong Kong. The reach of Chinas internet oppression now threatens to extend to Hong Kong with the Court of Final Appeals rulings and the new Chinese draft national security law. Chinas persecution of religious groups and the ensuing cover up both rely on its strict internet censorship, whether the targeted group is Falun Gong, Christians, Uyghurs, or Tibetans. Without quick, decisive action to tear down the censorship wall, these same violations will likely dismantle the religious freedom Hong Kong has long possessed. Despite the Chinese governments efforts, several existing firewall circumvention tools have already provided hundreds of thousands of users with uncensored internet access. We asked for funds to be designated for firewall circumvention tools such as Ultrasurf, Lantern, and Freegate that are already on the GSA schedule and so can quickly receive emergency funding. In this way many more people can get accurate information. On behalf of 55 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge U.S. government leaders to urge the Hungarian government to respect religious freedom for everyone, consistent with the 2017 Budapest Resolution, which included clear statements that condemn any action aimed at denying or curtailing the free exercising of basic human rights, with particular emphasis on violations of religious freedom; calls upon the worlds governments and international organizations to seek long-term solutions in order to end the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and to ensure the exercising of all human rights, including that of the free exercising of religion in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and urges common action on behalf of the worlds governments and international organizations to end atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities, and to implement immediate and concrete measures in accordance with that goal.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $10,000

Matched citations: H.R. 6210

On behalf of 150 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge members of Congress to co-sponsor the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, (H.R. 6210 or S. 3471), to ensure that American product supply chains are not funding the Chinese governments oppression of the Uyghurs and other Muslim groups in Xinjiang. Forced labor programs are a chilling component of the CCPs brutal campaign of repression of Xinjiangs Muslims religious freedoms. Chinas government is estimated to imprison over 1 million Muslims in reeducation camps where they face separation from their families, indoctrination, and torture. Unfortunately, the nightmare for many of these Muslims does not end at the walls of the camps. Chinese government officials coerce many former camp prisoners and local Muslim residents to work in government approved factories and other workplaces as part of their larger campaign to destroy their cultural identity and bring them under the complete control of the state. Congress should ensure that American dollars are not funding this oppression through the importation of products made by forced labor from the Xinjiang Region. The New York Times reported that the products made off the backs of these oppressed people are going into several global supply chains of products such as textiles and personal protective equipment that are going to consumers in the United States. On behalf of 91 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our deepest concerns about the urgent crisis in Hong Kong, which represents a clear and present danger to religious freedom and all other fundamental rights and freedoms. The President has rightly said that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is absolutely smothering freedom in Hong Kong and that such behavior will not go unpunished. We have nonetheless reached the day the communist regime actualizes this unacceptable crackdown with its formal adoption of a national security law that violates Chinas international treaty commitments and that will render this once-free territory just another enslaved Chinese city suffering savage oppression. We must not allow this to happen without imposing real and material costs on the CCP. Fortunately, the Defense Department has illuminated a way in which this can be swiftly accomplished-one that both conforms to longstanding U.S. statutory requirements and unmistakably demonstrates our resolve. On June 24, the Pentagon produced a list of twenty Communist Chinese military companies that are doing business, directly or indirectly, in this country. Pursuant to P.L. 105-261, Sec. 1237, the President is authorized by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to penalize such Peoples Liberation Army-tied corporations. By swiftly shutting down their operations inside the United States and terminating their access to our capital markets, we can simultaneously advance our national security interests and deliver a strong response to the CCP suppression of Hong Kong. We urged this action as a much needed and very tangible demonstration of our nations solidarity with the people of Hong Kong and those elsewhere in China who are already being denied religious and other freedoms. On behalf of 60 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge emergency measures to ensure open and free access to the internet for those facing a resurgence of human rights abuses in China. The Chinese governments crackdown on the freedom of Hong Kongs people and its deadly COVID-19 misinformation campaigns pose an urgent threat to global human rights. The Chinese governments Great Firewall is actively censoring the free flow of information on the internet. The messages of brave protestors standing for freedom in Hong Kong cannot reach mainland Chinese citizens who are locked in a virtual prison of internet censorship. Now the CCP is openly flouting its international agreements and acting aggressively to remove the rights guaranteed to Hong Kong. The reach of Chinas internet oppression now threatens to extend to Hong Kong with the Court of Final Appeals rulings and the new Chinese draft national security law. Chinas persecution of religious groups and the ensuing cover up both rely on its strict internet censorship, whether the targeted group is Falun Gong, Christians, Uyghurs, or Tibetans. Without quick, decisive action to tear down the censorship wall, these same violations will likely dismantle the religious freedom Hong Kong has long possessed. Despite the Chinese governments efforts, several existing firewall circumvention tools have already provided hundreds of thousands of users with uncensored internet access. We asked for funds to be designated for firewall circumvention tools such as Ultrasurf, Lantern, and Freegate that are already on the GSA schedule and so can quickly receive emergency funding. In this way many more people can get accurate information. On behalf of 55 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge U.S. government leaders to urge the Hungarian government to respect religious freedom for everyone, consistent with the 2017 Budapest Resolution, which included clear statements that condemn any action aimed at denying or curtailing the free exercising of basic human rights, with particular emphasis on violations of religious freedom; calls upon the worlds governments and international organizations to seek long-term solutions in order to end the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and to ensure the exercising of all human rights, including that of the free exercising of religion in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and urges common action on behalf of the worlds governments and international organizations to end atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities, and to implement immediate and concrete measures in accordance with that goal.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $10,000

Matched citations: S. 3471

On behalf of 55 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about the nuanced religious freedom situation in Hungary and urge U.S. government leaders to raise this issue in private bilateral discussions with Hungarian officials. The Hungarian government should be urged to respect religious freedom for everyone, consistent with the 2017 Budapest Resolution, which included clear statements that condemn any action aimed at denying or curtailing the free exercising of basic human rights, with particular emphasis on violations of religious freedom; calls upon the worlds governments and international organizations to seek long-term solutions in order to end the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and to ensure the exercising of all human rights, including that of the free exercising of religion in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and urges common action on behalf of the worlds governments and international organizations to end atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities, and to implement immediate and concrete measures in accordance with that goal. On behalf of 43 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our serious concerns over the human rights violations and religious freedom abuses in The Peoples Republic of China. As the U.S. government seeks to counter China economically and militarily, we urge leaders to counter China morally as well, making these concerns a top priority in trade negotiations and ensuring that international religious liberty remains a top foreign policy priority with respect to China. For decades, the Communist Party of China has routinely violated the basic human rights of millions in their country by strictly controlling how many children a family can legally have, using extreme forms of technological surveillance to monitor their citizens, and seeking to control the speech of their citizens and snuff out the free exercise of religion. In the annual global human rights report, the State Department referred to Chinas re-education camps for Uyghur Muslims as some of the worst human rights violations since the 1930s, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that China was in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations. The broad efforts to sinicize all religious practice in China, from Islam to Christianity to Buddhism to Falun Gong, is directly inconsistent with international human rights and religious freedom norms, standards, and law. If unchallenged, these norms and standards will be eroded, threatening the lives and freedoms of millions more around the world who are subject to autocratic regimes. On behalf of 28 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about restrictions on religion in the Republic of Kazakhstan; and to urge U.S. government leaders to engage the Kazakh President and leaders of his government regarding the 2011 Religion Law and related amendments to the Criminal Code and Administrative Code, and urge them to amend the 2011 Religion Law and related articles in these Codes in order to bring them into conformity with international human rights standards, Kazakhstan's international commitments, and its own Constitution. On behalf of 23 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge swift action to take up two bills addressing the human-rights crisis in the Uyghur Region of China: the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019 (H.R. 649 and S. 178), and the Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response Act of 2019 H.R. 1025). Reports have now confirmed large-scale, highly secretive prisoner-transport to remote parts of the country. Many thousands of children are now experiencing their third year of separation from their parents through forced placement in state orphanage institutions. Reports of deaths in detention are increasing, despite the extreme secrecy preventing information from reaching the outside world. The State Departments December 4 Senate testimony provided an estimate of between 800,000 and possibly over two million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim communities detained in extralegal prison-camps for secret indefinite detention, where they are forced to denounce their religion and identity. They are subject to inhuman torture, withholding of medical care, food and water deprivation, humiliation and ill-treatment, as well as forced labor. The long arm of the Chinese governments repression also reaches Uyghurs living abroad, who are being pressured to return home, to remain silent about the human-rights crisis, or even to spy, through threats to their families. Six reporters working for the Congressionally supported Radio Free Asia Uyghur Service have suffered cruel reprisals as a result of their work, with more than 30 of their relatives detained or disappeared. This demonstrates the lengths the Chinese government is willing to go to silence Uyghurs, and is a direct challenge to the rights and well-being of U.S. citizens. U.S. leadership on the crisis, as it enters its third year, will pave the way for other governments and the United Nations to call the Chinese government to account and impose genuine consequences for Chinas trampling of international norms on a shocking scale. Many governments remain intimidated by Chinese threats of retaliation and reprisals. It is up to the U.S., the champion of liberal values and the country that did the most to lead the world out of the ashes of World War Two, to lead the way once again.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $20,000

