The US Senate has unanimously approved Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Act of 2024, which extends the commission for two years.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is a federal agency created by the 1988 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) to monitor religious freedom abroad.
USCIRF’s mandate is set to expire at the end of this month.
Senator Rubio commended USCIRF’s work, claiming USCIRF serves to defend religious liberty worldwide.
“The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom remains a vital tool in defending religious liberties worldwide,” said Rubio.
USCIRF’s duties include publishing country-specific reports on religious freedom encroachment by governments.
Reports have covered incarceration of clergy, persecution of religious minorities, and other religion-related government affronts.
“From the horrific rise in antisemitism, to the ongoing acts of genocide Uyghurs face, and the religious persecution of Catholics in Nicaragua, we must remain firm in raising our voices against these horrors,” continued Rubio.
USCIRF’s latest report condemns religious freedom erosion in Cuba.
The report outlines how Cuba’s government has increased the surveillance of religious groups and limited their worship abilities through threats and fines.
According to USCIRF, Cuba “criminalizes religious activities and expression that the government perceives to be out of step with its ideology.”
US-Cuba relations have soured during President Joe Biden‘s administration as the Communist Island has hosted Russian warships and housed Chinese intelligence officials.
Earlier this year, American media warned of Russian and Chinese military operations in Cuba, which sits less than 100 miles from the US mainland.
Russian navy ships docked in Cuba for several days to the alarm of US military officers and lawmakers.
China has meanwhile been reportedly developing a surveillance base on the island.
