U.S. ‘can and must do more’ to combat anti-Muslim hate, analysts say
by Mary McCue Bell · The Washington TimesSpecialists on religious bias against Muslims said Tuesday that the U.S. must do better when it comes to supporting religious freedom, warning against the normalization of prejudice.
Arsalan Suleman, a partner in Foley Hoag’s International Litigation & Arbitration Practice, told the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom during a hearing that the U.S. “can and must do more” to support international religious freedom and accountability for violations of religious freedom.
He also said the U.S. does not have a spotless domestic record on religious freedom and needs to improve it to set a positive example internationally.
“Too many U.S. politicians propagate hatred against Muslims and members of other religions,” Mr. Suleman said. “Such pernicious rhetoric must be condemned, and we should ensure that those fleeing religious persecution abroad are able to seek asylum in our country, rather than face categorical exclusion.”
There have been recent examples of anti-Muslim rhetoric in Congress, such as Rep. Randy Fine, Florida Republican, saying on social media: “We need more Islamophobia, not less. Fear of Islam is rational.”
Both Mr. Suleman and Vicky Hartzler, chair of the commission, said action to combat violence against Muslims has significant U.S. national security implications, with Ms. Hartzler citing the Trump administration’s bilateral and multilateral relations with Muslim-majority governments, particularly those in the Middle East.
“In abandoning our international leadership role on this issue, we are promoting lawlessness internationally,” Mr. Suleman said. “If we fail to end impunity at home and abroad, then cycles of violence and atrocities will continue to occur with devastating consequences.”
The commission is an independent, bipartisan body that monitors religious freedom abroad and makes policy recommendations to the federal government.
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Rep. French Hill said in a video message that central to his Catholic faith is that everyone deserves to worship freely without fear of harassment, imprisonment or violence, “not just those who believe what I believe.”
“The United States must stand firmly on the side of freedom of religion or belief for everyone, everywhere,” the Arkansas Republican said.
Mr. Suleman’s recommendations are threefold: The U.S. must consistently and impartially apply existing tools to combat religious freedom violations, support and strengthen international mechanisms for accountability, and make justice and accountability national security priorities.
The U.S. can also strengthen its domestic criminal law for accountability purposes, he said. While federal law allows for the potential criminal prosecution of genocide and war crimes, the U.S. does not have legislation that would allow prosecution of those responsible for crimes against humanity.
Internationally, he said the U.S. should cease destructive and counterproductive efforts against multilateral human rights institutions, including not sanctioning the International Criminal Court. Mr. Suleman also cautioned against President Trump’s initiatives to withdraw the U.S. from international bodies that document attacks on religious freedom, such as the United Nations Human Rights Council.
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Existing tools that can also combat religious freedom violations include sanctions, suspensions of aid, trade consequences, diplomatic censure and other political expressions of condemnation, Mr. Suleman said.
• Mary McCue Bell can be reached at mbell@washingtontimes.com.