Matched citations: H.R. 1025

On behalf of 55 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about the nuanced religious freedom situation in Hungary and urge U.S. government leaders to raise this issue in private bilateral discussions with Hungarian officials. The Hungarian government should be urged to respect religious freedom for everyone, consistent with the 2017 Budapest Resolution, which included clear statements that condemn any action aimed at denying or curtailing the free exercising of basic human rights, with particular emphasis on violations of religious freedom; calls upon the worlds governments and international organizations to seek long-term solutions in order to end the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and to ensure the exercising of all human rights, including that of the free exercising of religion in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and urges common action on behalf of the worlds governments and international organizations to end atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities, and to implement immediate and concrete measures in accordance with that goal. On behalf of 43 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our serious concerns over the human rights violations and religious freedom abuses in The Peoples Republic of China. As the U.S. government seeks to counter China economically and militarily, we urge leaders to counter China morally as well, making these concerns a top priority in trade negotiations and ensuring that international religious liberty remains a top foreign policy priority with respect to China. For decades, the Communist Party of China has routinely violated the basic human rights of millions in their country by strictly controlling how many children a family can legally have, using extreme forms of technological surveillance to monitor their citizens, and seeking to control the speech of their citizens and snuff out the free exercise of religion. In the annual global human rights report, the State Department referred to Chinas re-education camps for Uyghur Muslims as some of the worst human rights violations since the 1930s, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that China was in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations. The broad efforts to sinicize all religious practice in China, from Islam to Christianity to Buddhism to Falun Gong, is directly inconsistent with international human rights and religious freedom norms, standards, and law. If unchallenged, these norms and standards will be eroded, threatening the lives and freedoms of millions more around the world who are subject to autocratic regimes. On behalf of 28 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about restrictions on religion in the Republic of Kazakhstan; and to urge U.S. government leaders to engage the Kazakh President and leaders of his government regarding the 2011 Religion Law and related amendments to the Criminal Code and Administrative Code, and urge them to amend the 2011 Religion Law and related articles in these Codes in order to bring them into conformity with international human rights standards, Kazakhstan's international commitments, and its own Constitution. On behalf of 23 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge swift action to take up two bills addressing the human-rights crisis in the Uyghur Region of China: the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019 (H.R. 649 and S. 178), and the Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response Act of 2019 H.R. 1025). Reports have now confirmed large-scale, highly secretive prisoner-transport to remote parts of the country. Many thousands of children are now experiencing their third year of separation from their parents through forced placement in state orphanage institutions. Reports of deaths in detention are increasing, despite the extreme secrecy preventing information from reaching the outside world. The State Departments December 4 Senate testimony provided an estimate of between 800,000 and possibly over two million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim communities detained in extralegal prison-camps for secret indefinite detention, where they are forced to denounce their religion and identity. They are subject to inhuman torture, withholding of medical care, food and water deprivation, humiliation and ill-treatment, as well as forced labor. The long arm of the Chinese governments repression also reaches Uyghurs living abroad, who are being pressured to return home, to remain silent about the human-rights crisis, or even to spy, through threats to their families. Six reporters working for the Congressionally supported Radio Free Asia Uyghur Service have suffered cruel reprisals as a result of their work, with more than 30 of their relatives detained or disappeared. This demonstrates the lengths the Chinese government is willing to go to silence Uyghurs, and is a direct challenge to the rights and well-being of U.S. citizens. U.S. leadership on the crisis, as it enters its third year, will pave the way for other governments and the United Nations to call the Chinese government to account and impose genuine consequences for Chinas trampling of international norms on a shocking scale. Many governments remain intimidated by Chinese threats of retaliation and reprisals. It is up to the U.S., the champion of liberal values and the country that did the most to lead the world out of the ashes of World War Two, to lead the way once again.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $20,000

Matched citations: H.R. 649

On behalf of 55 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about the nuanced religious freedom situation in Hungary and urge U.S. government leaders to raise this issue in private bilateral discussions with Hungarian officials. The Hungarian government should be urged to respect religious freedom for everyone, consistent with the 2017 Budapest Resolution, which included clear statements that condemn any action aimed at denying or curtailing the free exercising of basic human rights, with particular emphasis on violations of religious freedom; calls upon the worlds governments and international organizations to seek long-term solutions in order to end the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and to ensure the exercising of all human rights, including that of the free exercising of religion in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and urges common action on behalf of the worlds governments and international organizations to end atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities, and to implement immediate and concrete measures in accordance with that goal. On behalf of 43 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our serious concerns over the human rights violations and religious freedom abuses in The Peoples Republic of China. As the U.S. government seeks to counter China economically and militarily, we urge leaders to counter China morally as well, making these concerns a top priority in trade negotiations and ensuring that international religious liberty remains a top foreign policy priority with respect to China. For decades, the Communist Party of China has routinely violated the basic human rights of millions in their country by strictly controlling how many children a family can legally have, using extreme forms of technological surveillance to monitor their citizens, and seeking to control the speech of their citizens and snuff out the free exercise of religion. In the annual global human rights report, the State Department referred to Chinas re-education camps for Uyghur Muslims as some of the worst human rights violations since the 1930s, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that China was in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations. The broad efforts to sinicize all religious practice in China, from Islam to Christianity to Buddhism to Falun Gong, is directly inconsistent with international human rights and religious freedom norms, standards, and law. If unchallenged, these norms and standards will be eroded, threatening the lives and freedoms of millions more around the world who are subject to autocratic regimes. On behalf of 28 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about restrictions on religion in the Republic of Kazakhstan; and to urge U.S. government leaders to engage the Kazakh President and leaders of his government regarding the 2011 Religion Law and related amendments to the Criminal Code and Administrative Code, and urge them to amend the 2011 Religion Law and related articles in these Codes in order to bring them into conformity with international human rights standards, Kazakhstan's international commitments, and its own Constitution. On behalf of 23 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge swift action to take up two bills addressing the human-rights crisis in the Uyghur Region of China: the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019 (H.R. 649 and S. 178), and the Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response Act of 2019 H.R. 1025). Reports have now confirmed large-scale, highly secretive prisoner-transport to remote parts of the country. Many thousands of children are now experiencing their third year of separation from their parents through forced placement in state orphanage institutions. Reports of deaths in detention are increasing, despite the extreme secrecy preventing information from reaching the outside world. The State Departments December 4 Senate testimony provided an estimate of between 800,000 and possibly over two million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim communities detained in extralegal prison-camps for secret indefinite detention, where they are forced to denounce their religion and identity. They are subject to inhuman torture, withholding of medical care, food and water deprivation, humiliation and ill-treatment, as well as forced labor. The long arm of the Chinese governments repression also reaches Uyghurs living abroad, who are being pressured to return home, to remain silent about the human-rights crisis, or even to spy, through threats to their families. Six reporters working for the Congressionally supported Radio Free Asia Uyghur Service have suffered cruel reprisals as a result of their work, with more than 30 of their relatives detained or disappeared. This demonstrates the lengths the Chinese government is willing to go to silence Uyghurs, and is a direct challenge to the rights and well-being of U.S. citizens. U.S. leadership on the crisis, as it enters its third year, will pave the way for other governments and the United Nations to call the Chinese government to account and impose genuine consequences for Chinas trampling of international norms on a shocking scale. Many governments remain intimidated by Chinese threats of retaliation and reprisals. It is up to the U.S., the champion of liberal values and the country that did the most to lead the world out of the ashes of World War Two, to lead the way once again.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $20,000

Matched citations: S. 178

Made contacts regarding S. 386 and H.R. 1044, Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019. That now is not the right time to pass this bill considering a more comprehensive immigration reform bill is being developed. We need more time to study this specific issue and consider how this bill fits into the broader context and other planned reforms; and to ensure it's fair to both American workers and those who are working here on high-skilled work visas.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $10,000

Matched citations: H.R. 1044

Made contacts regarding S. 386 and H.R. 1044, Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019. That now is not the right time to pass this bill considering a more comprehensive immigration reform bill is being developed. We need more time to study this specific issue and consider how this bill fits into the broader context and other planned reforms; and to ensure it's fair to both American workers and those who are working here on high-skilled work visas.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $10,000

Matched citations: S. 386

S. 386 and H.R. 1044, Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019

Client expense: — · Firm income: —

Matched citations: H.R. 1044

S. 386 and H.R. 1044, Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019

Client expense: — · Firm income: —

Matched citations: S. 386

On behalf of 55 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about the nuanced religious freedom situation in Hungary and urge U.S. government leaders to raise this issue in private bilateral discussions with Hungarian officials. The Hungarian government should be urged to respect religious freedom for everyone, consistent with the 2017 Budapest Resolution, which included clear statements that condemn any action aimed at denying or curtailing the free exercising of basic human rights, with particular emphasis on violations of religious freedom; calls upon the worlds governments and international organizations to seek long-term solutions in order to end the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and to ensure the exercising of all human rights, including that of the free exercising of religion in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and urges common action on behalf of the worlds governments and international organizations to end atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities, and to implement immediate and concrete measures in accordance with that goal. On behalf of 43 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our serious concerns over the human rights violations and religious freedom abuses in The Peoples Republic of China. As the U.S. government seeks to counter China economically and militarily, we urge leaders to counter China morally as well, making these concerns a top priority in trade negotiations and ensuring that international religious liberty remains a top foreign policy priority with respect to China. For decades, the Communist Party of China has routinely violated the basic human rights of millions in their country by strictly controlling how many children a family can legally have, using extreme forms of technological surveillance to monitor their citizens, and seeking to control the speech of their citizens and snuff out the free exercise of religion. In the annual global human rights report, the State Department referred to Chinas re-education camps for Uyghur Muslims as some of the worst human rights violations since the 1930s, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that China was in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations. The broad efforts to sinicize all religious practice in China, from Islam to Christianity to Buddhism to Falun Gong, is directly inconsistent with international human rights and religious freedom norms, standards, and law. If unchallenged, these norms and standards will be eroded, threatening the lives and freedoms of millions more around the world who are subject to autocratic regimes. On behalf of 28 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about restrictions on religion in the Republic of Kazakhstan; and to urge U.S. government leaders to engage the Kazakh President and leaders of his government regarding the 2011 Religion Law and related amendments to the Criminal Code and Administrative Code, and urge them to amend the 2011 Religion Law and related articles in these Codes in order to bring them into conformity with international human rights standards, Kazakhstan's international commitments, and its own Constitution. On behalf of 23 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge swift action to take up two bills addressing the human-rights crisis in the Uyghur Region of China: the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019 (H.R. 649 and S. 178), and the Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response Act of 2019 H.R. 1025). Reports have now confirmed large-scale, highly secretive prisoner-transport to remote parts of the country. Many thousands of children are now experiencing their third year of separation from their parents through forced placement in state orphanage institutions. Reports of deaths in detention are increasing, despite the extreme secrecy preventing information from reaching the outside world. The State Departments December 4 Senate testimony provided an estimate of between 800,000 and possibly over two million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim communities detained in extralegal prison-camps for secret indefinite detention, where they are forced to denounce their religion and identity. They are subject to inhuman torture, withholding of medical care, food and water deprivation, humiliation and ill-treatment, as well as forced labor. The long arm of the Chinese governments repression also reaches Uyghurs living abroad, who are being pressured to return home, to remain silent about the human-rights crisis, or even to spy, through threats to their families. Six reporters working for the Congressionally supported Radio Free Asia Uyghur Service have suffered cruel reprisals as a result of their work, with more than 30 of their relatives detained or disappeared. This demonstrates the lengths the Chinese government is willing to go to silence Uyghurs, and is a direct challenge to the rights and well-being of U.S. citizens. U.S. leadership on the crisis, as it enters its third year, will pave the way for other governments and the United Nations to call the Chinese government to account and impose genuine consequences for Chinas trampling of international norms on a shocking scale. Many governments remain intimidated by Chinese threats of retaliation and reprisals. It is up to the U.S., the champion of liberal values and the country that did the most to lead the world out of the ashes of World War Two, to lead the way once again.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $20,000

Matched citations: H.R. 1025

On behalf of 55 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about the nuanced religious freedom situation in Hungary and urge U.S. government leaders to raise this issue in private bilateral discussions with Hungarian officials. The Hungarian government should be urged to respect religious freedom for everyone, consistent with the 2017 Budapest Resolution, which included clear statements that condemn any action aimed at denying or curtailing the free exercising of basic human rights, with particular emphasis on violations of religious freedom; calls upon the worlds governments and international organizations to seek long-term solutions in order to end the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and to ensure the exercising of all human rights, including that of the free exercising of religion in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and urges common action on behalf of the worlds governments and international organizations to end atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities, and to implement immediate and concrete measures in accordance with that goal. On behalf of 43 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our serious concerns over the human rights violations and religious freedom abuses in The Peoples Republic of China. As the U.S. government seeks to counter China economically and militarily, we urge leaders to counter China morally as well, making these concerns a top priority in trade negotiations and ensuring that international religious liberty remains a top foreign policy priority with respect to China. For decades, the Communist Party of China has routinely violated the basic human rights of millions in their country by strictly controlling how many children a family can legally have, using extreme forms of technological surveillance to monitor their citizens, and seeking to control the speech of their citizens and snuff out the free exercise of religion. In the annual global human rights report, the State Department referred to Chinas re-education camps for Uyghur Muslims as some of the worst human rights violations since the 1930s, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that China was in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations. The broad efforts to sinicize all religious practice in China, from Islam to Christianity to Buddhism to Falun Gong, is directly inconsistent with international human rights and religious freedom norms, standards, and law. If unchallenged, these norms and standards will be eroded, threatening the lives and freedoms of millions more around the world who are subject to autocratic regimes. On behalf of 28 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about restrictions on religion in the Republic of Kazakhstan; and to urge U.S. government leaders to engage the Kazakh President and leaders of his government regarding the 2011 Religion Law and related amendments to the Criminal Code and Administrative Code, and urge them to amend the 2011 Religion Law and related articles in these Codes in order to bring them into conformity with international human rights standards, Kazakhstan's international commitments, and its own Constitution. On behalf of 23 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge swift action to take up two bills addressing the human-rights crisis in the Uyghur Region of China: the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019 (H.R. 649 and S. 178), and the Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response Act of 2019 H.R. 1025). Reports have now confirmed large-scale, highly secretive prisoner-transport to remote parts of the country. Many thousands of children are now experiencing their third year of separation from their parents through forced placement in state orphanage institutions. Reports of deaths in detention are increasing, despite the extreme secrecy preventing information from reaching the outside world. The State Departments December 4 Senate testimony provided an estimate of between 800,000 and possibly over two million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim communities detained in extralegal prison-camps for secret indefinite detention, where they are forced to denounce their religion and identity. They are subject to inhuman torture, withholding of medical care, food and water deprivation, humiliation and ill-treatment, as well as forced labor. The long arm of the Chinese governments repression also reaches Uyghurs living abroad, who are being pressured to return home, to remain silent about the human-rights crisis, or even to spy, through threats to their families. Six reporters working for the Congressionally supported Radio Free Asia Uyghur Service have suffered cruel reprisals as a result of their work, with more than 30 of their relatives detained or disappeared. This demonstrates the lengths the Chinese government is willing to go to silence Uyghurs, and is a direct challenge to the rights and well-being of U.S. citizens. U.S. leadership on the crisis, as it enters its third year, will pave the way for other governments and the United Nations to call the Chinese government to account and impose genuine consequences for Chinas trampling of international norms on a shocking scale. Many governments remain intimidated by Chinese threats of retaliation and reprisals. It is up to the U.S., the champion of liberal values and the country that did the most to lead the world out of the ashes of World War Two, to lead the way once again.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $20,000

Matched citations: H.R. 649

On behalf of 55 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about the nuanced religious freedom situation in Hungary and urge U.S. government leaders to raise this issue in private bilateral discussions with Hungarian officials. The Hungarian government should be urged to respect religious freedom for everyone, consistent with the 2017 Budapest Resolution, which included clear statements that condemn any action aimed at denying or curtailing the free exercising of basic human rights, with particular emphasis on violations of religious freedom; calls upon the worlds governments and international organizations to seek long-term solutions in order to end the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and to ensure the exercising of all human rights, including that of the free exercising of religion in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and urges common action on behalf of the worlds governments and international organizations to end atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities, and to implement immediate and concrete measures in accordance with that goal. On behalf of 43 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our serious concerns over the human rights violations and religious freedom abuses in The Peoples Republic of China. As the U.S. government seeks to counter China economically and militarily, we urge leaders to counter China morally as well, making these concerns a top priority in trade negotiations and ensuring that international religious liberty remains a top foreign policy priority with respect to China. For decades, the Communist Party of China has routinely violated the basic human rights of millions in their country by strictly controlling how many children a family can legally have, using extreme forms of technological surveillance to monitor their citizens, and seeking to control the speech of their citizens and snuff out the free exercise of religion. In the annual global human rights report, the State Department referred to Chinas re-education camps for Uyghur Muslims as some of the worst human rights violations since the 1930s, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that China was in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations. The broad efforts to sinicize all religious practice in China, from Islam to Christianity to Buddhism to Falun Gong, is directly inconsistent with international human rights and religious freedom norms, standards, and law. If unchallenged, these norms and standards will be eroded, threatening the lives and freedoms of millions more around the world who are subject to autocratic regimes. On behalf of 28 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about restrictions on religion in the Republic of Kazakhstan; and to urge U.S. government leaders to engage the Kazakh President and leaders of his government regarding the 2011 Religion Law and related amendments to the Criminal Code and Administrative Code, and urge them to amend the 2011 Religion Law and related articles in these Codes in order to bring them into conformity with international human rights standards, Kazakhstan's international commitments, and its own Constitution. On behalf of 23 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to urge swift action to take up two bills addressing the human-rights crisis in the Uyghur Region of China: the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019 (H.R. 649 and S. 178), and the Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response Act of 2019 H.R. 1025). Reports have now confirmed large-scale, highly secretive prisoner-transport to remote parts of the country. Many thousands of children are now experiencing their third year of separation from their parents through forced placement in state orphanage institutions. Reports of deaths in detention are increasing, despite the extreme secrecy preventing information from reaching the outside world. The State Departments December 4 Senate testimony provided an estimate of between 800,000 and possibly over two million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim communities detained in extralegal prison-camps for secret indefinite detention, where they are forced to denounce their religion and identity. They are subject to inhuman torture, withholding of medical care, food and water deprivation, humiliation and ill-treatment, as well as forced labor. The long arm of the Chinese governments repression also reaches Uyghurs living abroad, who are being pressured to return home, to remain silent about the human-rights crisis, or even to spy, through threats to their families. Six reporters working for the Congressionally supported Radio Free Asia Uyghur Service have suffered cruel reprisals as a result of their work, with more than 30 of their relatives detained or disappeared. This demonstrates the lengths the Chinese government is willing to go to silence Uyghurs, and is a direct challenge to the rights and well-being of U.S. citizens. U.S. leadership on the crisis, as it enters its third year, will pave the way for other governments and the United Nations to call the Chinese government to account and impose genuine consequences for Chinas trampling of international norms on a shocking scale. Many governments remain intimidated by Chinese threats of retaliation and reprisals. It is up to the U.S., the champion of liberal values and the country that did the most to lead the world out of the ashes of World War Two, to lead the way once again.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $20,000

Matched citations: S. 178

On behalf of 47 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to recommend with the utmost enthusiasm and urgency the prompt confirmation of Professor Robert A. Destro as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. We continue to face a world where broad human rights violations occur every day and where 83% of the world lives in places with high or very high levels of restrictions on the freedoms that religious minority groups take for granted here in the United States. The U.S. has a proud bipartisan tradition of standing for human rights and religious freedom. To do this effectively the State Department needs to be fully staffed with individuals who will press the human rights concerns at the center of our foreign policy. Congress has routinely passed laws that focus and support U.S. government efforts in this area. As participants of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable, we are particularly interested in the Frank Wolf Act, which places religious freedom as a high priority for protecting individuals of any or no faith. The first version of this Act established the International Religious Freedom [IRF] Office at the Department of State. Like the DRL, the important work of the IRF office has been built on a strong tradition of bipartisan collaboration and a shared vision of the inherent dignity of each person. While that office is ably led by Ambassador Sam Brownback, it also resides in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Without a confirmed Assistant Secretary to complete the chain of command and complement the excellent work of Ambassador Brownback to date, neither IRF nor DRL will be able to reach their full potential. Confirming the nominee for the office, Robert (Bob) Destro, would connect the religious freedom agenda with the broader human rights agenda in ways that were not possible before the passage of the Frank Wolf Act. DRL and IRF share a common Congressional mandate. On behalf of 41 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to ask for the mark-up of H. RES. 673, Expressing concern over attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt, and bring it to a full floor vote. This resolution, which Rep. Ros-Lehtinen supported as an original cosponsor, now has the strong bi-partisan backing of 47 Members of Congress, many of whom are members of the MENA subcommittee. During the Foreign Affairs Hearing, Egypt: Security, Human Rights, and Reform, which Rep. Ros - Lehtinen chaired on July 24, the expert witnesses presented compelling evidence of the decimation of civil society and increased persecution of religious minorities in Egypt, particularly the Copts. Copts are under attack in numerous ways; from the institutional and daily systematic discrimination to the intermittent terrorization such as church bombings that cause large casualties. This entrenched system of persecution is no less heinous in breaking Copts down into a state of submission and hopelessness. The US is now engaging Egypt in the fight against Islamist terrorism and stands to exercise its weight and moral values to promote equality, civil society, and religious freedom for all Egyptians. Egypts stability is vital, but Copts and civil society should not be the victims - or collateral damage - that pay the ultimate price in the war on terrorism. The recent Ministerial in support of international religious freedom has affirmed that international religious freedom has become an integral part of the US foreign policy. It is imperative to pass H. Res. 673 since it will send Egypt a message that this is not mere empty rhetoric. In this increasingly authoritarian environment in which minorities suffer, passing H. RES. 673 before the end of this session of Congress will send an important message to the Egyptian government that the Congress cares about the state of human rights and religious freedom in Egypt, and is willing to address it. On behalf of 34 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to recommend Syria policy as a key post-Ministerial initiative with the proactive goal of securing religious freedom, and related civil and political rights, for all Syrian citizens. Religious freedom in its fullest sense-equal rights for all regardless of faith or ethnicity-is the sole foundation for real democracy, peace, reconciliation, and stability in Syria. It is essential to attract millions of Syrian refugees to return home and stabilize minority populations, including Christians, who have called this area home for over 5,000 years. It can give some solace to those who suffered unspeakable atrocities, based on religious totalitarianism. On behalf of 74 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express deep concern about the deteriorating religious freedom situation in Nigeria; and to urge U.S. government leaders to appoint a Special Coordinator for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region. Nigeria, and indeed the region, face severe challenges. Nigeria is the largest country in Africa of 195 million people. What takes place in Nigeria does not stay in Nigeria, but rather impacts the surrounding countries as was seen in the tragic ambush of American soldiers in Niger. We believe that significant action is needed to confront these challenges or countries in the region could fracture, causing an extreme humanitarian crisis, immigration pressures on European allies and America, as well as security threats to our national interests in the region. We are very concerned about the violence that in some cases is motivated by religion or in other cases falls on ethno-religious fault lines. We are also concerned about the treatment of some Shia groups by the military. We think the United States Commission on International Religious Freedoms call to name Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern is correct. Of the top 25 most populous countries in the world, Nigeria had the highest level of social hostilities regarding religion according to Pews report last year. This year they are number two on the list. We hope the appointment of a well-respected and qualified person could then coordinate with Secretary of State Pompeo, Secretary of Defense General Mattis, International Religious Freedom Ambassador Brownback (whose energy, focus, and indeed trip to Nigeria have been excellent), UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, USAID Administrator Mark Green, Ambassador Bolton with the NSC, the various intelligence agencies, and excellent diplomats and Foreign Service Officers working in the relevant embassies. We would encourage such a position to make policy recommendations to the various agencies and team that has been assembled. We also hope that they would build key relationships with key officials and personnel in the regional governments already working on these issues. On behalf of 61 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express deep concern about the deteriorating religious freedom situation in Russia; and to urge U.S. government leaders to raise this issue in public statements and bilateral discussions, and leverage the growing network of foreign institutions that are eager to partner with the United States to advance international religious freedom. This fundamental right is in serious peril as the Russian government continues to foster an atmosphere of intolerance, discrimination and persecution against religious minorities throughout the entire country. The 2002 Extremism Law laid the foundation for an alarming trend in repressions against civil society and non-traditional minority religions. The law was initially passed to combat terrorism after 9/11 but it provides no clear definition for the term extremism, thus rendering virtually any group or individual vulnerable to political and legal harassment. In fact, it has been frequently misused to target a vast multitude of peaceful and law-abiding civil society organizations and individuals; to censor religious materials, arrest and detain believers for reading or disseminating Scriptures, refuse to register religious groups, harass and prosecute religious groups that are refused registration, and liquidate and close down places of worship for targeted religious faiths. Such oppressive measures have no place in a democratic society. Most recently, the Scientology religion, its parishioners and its religious and social organizations have become a primary target of this Russian national campaign of religious repression. The campaign has been chillingly wide-ranging. Russias Supreme Court has declared Jehovahs Witnesses, a Christian denomination that rejects violence, as extremist, confirming an order by the Justice Ministry that the group be liquidated and thereby banning them from operating on Russian territory. Further, Muslims, Evangelicals, Lutherans, Baptists, Pentecostals, Methodists, Presbyterians, Hindus, Buddhists and others have been targeted. In spite of the principles of non-discrimination and equal treatment at the heart of the UN Bill of Rights, the Russian Government is systematically using the Extremism Law to: 1) seize and censor peaceful religious scriptures read without incident the world over; 2) arrest and detain members of minority faiths for reading and disseminating these religious materials; and 3) initiate proceedings to liquidate and shut down religious organizations in order to disrupt and suppress their right to conduct religious activities in contravention of the fundamental human right to religious freedom. This misuse of the Extremism Law against religions has been widely criticized by the UN Human Rights Committee (28 April 2015), the Parliamentary Assembly Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europe (14 September 2012), and the Venice Commission (1 June 2012), which found the law and its use against religions violated human rights and called on Russia to correct the law. Over fifty cases regarding Russias misuse of the Extremism Law against religions have been filed by numerous religious groups before the European Court of Human Rights. Also made contacts to urge U.S. government leaders to raise the State Department's deep concerns about the growing number of individuals-now more than 150-identified by credible human rights organizations as political and religious prisoners held by the Government of the Russian Federation; about the welfare of four Ukrainians unjustly imprisoned who are currently on hunger strike-Oleh Sentsov, Stanislav Klykh, Oleksandr Shumkov, and Volodymyr Balukh; about the case of Oyub Titiyev, a human rights activist prosecuted on trumped-up drug charges in Chechnya, whose pre-trial detention was recently extended; about the fact that Russian authorities have detained Jehovahs Witness Dennis Christensen since May 2017; about the five Church of Scientology leaders who have also been subjected to detention without trial since June 2017, as well as over a dozen Muslim followers of Turkish theologian Said Nursi; and the State Department's all on Russia to release all those identified as political or religious prisoners immediately and cease its use of the legal system to suppress dissent and peaceful religious practice. The Russian people, like people everywhere, deserve equal treatment under the law and the ability to exercise their rights without fear of retribution. On behalf of 53 organizations and individuals, including the client, made contacts to urge the swift passage of H.R.390 - Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act of 2017. In the summer of 2017, the bill passed unanimously in the House of Representatives and out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Urged a vote on the consent calendar so we will be one step closer to providing recovery assistance to victims of the genocide committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). The Christian, Yazidi and other minority communities are either languishing in camps, some for almost three years, or choosing to seek refugee abroad because their towns and villages were decimated by ISIS. The situation is dire: families struggle to meet basic needs for nutrition, health, and education without a proper humanitarian assistance. Presently there are over 300,000 internally displaced Yazidis and some 90,000 Christian IDPs residing in deteriorating camps intended to be temporary shelters in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. With American help, these areas can redevelop and the native people can return. This not only helps all of Northern Iraq rebuild, but will deflect ISIS's attempt to erase these minorities. ISISs intentional destruction of homes, means of working, and places of worship was an act of genocide according to Article 2, section 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which defines genocide as Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part. ISIS targeted these minorities for extinction from their homelands through mass murder, the taking of over 7,000 sex slaves, and the razing of their homes, farms and places of worship. Unless these minorities return to their ancient homelands and make a life for themselves, ISISs genocide will be successful. Without the passage of H.R. 390 there is no Congressional guarantee that the United States is committed to ensuring these ancient minority religious communities will survive and return to their ancestral homelands. H.R. 390 should pass the Senate and move forward in the process before it is too late and the good work done by the House and the Foreign Relations Committee is lost. On behalf of 55 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about the nuanced religious freedom situation in Hungary and urge U.S. government leaders to raise this issue in private bilateral discussions with Hungarian officials. The Hungarian government should be urged to respect religious freedom for everyone, consistent with the 2017 Budapest Resolution, which included clear statements that condemn any action aimed at denying or curtailing the free exercising of basic human rights, with particular emphasis on violations of religious freedom; calls upon the worlds governments and international organizations to seek long-term solutions in order to end the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and to ensure the exercising of all human rights, including that of the free exercising of religion in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and urges common action on behalf of the worlds governments and international organizations to end atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities, and to implement immediate and concrete measures in accordance with that goal. On behalf of 28 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing deep concern about rising restrictions on religion in the Republic of Kazakhstan; and to urge U.S. government leaders to engage Kazakh President Nazarbayev and leaders of his government regarding the 2011 Religion Law and related amendments to the Criminal Code and Administrative Code, and urge them to amend the 2011 Religion Law and related articles in these Codes in order to bring them into conformity with international human rights standards, Kazakhstan's international commitments, and its own Constitution. Related to this, shared the Kazakhstan report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which recommends reforms to the 2011 Religion Law. The brief summary of this formal report on his mission to Kazakhstan stated: While acknowledging a general appreciation of religious diversity in the country, he noticed adverse attitudes towards some non-traditional religious communities. The State monitors religious activities strictly, with a view to preventing extremism and to combating sects deemed destructive to peoples well-being. Many of the measures adopted for this purpose are not in line with international standards of freedom of religion or belief. Moreover, the mandatory registration of religious communities, in conjunction with tightly knit stipulations, largely hampers free religious practice, which takes place in an atmosphere of legal insecurity. Further, the Special Rapporteurs conclusions include: 66. the 2011 Law on Religious Activity and Religious Associations shows restrictive features that are not in line with international standards of freedom of religion or belief. The most obvious problem concerns the mandatory status of official registration. Failure to obtain this status means that a religious community is deemed illegal, which has far-reaching negative repercussions on the enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief. Moreover, even those communities which are registered suffer to some extent from legal insecurity, inter alia due to the official confinement of permitted religious activities to certain predefined issues and territorial boundaries. In general, the 2011 Law is based on the assumption that the exercise of core aspects of freedom of religion depends on specific acts of Government approval - thereby turning the relationship between freedom and limitations, as generally understood in the framework of human rights, upside down. 67. While Kazakhstan has broadly embraced religious pluralism, members of non-traditional small religious communities, frequently branded as sects, continue to experience suspicion, mistrust and discrimination in society. Moreover, some provisions of the Criminal Code and of the Code on Administrative Offences - both the existing and the new Codes - which are aimed at combating religious hatred or religious extremism - are defined only vaguely, thus creating a climate of legal insecurity, which is further exacerbated by shortcomings in the handling of criminal procedures, long pretrial detention and related problems. Similar problems are associated with the 2005 Law on Countering Extremism. Finally, the Special Rapporteurs recommendations include: (a) The Special Rapporteur recommends that the Government consider amending the relevant provisions of the Constitution to bring them into line with article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (b) The Government should bring its constitutional provisions pertinent to freedom of religion or belief fully into line with article 18 of the Covenant and other relevant international human rights standards. (d) Above all, the Special Rapporteur would like to recommend far-reaching reforms of the 2011 Law on Religious Activity and Religious Associations based on an understanding that registration should be in the service of freedom of religion or belief which, due to its status as a universal human right, inheres in all human beings, prior to - and independent of - any specific acts of administrative approval. The most important consequence would be that registration should be an offer, not a mandatory requirement, for religious community practice. Non-registered communities must be able to operate free from discrimination and free from fear of intimidation. Also shared a recent UN Human Rights Committee decision that adopted views and conclusions that an individual-Viktor Yakovlevich Leven (the author)-was a victim of violations by Kazakhstan of his rights under Article 18 of the ICCPR. In the Consideration of the merits section of this decision against Kazakhstan are the following three points: 9.2 In the present case, the Committee notes that, not having been registered as a foreign missionary on behalf of his church, the author was convicted for conducting missionary activity, which consisted of preaching and praying and conducting meetings and religious rituals among the followers of the church 9.4 The Committee concludes that the punishment imposed on the author, and in particular its harsh consequences for the author, who is facing deportation, amount to a limitation of the authors right to manifest his religion under article 18, paragraph 1; that the limitation has not been shown to serve any legitimate purpose identified in article 18, paragraph 3; and neither has the State party shown that this sweeping limitation of the right to manifest religion is proportionate to any legitimate purpose that it might serve. The limitation therefore does not meet the requirements of article 18, paragraph 3, and the Committee accordingly finds that the authors rights under article 18, paragraph 1, have been violated. 10.The Human Rights Committee, acting under article 5, paragraph 4, of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, is of the view that the facts before it discloses a violation by the State party of the authors rights under article 18 of the Covenant. Also shared the UN Human Rights Committee's second periodic report of Kazakhstan. On July 11, 2016, the Committee adopted principal matters of concern and recommendations, including: 13.The Committee is concerned about the broad formulation of the concepts of extremism, inciting social or class hatred and religious hatred or enmity under the State partys criminal legislation and the use of such legislation on extremism to unduly restrict freedoms of religion, expression, assembly and association. It is also concerned about reports that counter-terrorism activities continue to target in particular members or presumed members of banned or unregistered Islamic groups, such as the Tabligh Jamaat. 14.The State party should bring its counter-terrorism and counter-extremism legislation and practices into full compliance with its obligations under the Covenant, inter alia by revising the relevant legislative provisions with a view to clarifying and narrowing the broad concepts referred to above, to ensure that they comply with the principles of legal certainty and predictability and that the application of such legislation does not suppress protected conduct and speech 47.The Committee is concerned about undue restrictions on the exercise of freedom of religious belief, including in the 2011 Law on Religious Activity and Religious Associations, such as the mandatory registration of religious organizations, the ban on unregistered religious activities, and the restrictions on the importation and distribution of religious materials. The Committee is further concerned about the use of broadly formulated crimes and administrative offences in the Criminal Code, including of articles 174 and 404, the Administrative Code, and the legislation on combating extremism to punish individuals exercising their freedom of religion and belief with severe sanctions. 48.The State party should guarantee the effective exercise of the freedom of religion and belief and freedom to manifest a religion or belief in practice. It should consider bringing article 22 of its Constitution in line with the Covenant and revise all relevant laws and practices with a view to removing all restrictions that go beyond the narrowly construed restrictions permitted under article 18 of the Covenant. Also shared the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) call for Kazakhstan to make revisions to the Religion Law. The call came in its Preliminary Opinion on the Draft Amendments to the Legal Framework On Countering Extremism and Terrorism in the Republic of Kazakhstan, issued on 6 October 2016: 80. UN human rights monitoring bodies have recently reiterated their concerns about undue restrictions on the exercise of the right to freedom of religion or belief imposed by the 2011 Law On Religious Activities and Religious Associations of Kazakhstan the Law On Religious Activities and Religious Associations should be revised to ensure that religious groups/organizations can be formed and operate freely even in the absence of registration or without the States prior approval.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $30,000

Matched citations: H.R. 390, H.R.390

On behalf of 47 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to recommend with the utmost enthusiasm and urgency the prompt confirmation of Professor Robert A. Destro as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. We continue to face a world where broad human rights violations occur every day and where 83% of the world lives in places with high or very high levels of restrictions on the freedoms that religious minority groups take for granted here in the United States. The U.S. has a proud bipartisan tradition of standing for human rights and religious freedom. To do this effectively the State Department needs to be fully staffed with individuals who will press the human rights concerns at the center of our foreign policy. Congress has routinely passed laws that focus and support U.S. government efforts in this area. As participants of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable, we are particularly interested in the Frank Wolf Act, which places religious freedom as a high priority for protecting individuals of any or no faith. The first version of this Act established the International Religious Freedom [IRF] Office at the Department of State. Like the DRL, the important work of the IRF office has been built on a strong tradition of bipartisan collaboration and a shared vision of the inherent dignity of each person. While that office is ably led by Ambassador Sam Brownback, it also resides in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Without a confirmed Assistant Secretary to complete the chain of command and complement the excellent work of Ambassador Brownback to date, neither IRF nor DRL will be able to reach their full potential. Confirming the nominee for the office, Robert (Bob) Destro, would connect the religious freedom agenda with the broader human rights agenda in ways that were not possible before the passage of the Frank Wolf Act. DRL and IRF share a common Congressional mandate. On behalf of 41 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to ask for the mark-up of H. RES. 673, Expressing concern over attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt, and bring it to a full floor vote. This resolution, which Rep. Ros-Lehtinen supported as an original cosponsor, now has the strong bi-partisan backing of 47 Members of Congress, many of whom are members of the MENA subcommittee. During the Foreign Affairs Hearing, Egypt: Security, Human Rights, and Reform, which Rep. Ros - Lehtinen chaired on July 24, the expert witnesses presented compelling evidence of the decimation of civil society and increased persecution of religious minorities in Egypt, particularly the Copts. Copts are under attack in numerous ways; from the institutional and daily systematic discrimination to the intermittent terrorization such as church bombings that cause large casualties. This entrenched system of persecution is no less heinous in breaking Copts down into a state of submission and hopelessness. The US is now engaging Egypt in the fight against Islamist terrorism and stands to exercise its weight and moral values to promote equality, civil society, and religious freedom for all Egyptians. Egypts stability is vital, but Copts and civil society should not be the victims - or collateral damage - that pay the ultimate price in the war on terrorism. The recent Ministerial in support of international religious freedom has affirmed that international religious freedom has become an integral part of the US foreign policy. It is imperative to pass H. Res. 673 since it will send Egypt a message that this is not mere empty rhetoric. In this increasingly authoritarian environment in which minorities suffer, passing H. RES. 673 before the end of this session of Congress will send an important message to the Egyptian government that the Congress cares about the state of human rights and religious freedom in Egypt, and is willing to address it. On behalf of 34 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to recommend Syria policy as a key post-Ministerial initiative with the proactive goal of securing religious freedom, and related civil and political rights, for all Syrian citizens. Religious freedom in its fullest sense-equal rights for all regardless of faith or ethnicity-is the sole foundation for real democracy, peace, reconciliation, and stability in Syria. It is essential to attract millions of Syrian refugees to return home and stabilize minority populations, including Christians, who have called this area home for over 5,000 years. It can give some solace to those who suffered unspeakable atrocities, based on religious totalitarianism. On behalf of 74 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express deep concern about the deteriorating religious freedom situation in Nigeria; and to urge U.S. government leaders to appoint a Special Coordinator for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region. Nigeria, and indeed the region, face severe challenges. Nigeria is the largest country in Africa of 195 million people. What takes place in Nigeria does not stay in Nigeria, but rather impacts the surrounding countries as was seen in the tragic ambush of American soldiers in Niger. We believe that significant action is needed to confront these challenges or countries in the region could fracture, causing an extreme humanitarian crisis, immigration pressures on European allies and America, as well as security threats to our national interests in the region. We are very concerned about the violence that in some cases is motivated by religion or in other cases falls on ethno-religious fault lines. We are also concerned about the treatment of some Shia groups by the military. We think the United States Commission on International Religious Freedoms call to name Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern is correct. Of the top 25 most populous countries in the world, Nigeria had the highest level of social hostilities regarding religion according to Pews report last year. This year they are number two on the list. We hope the appointment of a well-respected and qualified person could then coordinate with Secretary of State Pompeo, Secretary of Defense General Mattis, International Religious Freedom Ambassador Brownback (whose energy, focus, and indeed trip to Nigeria have been excellent), UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, USAID Administrator Mark Green, Ambassador Bolton with the NSC, the various intelligence agencies, and excellent diplomats and Foreign Service Officers working in the relevant embassies. We would encourage such a position to make policy recommendations to the various agencies and team that has been assembled. We also hope that they would build key relationships with key officials and personnel in the regional governments already working on these issues. On behalf of 61 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express deep concern about the deteriorating religious freedom situation in Russia; and to urge U.S. government leaders to raise this issue in public statements and bilateral discussions, and leverage the growing network of foreign institutions that are eager to partner with the United States to advance international religious freedom. This fundamental right is in serious peril as the Russian government continues to foster an atmosphere of intolerance, discrimination and persecution against religious minorities throughout the entire country. The 2002 Extremism Law laid the foundation for an alarming trend in repressions against civil society and non-traditional minority religions. The law was initially passed to combat terrorism after 9/11 but it provides no clear definition for the term extremism, thus rendering virtually any group or individual vulnerable to political and legal harassment. In fact, it has been frequently misused to target a vast multitude of peaceful and law-abiding civil society organizations and individuals; to censor religious materials, arrest and detain believers for reading or disseminating Scriptures, refuse to register religious groups, harass and prosecute religious groups that are refused registration, and liquidate and close down places of worship for targeted religious faiths. Such oppressive measures have no place in a democratic society. Most recently, the Scientology religion, its parishioners and its religious and social organizations have become a primary target of this Russian national campaign of religious repression. The campaign has been chillingly wide-ranging. Russias Supreme Court has declared Jehovahs Witnesses, a Christian denomination that rejects violence, as extremist, confirming an order by the Justice Ministry that the group be liquidated and thereby banning them from operating on Russian territory. Further, Muslims, Evangelicals, Lutherans, Baptists, Pentecostals, Methodists, Presbyterians, Hindus, Buddhists and others have been targeted. In spite of the principles of non-discrimination and equal treatment at the heart of the UN Bill of Rights, the Russian Government is systematically using the Extremism Law to: 1) seize and censor peaceful religious scriptures read without incident the world over; 2) arrest and detain members of minority faiths for reading and disseminating these religious materials; and 3) initiate proceedings to liquidate and shut down religious organizations in order to disrupt and suppress their right to conduct religious activities in contravention of the fundamental human right to religious freedom. This misuse of the Extremism Law against religions has been widely criticized by the UN Human Rights Committee (28 April 2015), the Parliamentary Assembly Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europe (14 September 2012), and the Venice Commission (1 June 2012), which found the law and its use against religions violated human rights and called on Russia to correct the law. Over fifty cases regarding Russias misuse of the Extremism Law against religions have been filed by numerous religious groups before the European Court of Human Rights. Also made contacts to urge U.S. government leaders to raise the State Department's deep concerns about the growing number of individuals-now more than 150-identified by credible human rights organizations as political and religious prisoners held by the Government of the Russian Federation; about the welfare of four Ukrainians unjustly imprisoned who are currently on hunger strike-Oleh Sentsov, Stanislav Klykh, Oleksandr Shumkov, and Volodymyr Balukh; about the case of Oyub Titiyev, a human rights activist prosecuted on trumped-up drug charges in Chechnya, whose pre-trial detention was recently extended; about the fact that Russian authorities have detained Jehovahs Witness Dennis Christensen since May 2017; about the five Church of Scientology leaders who have also been subjected to detention without trial since June 2017, as well as over a dozen Muslim followers of Turkish theologian Said Nursi; and the State Department's all on Russia to release all those identified as political or religious prisoners immediately and cease its use of the legal system to suppress dissent and peaceful religious practice. The Russian people, like people everywhere, deserve equal treatment under the law and the ability to exercise their rights without fear of retribution. On behalf of 53 organizations and individuals, including the client, made contacts to urge the swift passage of H.R.390 - Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act of 2017. In the summer of 2017, the bill passed unanimously in the House of Representatives and out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Urged a vote on the consent calendar so we will be one step closer to providing recovery assistance to victims of the genocide committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). The Christian, Yazidi and other minority communities are either languishing in camps, some for almost three years, or choosing to seek refugee abroad because their towns and villages were decimated by ISIS. The situation is dire: families struggle to meet basic needs for nutrition, health, and education without a proper humanitarian assistance. Presently there are over 300,000 internally displaced Yazidis and some 90,000 Christian IDPs residing in deteriorating camps intended to be temporary shelters in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. With American help, these areas can redevelop and the native people can return. This not only helps all of Northern Iraq rebuild, but will deflect ISIS's attempt to erase these minorities. ISISs intentional destruction of homes, means of working, and places of worship was an act of genocide according to Article 2, section 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which defines genocide as Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part. ISIS targeted these minorities for extinction from their homelands through mass murder, the taking of over 7,000 sex slaves, and the razing of their homes, farms and places of worship. Unless these minorities return to their ancient homelands and make a life for themselves, ISISs genocide will be successful. Without the passage of H.R. 390 there is no Congressional guarantee that the United States is committed to ensuring these ancient minority religious communities will survive and return to their ancestral homelands. H.R. 390 should pass the Senate and move forward in the process before it is too late and the good work done by the House and the Foreign Relations Committee is lost. On behalf of 55 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing concern about the nuanced religious freedom situation in Hungary and urge U.S. government leaders to raise this issue in private bilateral discussions with Hungarian officials. The Hungarian government should be urged to respect religious freedom for everyone, consistent with the 2017 Budapest Resolution, which included clear statements that condemn any action aimed at denying or curtailing the free exercising of basic human rights, with particular emphasis on violations of religious freedom; calls upon the worlds governments and international organizations to seek long-term solutions in order to end the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, and to ensure the exercising of all human rights, including that of the free exercising of religion in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and urges common action on behalf of the worlds governments and international organizations to end atrocities against Christians and other religious minorities, and to implement immediate and concrete measures in accordance with that goal. On behalf of 28 organizations and individuals, including the client, who signed a multi-faith letter, made contacts to express our continuing deep concern about rising restrictions on religion in the Republic of Kazakhstan; and to urge U.S. government leaders to engage Kazakh President Nazarbayev and leaders of his government regarding the 2011 Religion Law and related amendments to the Criminal Code and Administrative Code, and urge them to amend the 2011 Religion Law and related articles in these Codes in order to bring them into conformity with international human rights standards, Kazakhstan's international commitments, and its own Constitution. Related to this, shared the Kazakhstan report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which recommends reforms to the 2011 Religion Law. The brief summary of this formal report on his mission to Kazakhstan stated: While acknowledging a general appreciation of religious diversity in the country, he noticed adverse attitudes towards some non-traditional religious communities. The State monitors religious activities strictly, with a view to preventing extremism and to combating sects deemed destructive to peoples well-being. Many of the measures adopted for this purpose are not in line with international standards of freedom of religion or belief. Moreover, the mandatory registration of religious communities, in conjunction with tightly knit stipulations, largely hampers free religious practice, which takes place in an atmosphere of legal insecurity. Further, the Special Rapporteurs conclusions include: 66. the 2011 Law on Religious Activity and Religious Associations shows restrictive features that are not in line with international standards of freedom of religion or belief. The most obvious problem concerns the mandatory status of official registration. Failure to obtain this status means that a religious community is deemed illegal, which has far-reaching negative repercussions on the enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief. Moreover, even those communities which are registered suffer to some extent from legal insecurity, inter alia due to the official confinement of permitted religious activities to certain predefined issues and territorial boundaries. In general, the 2011 Law is based on the assumption that the exercise of core aspects of freedom of religion depends on specific acts of Government approval - thereby turning the relationship between freedom and limitations, as generally understood in the framework of human rights, upside down. 67. While Kazakhstan has broadly embraced religious pluralism, members of non-traditional small religious communities, frequently branded as sects, continue to experience suspicion, mistrust and discrimination in society. Moreover, some provisions of the Criminal Code and of the Code on Administrative Offences - both the existing and the new Codes - which are aimed at combating religious hatred or religious extremism - are defined only vaguely, thus creating a climate of legal insecurity, which is further exacerbated by shortcomings in the handling of criminal procedures, long pretrial detention and related problems. Similar problems are associated with the 2005 Law on Countering Extremism. Finally, the Special Rapporteurs recommendations include: (a) The Special Rapporteur recommends that the Government consider amending the relevant provisions of the Constitution to bring them into line with article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (b) The Government should bring its constitutional provisions pertinent to freedom of religion or belief fully into line with article 18 of the Covenant and other relevant international human rights standards. (d) Above all, the Special Rapporteur would like to recommend far-reaching reforms of the 2011 Law on Religious Activity and Religious Associations based on an understanding that registration should be in the service of freedom of religion or belief which, due to its status as a universal human right, inheres in all human beings, prior to - and independent of - any specific acts of administrative approval. The most important consequence would be that registration should be an offer, not a mandatory requirement, for religious community practice. Non-registered communities must be able to operate free from discrimination and free from fear of intimidation. Also shared a recent UN Human Rights Committee decision that adopted views and conclusions that an individual-Viktor Yakovlevich Leven (the author)-was a victim of violations by Kazakhstan of his rights under Article 18 of the ICCPR. In the Consideration of the merits section of this decision against Kazakhstan are the following three points: 9.2 In the present case, the Committee notes that, not having been registered as a foreign missionary on behalf of his church, the author was convicted for conducting missionary activity, which consisted of preaching and praying and conducting meetings and religious rituals among the followers of the church 9.4 The Committee concludes that the punishment imposed on the author, and in particular its harsh consequences for the author, who is facing deportation, amount to a limitation of the authors right to manifest his religion under article 18, paragraph 1; that the limitation has not been shown to serve any legitimate purpose identified in article 18, paragraph 3; and neither has the State party shown that this sweeping limitation of the right to manifest religion is proportionate to any legitimate purpose that it might serve. The limitation therefore does not meet the requirements of article 18, paragraph 3, and the Committee accordingly finds that the authors rights under article 18, paragraph 1, have been violated. 10.The Human Rights Committee, acting under article 5, paragraph 4, of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, is of the view that the facts before it discloses a violation by the State party of the authors rights under article 18 of the Covenant. Also shared the UN Human Rights Committee's second periodic report of Kazakhstan. On July 11, 2016, the Committee adopted principal matters of concern and recommendations, including: 13.The Committee is concerned about the broad formulation of the concepts of extremism, inciting social or class hatred and religious hatred or enmity under the State partys criminal legislation and the use of such legislation on extremism to unduly restrict freedoms of religion, expression, assembly and association. It is also concerned about reports that counter-terrorism activities continue to target in particular members or presumed members of banned or unregistered Islamic groups, such as the Tabligh Jamaat. 14.The State party should bring its counter-terrorism and counter-extremism legislation and practices into full compliance with its obligations under the Covenant, inter alia by revising the relevant legislative provisions with a view to clarifying and narrowing the broad concepts referred to above, to ensure that they comply with the principles of legal certainty and predictability and that the application of such legislation does not suppress protected conduct and speech 47.The Committee is concerned about undue restrictions on the exercise of freedom of religious belief, including in the 2011 Law on Religious Activity and Religious Associations, such as the mandatory registration of religious organizations, the ban on unregistered religious activities, and the restrictions on the importation and distribution of religious materials. The Committee is further concerned about the use of broadly formulated crimes and administrative offences in the Criminal Code, including of articles 174 and 404, the Administrative Code, and the legislation on combating extremism to punish individuals exercising their freedom of religion and belief with severe sanctions. 48.The State party should guarantee the effective exercise of the freedom of religion and belief and freedom to manifest a religion or belief in practice. It should consider bringing article 22 of its Constitution in line with the Covenant and revise all relevant laws and practices with a view to removing all restrictions that go beyond the narrowly construed restrictions permitted under article 18 of the Covenant. Also shared the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) call for Kazakhstan to make revisions to the Religion Law. The call came in its Preliminary Opinion on the Draft Amendments to the Legal Framework On Countering Extremism and Terrorism in the Republic of Kazakhstan, issued on 6 October 2016: 80. UN human rights monitoring bodies have recently reiterated their concerns about undue restrictions on the exercise of the right to freedom of religion or belief imposed by the 2011 Law On Religious Activities and Religious Associations of Kazakhstan the Law On Religious Activities and Religious Associations should be revised to ensure that religious groups/organizations can be formed and operate freely even in the absence of registration or without the States prior approval.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $30,000

Matched citations: H. RES. 673, H. Res. 673

Made contacts in support of: HR 5682, the Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act or the FIRST STEP Act. (Sec. 101) This bill amends the federal criminal code to direct the Department of Justice to establish a risk and needs assessment system to assess and classify the recidivism risk of prisoners; to guide housing, grouping, and program assignments; and to incentivize and reward participation in and completion of recidivism reduction programs and productive activities. (Sec. 102) The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) must implement the risk and needs assessment system. The bill modifies the computation of good time credit to allow a prisoner to earn a maximum of 54 days per year of the sentence imposed (instead of 54 days per year of the sentence actually served). (Sec. 103) The Government Accountability Office must audit the use of the risk and needs assessment system at BOP facilities. (Sec. 104) The bill authorizes funds for FY2019-FY2023 to carry out this title. Of the amount appropriated, 80% is reserved for use by the BOP to implement the risk and needs assessment system. (Sec. 105) The bill states that it does not authorize prerelease custody for an individual serving a prison term for a state offense. (Sec. 106) It prohibits discrimination against a program, treatment, regimen, group, company, charity, person, or entity based on the fact that it may be or is faith-based. Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act of 2018 (Sec. 202) The bill amends the federal criminal code to require the BOP to allow federal correctional officers to securely store and carry concealed firearms on BOP premises outside the security perimeter of a prison. (Sec. 301) The bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit, subject to specified conditions, the use of restraints on federal prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery. (Sec. 401) The bill amends the federal criminal code: - to direct the BOP to place a prisoner in a facility that is not more than 500 driving miles away from the prisoner's primary residence, subject to bed availability and the prisoner's security designation; and - to specify that the designation of a prison placement is not reviewable by a court. (Sec. 402) The BOP must place low-risk prisoners on home confinement for the maximum amount of time permitted. (Sec. 403) The bill amends the Second Chance Act of 2007 to reauthorize through FY2022 and modify eligibility for an elderly offender early release pilot program. (Sec. 404) The BOP must, as part of prerelease planning procedures, help a prisoner obtain identification, including a Social Security card, driver's license or other official photo identification, and a birth certificate. (Sec. 405) The bill authorizes Federal Prison Industries to sell products to new markets such as the District of Columbia government and nonprofit organizations. (Sec. 406) The BOP must incorporate specialized and comprehensive de-escalation procedures into its training programs. (Sec. 407) The BOP must report on its capacity to treat heroin and opioid abuse through evidence-based programs, including medication-assisted treatment. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts must report on the capacity of treatment-service providers to provide medication-assisted treatment for opioid and heroin abuse to prisoners serving a term of supervised release, including plans to expand access. (Sec. 408) The BOP must establish pilot programs: (1) on youth mentorship; and (2) on service to abandoned, rescued, or vulnerable animals. (Sec. 409) Probation and pretrial services officers must perform court-directed supervision of sex offenders conditionally released from civil commitment. (Sec. 410) The bill expands data collection requirements regarding the National Prisoner Statistics Program. (Sec. 411) The BOP must make tampons and sanitary napkins available free of charge. (Sec. 412) This bill amends the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 to require auditors who monitor compliance with national prison rape standards to be certified. (Sec. 413) The bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require at least 8% of funds for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program to be used to provide technical assistance. S 1917, the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act. A bill to reform sentencing laws and correctional institutions, and for other purposes. The legislation permits more judicial discretion at sentencing for offenders with minimal criminal histories and helps inmates successfully reenter society, while tightening penalties for violent criminals and preserving key prosecutorial tools for law enforcement. oThe Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017 narrows the scope of mandatory minimum prison sentences to focus on the most serious drug offenders and violent criminals, while broadening and establishing new outlets for individuals with minimal non-violent criminal histories that may trigger mandatory minimum sentences under current law. oThe bill also reduces certain mandatory minimums and provides judges with greater discretion when determining appropriate sentences. oUnder the bill, courts must first review eligible inmates individual cases, including criminal histories and conduct while incarcerated, before determining whether a sentence reduction is appropriate. oImportantly, the bill preserves cooperation incentives to aid law enforcement in tracking down kingpins and stiffens penalties for individuals convicted of serious violent felonies. oIn addition, the bill establishes recidivism reduction programs to help prepare low-risk inmates to successfully re-enter society. oQualifying inmates may receive reductions to their sentences through time credits upon successful completion of recidivism reduction programming. oThe bill also makes retroactive the Fair Sentencing Act and certain statutory reforms that address inequities in drug sentences. Courts must first review each eligible inmates case on an individualized basis, including criminal history and conduct while incarcerated, before determining whether a sentence reduction is appropriate. S 1994, the CORRECTIONS Act. A bill to reduce recidivism and increase public safety, and for other purposes. oThe Corrections Oversight, Recidivism Reduction, and Eliminating Costs for Taxpayers In Our National System (CORRECTIONS) Act is based on successful criminal justice reforms from states like Rhode Island and Texas that have lowered recidivism rates, reduced crime, and saved taxpayer dollars. oRisk Assessment: The bill requires the Department of Justice to develop risk assessment tools that will assess the recidivism risk of all eligible offenders. oReducing Prison Spending: The bill focuses limited Bureau of Prison resources on those most likely to commit future crimes and shifts lower-risk inmates to less restrictive conditions, reducing prison costs and freeing up resources for law enforcement. oExpanded Recidivism-Reduction Programming: The bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to provide evidence-based recidivism reduction programming to all eligible offenders. oPartnerships with Faith-Based and Community-Based Organizations: To promote efficient and effective recidivism reduction programming, the Bureau of Prisons must partner with private organizations, including non-profits, to enhance existing efforts. oCredit toward Prerelease Custody: To incentivize inmates to reduce their risk profile, the bill allows eligible inmates who successfully complete recidivism reduction programs to earn credit toward time in pre-release custody, but excludes serious violent criminals. oImproving Prisoner Reentry: The bill requires the federal probation office to begin planning for eligible offenders reentry at the beginning of the inmates sentence and requires the Justice Department to implement reentry pilot projects across the country. oCorrectional Officer Self-Protection Provision: The bill requires the warden of every federal prison facility to provide a secure storage facility for guards to secure firearms. oNational Criminal Justice Commission: The bill creates a national commission to review every aspect of the nations criminal justice system, which was last done in 1965. Also made contacts in support of: S. 3649, First Step Act. A bill to provide for programs to help reduce the risk that prisoners will recidivate upon release from prison, and for other purposes. This bill amends various provisions of law and sets forth new provisions: * to require the Department of Justice to establish and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to implement a risk and needs assessment system; * to modify the computation of good time credit; * to allow federal correctional officers to securely store and carry concealed firearms on BOP premises outside the security perimeter of a prison; * to limit the use of restraints on federal prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery; * to reduce mandatory minimum prison terms for certain nonviolent repeat drug offenses; * to broaden the existing safety valve to permit a sentence below the mandatory minimum for certain nonviolent, cooperative drug offenders with a limited criminal history; * to make the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 retroactive; * to require prisoners to be placed within 500 miles of their primary residence; * to require low-risk prisoners to be placed on home confinement for the maximum amount of time permitted; * to reauthorize through FY2022 and modify eligibility for an elderly offender early release pilot program; * to require the BOP to help prisoners obtain identification documents prior to release, to incorporate de-escalation procedures into training programs, and to make tampons and sanitary napkins available free of charge; * to authorize Federal Prison Industries to sell products to additional markets; * to require probation and pretrial services officers to perform court-directed supervision of sex offenders conditionally released from civil commitment; * to require the BOP to establish pilot programs on youth mentorship and service to abandoned, rescued, or vulnerable animals; and * to limit juvenile solitary confinement. S. 3747, First Step Act of 2018. A bill to provide for programs to help reduce the risk that prisoners will recidivate upon release from prison, and for other purposes. S. 756, First Step Act of 2018. Became Public Law No: 115-391 on December 21, 2019.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $30,000

Matched citations: HR 5682